Educational Adventures in Finland

Metsäkartano — Nature Haven by Tiilikkajärvi National Park

Premium Outdoor Learning • Unique Wilderness Experiences • Lifelong Memories

Plan Your Adventure → sales@metsakartano.com

Welcome

Discover the magic of Finnish winter at Metsäkartano, a nature haven located on a peaceful lakeside peninsula next to Tiilikkajärvi National Park.

Metsäkartano is one of eight national youth centres approved by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. We provide safe, sustainable, and inspiring school camps, youth programmes, and educational tours — designed to connect learning with the outdoors.

With nearly 40 years of experience and over 100 groups visiting annually, we are one of Finland's leading providers of educational camps and school trips. Here, learning moves beyond the classroom into the heart of nature — through hands-on activities, exploration, and shared adventures.

Learn • Explore • Connect

Our programmes are based on experiential and progressive education methods. Guided by professional instructors, students and groups strengthen teamwork, problem-solving, creativity, and social skills while immersed in Finland's pure wilderness.

We design every experience with you to reflect your group's goals.

Students connect with nature, learn practical outdoor skills, and experience authentic Finnish life — from saunas and lakes to forests and starry skies.

Safe, eco-friendly full-board accommodation is included, with dietary needs fully catered. Each programme is tailored to your group's learning objectives.

Have you ever sat around a glowing campfire, sharing stories or simply reflecting in nature’s beauty? It’s a moment that creates life-long memories.

Why Choose Metsäkartano

Learning & Skills

Premium Outdoor Learning – Education beyond the classroom, learning through experience and exploration.
Safe and Personalised – Larger groups are divided into smaller teams of 15–20 to ensure safety and individual attention.
Tailor-Made Programmes – Every itinerary is customised to match your group's goals and schedule.

Experiences

Authentic Finnish Experiences – Visit a local school, relax in a traditional sauna, bake Karelian pasties, and discover Finnish crafts.
Exclusive Adventures – Dog sledding, snow sculpting, curling on frozen lakes, ice fishing, canoeing, and other unforgettable experiences.
Breathtaking Environment – Snowy forests, frozen lakes, vibrant autumn colors, and endless starry skies, perfect for reflection, exploration, and connecting with nature.

Safety & Sustainability

Safe, Green, and a Little Wild – Eco-friendly full-board stays with trained guides ensuring safety and peace of mind.
Focus on Sustainability – Learn about ecology, sustainability, and Finnish culture through hands-on activities.
Seamless Logistics – We provide comfortable transfers from the nearest airports, train stations, or other arrival points.
Certificate of Completion – Every student receives an official Metsäkartano Educational Travel Certificate

Virtual Tour of Metsäkartano

Seasonal Adventures

We design an all-inclusive programme tailored to your group’s goals and the season’s unique character.

Autumn: Paddle, hike, and enjoy Finnish-style hygge among the vibrant colours of forests and lakes. Observe seasonal changes, engage in creative outdoor projects, and reflect in nature’s beauty.
Winter: Experience the polar night (kaamos), when short days glow with soft, mystical light. Explore snow-covered landscapes, try classic Finnish winter sports, practise outdoor skills, and enjoy evenings around the campfire — sometimes beneath the Northern Lights.
Late Winter / Early Spring: Enjoy snow sparkling under bright sunlight, frozen lakes shimmering, and forests beginning to awaken. Perfect for hands-on winter activities, quiet reflection, and experiencing the serene beauty of Finnish nature before the thaw.

Signature Programmes

7-day Falling for Autumn

Paddle, hike, and enjoy Finnish-style hygge among the autumn colours of forests and lakes.

Activities: Canoeing, hiking through forests; exploring Pumpulikirkko gorge, campfire cooking; baking Karelian pies; Finnish sauna, nature art; candlelit trail & fire sculpture show.

Learning focus: Connecting with nature, observation and reflection, outdoor skills, teamwork through creative activities, and experiencing Finnish seasonal traditions.

7-Day Winter Explorer

A week-long introduction to Nordic winter life and outdoor learning.

Activities: Animal tracking, cross-country skiing; campfire cooking, snow sculpting, wall climbing, tobogganing, baking Karelian pies.
Learning focus: Winter ecology and wildlife; practical outdoor skills; survival and navigation in snow; teamwork in winter conditions; traditional crafts.

7-Day Adventure Deluxe

A premium winter programme combining Winter Explorer highlights with unique Finnish experiences.
Activities: Winter Explorer activities plus dog sledding, curling, soapstone jewellery workshop, winter fishing, storytelling under the stars / Northern Lights.
Learning focus: Winter ecology and outdoor skills; teamwork in winter conditions; traditional crafts; experiencing unique Finnish winter activities and cultural traditions.

Note: Activities may vary depending on weather and availability

Pricing – Tailor-made packages to suit your group’s needs. Contact us for a personalised quote.

Accommodation & Practical Information

Location: Metsäkartanontie 700, 73900 Rautavaara, Finland

Group Size: We accommodate both small and large groups. Larger groups are split into smaller teams of 15–20 to provide personalised attention and a safe learning environment.

Accommodation: Enjoy a secure, eco-friendly full-board stay with all dietary requirements carefully accommodated. Our cosy Wilderness Hotels can host up to 86 guests, holiday apartments up to 41, Metsäpirtti Cottage up to 22, and Metsäkämppä Cottage up to 26. Read more here.

Suitability: Ideal for schools, student groups, youth organisations, and educational professionals

Transportation: Comfortable transfers available from nearby airports and train stations

Equipment Rental

Summer	2 hours	1 day
Canoe (incl. paddles, life jackets)	6 €	20 €
Row boat (incl. oars, life jackets)	6 €	20 €
Bicycle (incl. helmet)	6 €	20 €
SUP board (incl. paddles, life jackets)	20 €
Winter
Snow shoes	6 €	20 €
Sliding snow shoes	6 €	40 €
Kick sled	6 €	20 €
Cross country skiing set	6 €	20 €

Places to visit and activities to do on your own

Adventurous playground
Parkour course
Pump track
Long sandy beach for swimming
Frisbee golf course
Football
Volleyball
Nature and hiking trails
Mountain biking trails
Cross-country skiing tracks
Geocaches
Fishing / ice fishing
Berry and mushroom picking
Snow shoeing & sliding snow shoeing
Sledding
SUP boarding (extra charge)
Outdoor cooking places (some at an extra charge)
Traditional Finnish wood-heated sauna by the lake (extra charge)

Games and equipment to borrow from the reception for free

Sledges
Board games (...)
Finnish outdoor games ("Mölökky", "Hyrlinki")
Nordic walking poles
Frisbee golf discs
Footballs
Volleyballs

Your Educational Journey

At Metsäkartano, learning is immersive and adventure-driven.

Our programmes strengthen students' global awareness, develop practical life skills, and leadership through hands-on outdoor learning in an authentic natural environment.

We believe true growth happens when young people connect with nature and challenge themselves through meaningful experiences.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do

At Metsäkartano, we believe that true learning happens in harmony with nature. Our commitment to sustainability is recognised with the Green Key certificate, the Sustainable Travel Finland label, and the Social Enterprise mark.

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime educational adventure — where every step respects the environment.

What Our Visitors Say

“The team’s friendliness and dedication created an atmosphere where everyone felt at ease, allowing us to fully enjoy the breathtaking winter landscape and all the exciting activities.”

“Whether it was guiding us through outdoor adventures or ensuring that every detail was taken care of, the staff’s enthusiasm and attention to detail were evident throughout our stay. Their efforts left us with unforgettable memories that we will cherish for years to come.”

“This expedition was a once-in-a-lifetime experience—students got closer to nature, learned new skills, and discovered more about themselves in an inspiring Finnish environment.”

— Gravesend Grammar School, Winter Explorer 2025

Highlights from their trip:

Dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing
Northern Lights viewing and snow sculpting
Traditional Finnish experiences like Karelian pasty baking and traditional sauna visits
Team-building and leadership activities in a winter wonderland