WWF Finland's work camps for volunteers

WWF in Finland has been organizing voluntary work camps since 1977 all around Finland. Work camps have been arranged in different types of nature conservation areas in cooperation with e.g. Metsähallitus (formerly Forest and Park Service), Forest Research Institute, local Environment Institutes and private land owners.

Photo: WWF / Antti Lappo

Every summer volunteers work hard in five or six camps. Normally the length of a camp is nine days, including the days for traveling to and from the camp site. One day is spent for making excursions in nature and culture attractions nearby.

The jobs at a camp can be following: mowing, raking, clearing root stocks and building duck boards, fences and shingle roofs.

Program for a normal camp day is following :

• 7.00 wake up call
• 7.30 breakfast
• 8.00-10.00 work
• 10.00-10.15 coffee break
• 10.15-12.00 work
• 12.00-13.00 lunch
• 13.00-15.00 work
• 15.00-15.15 coffee break
• 15.15-17.00 work
• 17.00-18.00 dinner
• 18.00 -> free evening program: hiking, fishing, sauna, sitting by the campfire, swimming etc.

The organizers of the camp will provide a camp leader, supervision of work, cook, field kitchen and all necessary tools. The accommodation can be either in one's own tent or in WWF's army-type platoon tent. Conditions are quite primitive and there are no facilities at the camp. In most camps the tent sauna is constructed.

The participants of the camp are nature friends between 18 to 73 years of age.

Top physical condition is not required but some endurance is needed. Participants pay and organize their trips to the vicinity of the camp site and back. WWF will cover the costs for food and transportation during the camp.

Information about camps of summer 2010 will be available in February 2010.

WWF Finland organised following restoration camps for volunteers in summer 2009

Place: Tvärminne, Hanko
Distance from Helsinki: 120 km
Time: 5.-11.6.
Tasks: Restoration of coastal meadows; clearing, burning, mowing and repairing.

Place: Hallonäs, Iniö
Distance from Helsinki: 230 km
Time: 27.6.-4.7.
Tasks: restoration of meadows (clearing and mowing) in the islands of Hallonäs and Salmis.

Place: Tammisaari National Park
Distance from Helsinki: 100 km
Time: 11.-19.7.
Tasks: mowing, clearing, raking and, weather permitting, also burning on several islands.

Place: Liminganlahti (near Oulu)
Distance from Helsinki: ~600 km
Time: 25.7.-2.8.
Tasks: construction works and restoration, also mowing and clearing.

Place: Ristisaari-island, Pyhtää (island)
Distance from Helsinki: 120 km
Time: 2.-6.9.
Tasks: Clearing and burning

Muualla verkossa

• Working for Nature