Camp Rules and Practices

Rules

  • The camps follow the principles of safer spaces, and participants are also expected to commit to them. You can read the guidelines here (in Finnish).
  • The camp team is responsible for ensuring that the principles for a safer space are upheld and that the rules are respected.
  • There is no visiting day at the camp, and visits during the camp are not possible. Participants are also not allowed to leave the camp during the camp period.
  • Mobile phones may be used during breaks and outside the scheduled program.
  • The camp is substance-free. Smoking and the use of snus are also prohibited for participants under the age of 18.
  • Failure to follow the rules may result in the camp participant being sent home during the camp. Sending a participant home may also be considered if a young person becomes ill or is unwilling or unable to participate in camp activities.

Camp participants

  • Each Protu camp has 12–18 participants, depending on the facilities of the camp location. Camps are filled in order of enrollment, and it is common that participants do not know each other beforehand.

Camp Team

  • Each camp is planned and run by a trained volunteer team consisting of two senior senior counsellors and five junior counsellors.
  • The team is supported by extensive written materials, Protu’s volunteer support persons, the office staff and crisis on-call volunteers, as well as a network of volunteer professionals in the social, health care and education sectors.
  • Criminal background checks have been conducted for all camp team members over the age of 18 in accordance with Finnish law (Laki lasten kanssa toimivien vapaaehtoisten rikostaustan selvittämisestä).

Camp Participants Newsletter and Camp Letter

  • In March–April, a newsletter is sent by email to camp participants and their guardians. It contains compiled information about camp practices and rules.
  • 3–4 weeks before the camp, a camp-specific letter is sent by email to the participant and guardian. The letter includes, among other things: introductions and contact details of the camp counsellors, arrival instructions, and a packing list.
    • The camp letter includes the nick names of all camp participants, as well as the phone numbers and home towns of those participants who have given consent to share their information via the camp participant’s additional information form.

Beginning and End of the Camp (Closing ceremony)

  • Camps last eight days, most commonly from Sunday to Sunday.
  • Typically, a Protu camp begins in the afternoon on the first day and ends in the afternoon on the last day. The exact start and end times are provided in the camp letter.
  • On the final day, a closing ceremony lasting approximately 1–2 hours is held between 12:00 and 14:00. The ceremony is intended for camp participants and their close family members. After the ceremony, the camp ends and participants depart for home. More information about the closing ceremony can be found in the camp letter.

Arrival at the Camp

  • No group transportation is arranged to the camp locations. The camp letter sent in advance includes instructions for arriving by private car and, where possible, by public transportation.
  • Guardians are encouraged, if needed, to also transport other camp participants. The camp letter includes a link to a carpooling table to help arrange shared rides.

Erityistarpeiden huomioiminen

  • The camp is an intensive experience. You can read more about camp practices in Protu’s autism-friendly guidelines for participation (note: the guidelines are in Finnish and not currently fully up to date).
  • Camp counsellors are volunteers from diverse backgrounds (and are not professionals in youth or social work). Team members are responsible for the general well-being of all camp participants, but they do not have caregiving responsibility, such as managing medication, monitoring eating, or addressing self-harming behavior.
  • If you are attending the camp with a disability, illness, or mental health concerns, please report this when enrolling for the camp using the camp participant’s additional information form. You may also contact the team separately before the camp to explain what this means for you, so the team can take it into account when planning the camp.
    • Please note that the team members’ prior knowledge and ability to accommodate participants’ needs vary. We cannot guarantee that a specific camp team will include someone with prior experience in supporting a particular condition.
    • If, during discussions with the camp team before the camp, concerns arise about whether the team can provide sufficient support, please contact the Protu office so that participation in the camp can be assessed more broadly.
  • Accessibility levels vary between camp locations. Accessibility information for participants with reduced mobility is included in the camp location descriptions. You may also contact the Protu office for more information about the suitability of a specific camp location.
  • Protu does not organize special camps. Some camp locations are better equipped to accommodate special needs than others. At some locations, it is possible to bring a personal assistant to the camp. The costs of the assistant’s participation can be agreed upon with the Executive Director.

Meals

  • Meals are primarily lacto-ovo vegetarian (plant-based, including dairy products and eggs). The camp menu depends on the cook and the camp kitchen.
  • You may report allergies, dietary restrictions, or other meal-related needs (e.g. a vegan diet or a need to eat meals containing meat during the event) using the camp participant’s additional information form when enrolling for the camp. If necessary, after enrollment you may check with the Protu office whether you indicated any meal-related needs on the form.

Camp Kiosk

  • The camp has a kiosk that usually sells snacks, sweets, and soft drinks.
  • The kiosk also sells Protu support products (hoodies, t-shirts, tote bags, badges, etc.).

The Protu necklace

  • The Protu necklace is engraved with the nick name provided during enrollment. You may ask the Protu office to confirm the nick name you submitted.
  • If you wish to change your nick name, please request the change from the Protu office no later than four (4) weeks before the camp.

Accident Insurance

  • Camp participants and counsellors are insured against accidents. The accident insurance covers individuals who hold a Finnish KELA card. In this case, the insurance covers medical expenses and personal property damaged in connection with an accident. If a camp participant does not have a Finnish KELA card, it is recommended to check with their own insurance provider that they have valid travel or equivalent insurance for the duration of the camp.