The adventure begins here! Participants will be divided into teams, the rules and safety instructions will be reviewed, and equipment and maps will be distributed.
Each team will be given a car and communication equipment. The teams will then be sent on their way towards central Finland.
They will arrive in the LAG Viisari area in central Finland in the evening.
Adventurers as DIY artists (organised by the Union of Rural Education and Culture)
Modern Finnish folk art has come to be known by its Finnish acronym ‘ITE art’, or ‘DIY art’ (do-it-yourself). DIY art is handy and inventive, and now you can try it yourself with expert instructors: everyone can be creative! What kind of DIY art will a multicultural group produce?
- Read more about DIY art (in finnish)
Fact or fiction? (organised by Teatteri Lumpero)
What is fact and what is fiction is the question as actors try their best to test the participants’ knowledge of Finland. Finland is the land of a thousand lakes – or is it? No better place to find out than on the shore of a lake. We will also be meeting Finland’s M.I.P. (Most Important Person). Now who could that be?
Nopola News (organised by Kyyjärven Mediamyllärit)
Today, people have become accustomed to publishing all kinds of things about themselves online: their hobbies, their work and their leisure time. There is a niche for grass-roots journalism, and in this part of the world it is Nopola News (www.nopolanews.fi). You will be invited to write for an online publication and to make an online TV broadcast. Remember to tell your friends back home!
- Get to know with Nopola News
At the summit of Täivuori (organised by the Viitasaari 4H Club)
Forests, nature and landscape seen from 177 m above sea level. The observation tower on Täivuori hill has a breathtakingly beautiful view. But what if there is something hidden within sight and the team needs to find it? Can you shout loud enough to give instructions? Can you manage to tear your eyes away from the beauty of the landscape?
Hiekan Hippos (organised by Pihtiputaan Hevosystäväinseura)
Who will be the best racehorse at Hiekan Hippos and win the coveted blanket? This task calls for dexterity and speed. Will the winner be a native Finnish horse or perhaps a pony? Everything is possible in this race, and Hiekan Hippos has plenty to see and do. Take it straight from the horse’s mouth: you will not be bored!
Row on the lake
The adventurers will be rowing a traditional church boat through a lovely lake landscape.
Carry the wife!
Wife-carrying is a traditional sport in Savo. Who will be the best wife-carrier? (She does not actually have to be married to you, though!)
- For more information, visit http://www.eukonkanto.fi/en/
Logging and folk tradition
The adventurers will join a logging crew in the magnificent setting of Koirakoski rapids. The activity point will be organised by the local parish and scouts. Shooting the rapids, canoe paddling, hiking and skill tests will be on the programme.
Who is the best racing driver?
The adventurers will race pedal cars and tractors.Climb the wallsA parkour activity point inviting participants to move innovatively and suavely through our everyday environment. You will literally be climbing up walls.
- Further information on parkour: www.parkour.fi (in finnish)
Downhill all the way
Downhill car racing for all teams in Outokumpu, down the main street from the top of the mine hill.
Down below
The adventurers will visit a mine and its tower, drive a mine train or practice their golf.
Karaoke, robots and Santa
Sing karaoke, program robots and relax, fishing and boating. How well can you do in a Santa Claus class?
How do Finns dance? What is a vihta?
The adventurers will be taught how to dance Finnish folk dances, how to make a ‘vihta’ (a birch whisk used in the sauna) for the entire team and how to bake bread.
Life at a village homestead
Visit a village homestead, make something out of birch bark or carve a bird house, and practice putting out a fire with young rescue services volunteers.
As night falls, all teams will participate in the Night Mushroom competition. How can you find Finland’s celebrated delicacy, the cep (porcini) in the dark?
300 points? (organised by Simpeleen Keilaajat)
Finland’s smallest automated bowling alley invites you to topple some pins. Small it may be, but there is plenty of atmosphere.
Old geezer carting (organised by Kultu)
The attractive environment of Helenansaari provides the setting for a fast-paced sport in which even world championships have been held. A man sits in a milk cart and a woman pushes him around as fast as she can.
Bewitched by water (organised by Särkisalmen VPK)
The voluntary fire brigade is the bastion of the countryside. Here, you get to be a fireman for a while. We will be putting out a fire that is ‘threatening’ the village of Särkisalmi.
Preserving the landscape (organised by Tarnalan kyläyhdistys)
Tarnala village is nationally acknowledged for its beauty. You will have a chance to capture it in an image on Kupolanmäki hill.
Measuring the trees (organised by Anita and Mika Kokko)
Trees grow tall, but how tall? Here you will learn how to estimate tree height from ground level. We will also be acquainting you with firewood, an important source of heat in our Arctic climate. The entrepreneurs organising this activity have built a firewood hall that we will visit.
Plant a tree (organised by the South Karelia Forest Management Association)
Forests are Finland’s economic cornerstone. We will be visiting the area that suffered massive storm damage in summer 2010. Everyone will have the chance to plant a tree seedling.
Amaze Me Leader final party
