Camp program
What are Kuru’s summer camps made of? Camp days in Kuru are made of new and old friends, familiar and trustworthy counselors, swimming, somersaults, and paddling in a pedal boat, games, the classic programs of Kuru summer camp as well as new experiences and adventures, fun competitions, laugh-inducing program activities, art, petting the camp center’s animals, and just the right amount of free time. In the evenings, the program often includes relaxing by the campfire, roasting sausages, singing and playing music, and a shared moment of winding down before bedtime.
At the camp center, delicious and healthy meals are served five times a day, so hunger won’t catch you even during the most action-packed activities. The quiet-time during night ensures that everyone gets enough sleep. At summer camps, the focus is on enjoying the summer, so electronic devices can only be used during designated phone times throughout the camp day (except for the trip to Särkänniemi).
On all of our camps lasting at least five days, we organize a trip to the Särkänniemi amusement park. The camp fee includes a private bus ride to and from Särkänniemi as well as packed meals for the day. The amusement park park pass is not included in the camp fee, but it can be purchased at a discounted group rate when registering for the camp. At Särkänniemi, campers have a designated meeting point where a counselor is present throughout the trip. The counselor can always be contacted either at the meeting point or by phone. Campers are free to explore Särkänniemi on their own or accompany the counselor.
Example of a day at camp
8:00 – Wake-up, morning routine, and breakfast
9:30 – Playful tent inspection by the counselors
10:00–11:30 – Workshops (options include crafts, ball games, fishing, or animal care)
12:00 – Lunch
13:00–14:30 – Swimming and sauna
15:00 – Snack
15:30 – Tent time with your own tent group and counselor (e.g., games or reading, based on campers’ wishes)
16:00–17:30 – Camp Olympics
17:30 – Dinner
18:00–19:00 – Phone time
19:30–20:30 – Evening show (skits performed by counselors, music quiz, and sing-alongs)
20:30 – Evening snack and wash-up
21:30 – Evening gathering (shared bedtime story and wind-down time)
22:00 – Lights out
For youth camps (ages 12–15 & 14–17), the daily schedule can be adjusted to suit the age group, allowing campers to wake up an hour later and go to bed an hour later.
The camp center
Kuru Camp Center is located in the village of Länsi-Teisko in Ylöjärvi, 45 km north of Tampere. The charming rural setting by Lake Näsijärvi provides a beautiful backdrop for new adventures.
The camp center consists of the Upper Yard, the Tent Village, and the Lakeside Area. The Upper Yard includes the main building (cafeteria, kitchen, nurse-counselor’s room, chamber, office, and restrooms), the Huvikumpu building for staff accommodation, and an old barn. The Upper Yard also features a parking area and an upper field equipped with volleyball and badminton nets. Depending on the year, the camp’s animals may also reside near the Upper Yard.
The heart of the camp is the Tent Village, where campers stay in large tents accommodating 3–8 people. The tents have double-layered roofs and raised wooden floors. Next to the Tent Village is an old log building, Mäkitupa, where campers can play ping pong and table football, as well as do arts and crafts. The Tent Village area also includes a lower field equipped with soccer goals.
The camp’s own sandy beach, large pier, and two saunas provide perfect conditions for swimming and relaxation. A fireplace lounge is located next to the saunas. Near the beach, there is also a campfire site for shared evening fires. Access to the beach and saunas is supervised at all times.
Staff
During the summer season, our staff is made up of two camp teams that alternate between odd- and even-numbered camps. Each team includes an assistant director, a nurse-counselor, and five camp counselors. Meals at the camp are prepared by a two-person kitchen team. In addition to the camp teams, the organization employs a year-round director and assistant director, one of whom is present at the camp during the sessions to oversee daily operations.
The counselors at Kuru summer camps are mainly students or graduates in education or social fields. We require all counselors to have previous experience working with children or youth. The camper-to-counselor ratio is at most 6–7 campers per counselor, allowing staff to give daily individual attention to each camper. We provide all staff with an orientation covering topics such as first aid and camp safety. At Kuru, every staff member is a safe adult whom campers can turn to in any situation.
Kurun kesäleiri 