An interesting and intriguing, reflection on life

In March, we were preparing for the NUORI26 event with Niina Autiomäki, the developer of the Järjestin knowledge production service for youth associations. All of the prospective pre-event attendance options were inviting, and I was finding it hard to make a decision. Luckily, Niina gave me a tip. “The Prometheus Camp Association is in Pasila, right along your route, and you could give them information about Järjestin while you’re there,” Autiomäki encouraged.

Pre-events for the NUORI26 event were an excellent idea and service from the event organizers, the cities of Helsinki and Espoo, and associations. The atmosphere in Pasila was warm and welcoming. The friendly members of the Prometheus Camp Association, or Protu, talked about themselves, their motivations for getting involved, and the camp activity itself. I was impressed by the bravery of the youngsters and the professionalism of the Prometheus adults. In addition to the communications and fundraising coordinator of Prometheus Camp Association, Simo Porola, and intern Elina Melaragni, the activities were presented by former Protu campers and current active Protu members Hapii Salmi, Matti Loponen, and Vuokko Säteri. Let’s give the young people a voice.

Learn lots of new things and make lifelong friends at camp

I’m Vuokko Säteri. I’m from Sääksmäki in Valkeakoski and I graduated from general upper secondary school in December. Right now, I’m doing various freelance jobs, volunteer work, and I am about to go on an Interrail trip. Among other things, I enjoy reading, learning languages, and rollerblading.

I went to camp in Porkkalanniemi in 2021, right after 8th grade. I went to the Protu camp because it seemed really fun and interesting, and a great opportunity to get to meet new people! Since the camp was during the Covid-19 pandemic, we wore masks almost the entire time, and there was no traditional closing ceremony for families on the last day of camp. I was nervous about leaving for camp, and in the end, I accidentally left my phone in the boot of the car, so I didn’t have it with me for the entire time I was at camp. However, there were so many new and interesting activities at camp that I didn’t even really have time to miss my phone. The camp was an unforgettable experience, and I made some wonderful friends there, who still play a huge role in my life.

Protu activities teach courage and guidance

I have been an assistant instructor at three youth camps, one of which had a theatre theme. I also helped organize Protu’s 30^th anniversary celebration, worked as a cook at one camp, provided remote training for team members, participated in active recruitment, and served as a support person for camp teams, so I’ve done quite a lot of everything. The best part is definitely all the amazing and wonderful people I have met through Protu. I’ve also gained more confidence and learnt tons about running and planning activities. The challenging thing is getting enough sleep during camps and training sessions, because you just don’t want to go to bed. And to the readers of the Nuorisotyö magazine, I wish you a wonderful spring, thought-provoking reflections, and great new experiences!

Camp sounded interesting

I’m Hapii Salmi and I come from Mäntyharju. I’m an 18-year-old student in my last year of general upper secondary school, and I spend my free time on the theatre stage, on the train, and, from time to time, playing an instrument. And at Protu, of course! I went to the Protu camp because I’m the kind of person who likes camps, but confirmation camp didn’t feel like my kind of thing at all. The Protu camp sounded a lot more interesting, and that’s where I decided to go in the end. As such a hypersocial person, I was really excited about the camp, and I only felt a little nervous once I was on the drive to the campsite. Fortunately, even that little bit of anxiety turned out to be completely unnecessary and camp was a super amazing experience.

The challenge of public transport from Savo

I’ve led two camps, both a week long, and a third is coming up this summer. In addition to basic camps, I’ve led two weekend-long follow-up camps, conducted eight training sessions, been involved in organizing a few events, and led info sessions for future and assistant instructors. If I had to choose just one best thing about Protu’s activities, I might choose the food. There’s no need to even say anything else about it other than it’s  simply super good, nourishing, and usually healthy. The biggest challenges for me had nothing to do with Protu itself, but getting to the events. Transportation to training and similar activities usually leaves at 9 o’clock, but the earliest train from Mäntyharju doesn’t arrive in Helsinki until 9.40am, which usually means that I always have to stay over at someone’s place on Friday night. It makes attending somewhat challenging.

If you’re at all interested in Protu’s activities, you should definitely join in!

I’m Matti Loponen. I’m from Kajaani, and I went to Protu camp in Kuusamo, as that was the closest option at the time. I am 19 and turn 20 in the summer. I have studied civil engineering, and am now studying logistics. My hobby is travelling all over Finland. Last year, I travelled 38,000 kilometres with VR, mainly thanks to Protu’s activities. I went to Protu camp because I became interested in the experience as soon as I heard about the camps. I have done a lot within Protu, such as leading camps and events, and working within divisions. The best thing is the people around you, and meeting new people.

Working as an intern in my local Protu association

I am Elina Melaragni, 25, and I’m studying theology in Helsinki. My hobbies are knitting and birdwatching. I went to Protu camp on the recommendation of my ethics teacher. Before camp, the thing I was most looking forward to was meeting new people. At the beginning of camp, I was really nervous, but it soon passed as we started playing games and getting to know each other. In the end, the camp was definitely a life-changing experience where I was able to reflect on my own thoughts about the world and put them into words!

Protu activities strengthen your sense of community and self-efficacy. I have led camps, trained future camp teammates, and have also been involved in content planning for team-building training sessions. In addition, I’ve cooked up some camps and other events. The best thing is definitely the Protu community, but Proto has also given me a lot of skills and confidence in other aspects of life. I have faced all kinds of challenges, but they’ve taught me a lot.

Author and photos:

The next NUORI event will be held from the 30^th to the 31^st of March 2027, at Finlandia Hall. The focus will be on making an impact as the parliamentary elections are coming up in April.

Nuorisotyö -magazine = The Youth Work -magazine, a Finnish magazine for youth work experts

NUORI26 events =  the YOUTH26 event, an annual event that gathers together the entire youth sector in Finland. An event where 3000 professionals and volunteers working in the field of youth work come together to network and be inspired.