Building the Camp
The camp is initially built during a pre-camp construction phase and completed by participants upon arrival. Participants set up their own tents. Each camp troop can arrange their area as they prefer, including spaces for leisure, storage, and a troop gate.
Camp Staff and Service Team
The camp is entirely run by volunteers from the Camp Staff, Service Team, and Camp Troop Leaders. There are no paid personnel, and everyone has paid the participation fee.
All participants over 18 have camp assignments either as part of the Service Team or as leaders in the camp troop. Both groups will have reasonable working hours (around 8-10 hours per day) and 1-2 days off, with available leisure activities. In Finland, anyone over 18 is referred to as a ”leader.”
Sleeping and living at Satahanka
Everyone sleeps in tents. Hammocks are not an option in this area. Finnish camps typically lack small tents due to limited space and safety distance between the tents. Your international group will join Finnish scouts and guides in forming a camp troop. Sleeping arrangements will be coordinated with the Finns. While Finnish safe from harm regulations are liberal, we will honour national regulations for international groups as best as possible.
Eating
Satahanka has one kitchen which serves all campers. A central kitchen provides food 4 times/day. There are also cafés at the camp site. There are no troop-based kitchens at all. There is also a special dietary kitchen in the same place, serving those with allergies or special diets. So, there is something for everyone to eat during the camp. In addition, some meals are eaten on hikes and sailing trips.
There will be enough food to go around, and the nutrition planning will be carefully done for the camp conditions. All food at the event is lactose-free vegetarian. The Guides and Scouts of Finland is committed as an organisation to strive for carbon neutrality by 2030. Food is a major source of emissions at events, so as a concrete measure we are committed to providing vegetarian food.
Washing facilities
Washing facilities are showers and saunas. There will also be opportunities to go swimming in the sea (if the weather conditions are ok). The saunas are allowed for all participants and usually mixed-gender with swimming suits on.
Personnal equipment
Expect weather from sunny 30C to rainy, windy 5C. Bring clothes and shoes for rain and cold. Nights can be chilly: pack a warm sleeping bag and proper camping mattress.
Finnish guides and scouts pack woollen socks, mittens, a hat, and long johns, as well as shorts, sunscreen, a cap, and a water bottle. Be prepared!
A suggested personal equipment list will be sent to all participants before the camp.
Paying at Satahanka
There will be a kiosk and cafeterias at the camp. You can only use cards as payment method: Visa, Mastercad, GooglePay, ApplePay are OK, but Amex and Diners do not operate. Cash money is not accepted.
Satahanka shop for mugs, playing cards and coffee/tea passes
The Satahanka online shop offers playing cards, mugs, and camp café coffee/tea passes for purchase. Visitor day tickets are also available in the online store.
Phone and internet
Finland generally offers reliable 4G and 5G coverage for phone and internet services. While some camp activities might involve mobile phones, they are not necessary for participation. Please check roaming costs with your operator.
Party and quiet time at Satahanka
There will be various organised evening programmes for different age groups. However, there will be silence in the camp area to make sure a good night’s sleep and rest for everybody.
First-Aid
The camp has doctor level medical service at the site.
Do I need a tick vaccination?
Tick vaccination is a good precaution. The camp is situated in an area with a high prevalence of ticks. The TBE vaccine provides protection against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please consult your healthcare provider for detailed information regarding the vaccination, its cost, and availability in your country.
It is important to note that the TBE vaccine does not prevent ticks from attaching to the skin, nor does it offer protection against ticks themselves. Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne illness, and currently, there is no vaccine available for it. Therefore, even if vaccinated, individuals must safeguard themselves by wearing appropriate clothing and regularly inspecting their skin.