All programmes conducted in the Youth Centres follow the principles of non-formal education, which supports the Finnish curriculum and children’s active learning through careful planning and execution of activities outside the traditional school environment. We offer ready-made programmes, or programmes can be tailor-made for each group, leaning on Finnish values and education while also taking the group’s background into account.
We offer a variety of different activities to choose from, and our professionals can help you to create the best educational experience in Finland by providing expert recommendations. Please ask the Youth Centre if a visit to a local school or joint activities with local peers can be arranged also.
Activity-based learning methods
Finnish Youth Centres welcome international visitors to learn about activity-based learning methods, adventure education and environmental issues. We are the hub of outdoor education, where schoolchildren, families, education professionals, and government and municipal education officials can explore Finnish nature and enjoy our educational services in a safe and positive atmosphere.
Please download the leaflet about Adventure and Outdoor Education in English (pdf)
Experiental learning
Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, more specifically defined as ‘learning through reflection on doing‘. Skills, knowledge, and experience are acquired outside the traditional academic classroom setting.
Experiential learning focuses on the individual’s learning process, which is based on four main elements operating in a continuous cycle during the learning experience:
- Concrete experience
- Reflective observation
- Abstract conceptualisation
- Active experimentation
Training in the Spirit of Lifelong Learning
All Finnish Youth Centres are perfectly situated for inspiring outdoor activities. Our centres offer safe and attractive facilities for school camping groups. Children can learn about Finnish culture, lifestyle, and nature and improve their learning, teamwork, self-reflection and social skills, which will help them move forward in life with confidence.
We provide a safe yet inspiring experience by tailoring our activities based on the individual skills of the participants’ within the visiting groups. For us, group dynamics, children’s self-esteem, personal growth and social skills are of the utmost importance. Children return home with more holistic learning abilities, lovely memories and useful experiences they will treasure for life.
At the Finnish Youth Centres, we welcome education professionals to learn new professional skills by exploring the process of experiential learning in peaceful surroundings of lakes, forests, hills, and Arctic nature. We make use of Finland’s beautiful nature and its four seasons in the fresh Finnish countryside when applying experiential learning methods. Our approach focuses on environmental education and adventure education, as well as different school subjects, in a holistic way.