Educational travel fam trip and workshop 19.-23.9.2022

Equal opportunities and continuous learning throughout life are among the guiding principles of the Finnish society. Finland differs from many other high-ranking PISA countries by having comparatively short school days, little focus on homework and exams and preference of experimental learning out in the nature. This is reflected on the satisfaction of the Finnish pupils – they stand out from their peers in terms of how happy they feel with their own lives. No wonder Finland has been selected as the happiest nation in the world already 5 times in a row!

Finland is one of the pioneers of sustainability development and the theme is also a key content in the national curriculum. In 2015, the member countries of the UN agreed upon a programme for sustainability development, and 17 detailed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Finland has been one of the first countries to implement the programme, with local focus themes “Carbon-neutral and resource-wise Finland”, and “a non-discriminating, equal and highly skilled Finland”.

One of the main goals for the Finnish travel industry is to develop products and service structures within sustainable tourism, raise sustainability issues in tourism promotion, and to steer tourists to follow the sustainability principles when arriving to Finland. These targets are the basis for the development of Sustainable Travel Finland –programme and Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label.

During the trip, you will see how sustainability is an everyday topic made up of small, individual tasks of recycling, saving water and energy, bringing back your own garbage from the forest, respecting the learning of the local school community, and so forth. And maybe you will also discover why Finland is the happiest nation in the world?

Breakfast at Eerikkilä, check-out

08.30 Departure by bus from Tammela to Kokemäki

10.00 Visit to Kokemäki middle school and upper secondary school

11.15 Visit to Ali-Ketola farm. Buffet lunch
The Ali-Ketola farm is located in the town of Kokemäki in beautiful surroundings by the Kokemäenjoki river. Ali-Ketola is the right place for those who are looking for the peace and quiet of the countryside and beautiful natural scenery, as well as high-quality accommodation and exciting activities. Here You will accommodate in cosy twin rooms with private facilities. Group leaders can accommodate at private villa at the farm premises. Common living room and rural-style stone restaurant are at your usal, where you enjoy nutritious meals throughout the day.

The farm also offers a variety of Finnish saunas from traditional to modern. Activities include baking, canoeing, fishing or swimming at the riverside, bathing in traditional smoke sauna, or forging your lucky amulet with the blacksmith. Local excursion options are visit to reindeer farm, hiking or picking berries in the forest of nearby national park Puurijärvi-Isosuo, where you can also climb to one of the highest birdwatching tower of Nordic countries and spot some birds in their natural habitat.

12.50 Transfer to Pitkäjärvi Recreational Centre

13.10 Visit to Pitkäjärvi Recreational Centre, short fatbike ride around the premises and coffee/tea break.
Pitkäjärvi Recreational Centre provides a safe and magnificent setting for sporty camps all year round. The area offers several opportunities to try different sports in various fields and courses in one large yard amid pure and soothing nature.

Pitkäjärvi provides accommodation in functional hostels that include all the necessary amenities. Restaurant chefs make sure that all camp meals are healthy and tasty. Facilities are also perfect for longer-term sports camps. ABC of wellbeing; various physical exercises, healthy food and fresh air by lake and forest!

14.40 Departure by bus from Kokemäki to Pori

15.40 - 16.40 Guided mini-tour ‘Pori in a Nutshell’, bus transfer to Yyteri

Pori is the 10th largest city of Finland with over 83 000 habitants. Pori brands itself sarcastically “totally weird, absolutely unique”! It is also the 9th oldest city of Finland, established in 1550’s by Duke John, son of the Swedish King. Pori is a capital city of Satakunta Region abundant with modern technology, high-quality education, sports, agriculture, events and services.

Pori center and surroundings is awarded by status of National Urban Park, one of 10 in Finland. In Pori this status means valuable culture heritage in the form of historical buildings and natural landscapes with green parks and fields, lush forests and riverside islets. The largest river delta area of Nordic countries, Kokemäenjoki river delta, flows from here to the seaside 20 km further, Yyteri. There it meets Bothnian Sea National Park with sandy dunes, bird flatlands, and outer archipelago.

16.40 - 17.30 Visit to Yyteri Beach Resort

Yyteri Beach Resort consists of sun, sand and sea. Accommodation in modern, high-quality log villas reveals the secrets of relaxing Finnish summer villa -lifestyle. In Yyteri Beach villas you can listen to the roaring sound of the sea, admire the beautiful sunset across the horizon, and feel the breeze on your skin. The enchanting seaside nature and Bothnian Sea National Park allows to explore many trails and paths, and experience various outdoor activities from ropeway adventures to fatbiking and birdwatching.

17.30 - 18.10 by bus to see Yyteri Dunes
In Pori You have the opportunity to visit one the longest sandy beaches of Nordic countries, Yyteri, with 5 km dune coastline and shallow water perfect for water activities. Due its extraordinary environmental values it was awarded Blue Flag status in 2022 as first beach in Finland. Part of the beach is Natura conservation area and Bothnian Sea National Park.

18.10 - 18.40 Transfer to Reposaari island, short tour in wooden village milieu

18.45 - 20.45 Fish-based dinner at restaurant Merimesta with beautiful sunset sea views

20.45 - 21.30 Transfer to Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Pori, check-in

05.00 Arriving Helsinki with Finnair flight AY074
Transfer from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Forssa with Rajalan Liikenne, (duration. 1½ hours). The bus will wait at airport's charter bus platform (near Scandic Hotel) with a sign VISIT FINLAND

07.30 Breakfast at a local bakery Antin Konditoria and a meeting with local host Tourism Coordinator Mrs. Mari Noromies-Wahl

08.30 Visit to Forssa Museum and The Pattern Centre
Forssa was established around the textile industry. Visit at the Forssa museum and recently opened Pattern Centre located at the beautiful Spinning Mill area. The new exhibition tells the story of Finnish textile printing, an industry that began in Forssa in the 1860´s and from 1930s as an important part of Finlayson Co. The patterns designed at Forssa have emerged in international clothing fashion as Finlayson has gained momentum with a partnership with global Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo.
Museum director Mrs. Kati Kivimäki and museum coordinator Mrs. Reika Vesala

10.30 Visit to The School of Fine Arts
Visit at public art school, established 1984, which provides extensive basic art education mainly to children and young people in Forssa. At the school, children learn to use a variety of materials, work together and appreciate own and other students' work. The School of Fine Arts works closely with local companies and circular economy companies in particular are material banks for young artists.
Head teacher Mrs. Teija Lauronen

11.30 Lunch at Hotel Fabrik's restaurant Villa

12.30 Visit to Forssa Fabric / Rykkeri Design
Let´s take a time travel to the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, when the handicraft textile printing had a strong era in the textile industry in Finland. The technology enables e.g. printing large pattern surfaces. Forssa Fabric prints the fabric with Finland's only handcrafted flatbed printing equipment for own Rykkeri collection and for a wide range of customers. Visits are organized for all age groups, from kindergarten and school groups to companies.
Entrepreneurs Mrs. Outi Saaristo and Mrs. Marjut Pylkkänen-Kujamäki

13.30 Visit to Finlayson Factory outlet. Widely known Finnish textile brand Finlayson has a significant role in the history of Forssa. Time for shopping

14.15 Visit to C.P.E. Production. Coffee/tea break.
C.P.E. Production is a market leader of military and defence garmets and textiles. During the visit, we experience the content of the company's technical visit product in practice.
Managing director Mr. Harri Kolu

15.30 Departure by bus to Eerikkilä, Tammela

16:00 Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor Resort, check-in
Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor resort is located in Tammela next to two beautiful national parks. A school camp at Eerikkilä is a dream come true for every young sports or nature enthusiast. In Eerikkilä you can learn and experience new things in an inspirational atmosphere. Eerikkilä offers nature education, lots of activities, visits in local schools and of course sights and attractions in Forssa, Riihimäki and Hämeenlinna can be included to the program

17.00 Introduction to Eerikkilä Sport & Outdoor Resorts facilities and educational travel products. Dinner at Eerikkilä restaurant.
Meeting at reception with Marketing manager Mrs. Laura Sirén and Account manager Mrs. Marika Nummela