summer camps teenage kids

Kvelavineyard · Post by **Kvelavineyard** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 12:44 am

Hi we are an American family of Finnish descent and are planning on visiting Europe this summer. Our kids are 15 and 13, a boy and a girl. They get a little tired of traveling with us and like to have some time with kids their own age. They are interested in attending camp for a week or two and we would like for them to know more about their heritage. They don't speak Finnish, but are very friendly and well traveled so we think they could learn some key terms and be fine. Does anyone know of a camps for teenagers in Finland, near Helsinki?

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onkko · Post by **onkko** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:41 am

13 may be too young for this but 15 is right age.
If you are looking for your roots/finnish heritage then i would recommend rippileiri.
I know 15 is old enough, thats normal age to go, but 13 can be too young, im not sure. That youll have to check.

Here is somekind of list of who do rippileiri or similar http://www.uskonnonvapaus.fi/lapset/aik ... eirit.html

It is christian thing and will have jesus and fellows in it. It comes from ages ago when rippikoulu was actual way to become adult and have right to marry etc.
And for heritage, 90% of finns do that

In page i linked there is some noncristian who want to give change so jesus dont apply on those.

Jukka Aho · Post by **Jukka Aho** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:07 am

Kvelavineyard wrote:Hi we are an American family of Finnish descent and are planning on visiting Europe this summer. Our kids are 15 and 13, a boy and a girl. They get a little tired of traveling with us and like to have some time with kids their own age. They are interested in attending camp for a week or two and we would like for them to know more about their heritage. They don't speak Finnish, but are very friendly and well traveled so we think they could learn some key terms and be fine. Does anyone know of a camps for teenagers in Finland, near Helsinki?

You might be able to find something on this site. They will probably be adding more camps in the coming months. When you click on the entries, the “leiriläisten syntymäajat” field contains a range of birthdates (in DD.MM.YYYY format) which indicates the intended age group.

Also try this search (and Google Translate if you’re having trouble with your Finnish.)

Eliss · Post by **Eliss** » Sun Jan 29, 2012 7:48 pm

I suggest also checking scouting camps.
www.huima2012.fi (near capital area)
www.saraste2012.fi (near capital area)
www.suunta12.fi (eastern finland)

Scouting in Finland is not politic or religious hobby and you can take part in camps even if you are not member of scout movement.
There will be guests around the world and directions will be also in english. So its easy to come with! Lot of action and programm to kids and youngters.

cybersniffer · Post by **cybersniffer** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 1:39 pm

Kvelavineyard wrote:Hi we are an American family of Finnish descent and are planning on visiting Europe this summer. Our kids are 15 and 13, a boy and a girl. They get a little tired of traveling with us and like to have some time with kids their own age. They are interested in attending camp for a week or two and we would like for them to know more about their heritage. They don't speak Finnish, but are very friendly and well traveled so we think they could learn some key terms and be fine. Does anyone know of a academic summer camps for teenagers in Finland, near Helsinki?

Musiikkitalon edusta, Luukin leirikeskus, Spurtti these are some good summer camps for kids.

tuttu · Post by **tuttu** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 11:31 am

dear op, to answer your question: yes, there's loads and loads!!!
also i think most will be happy to take non-finnish speakers (both the organisers and the kids), but maybe not so many are actually able to provide activities in english.

just adding one more link to the pool: http://juurielo.fi/ (website is a little outdated, but they're still active)

mike1234 · Post by **mike1234** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 2:13 pm

Kvelavineyard wrote:Hi we are an American family of Finnish descent and are planning on visiting Europe this summer. Our kids are 15 and 13, a boy and a girl. They get a little tired of traveling with us and like to have some time with kids their own age. They are interested in attending camp for a week or two and we would like for them to know more about their heritage. They don't speak Finnish, but are very friendly and well traveled so we think they could learn some key terms and be fine. Does anyone know an Academic Summer Programs for teenagers in Finland, near Helsinki?

International Millennium Youth Camp this is the most popular camp in Finland if you want to know more about this camp then visit: http://www.luma.fi/helsinki-en/4334

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