June 4-8 2025

Welcome to the summer camp for young people aged 14-18 in Sastamala Camp Manor. Participation fee 120 euros (incl. travel). The camp is a great opportunity to get to know other Catholic youth, have fun in a good company and deepen your faith. The theme of the camp is ”Dare to live for love!”

Register here

Time and Place

  • The camp starts on Wednesday June 4 at 5 pm.
  • The camp ends on Sunday June 8. at 3 pm.
  • The location is Leirikartano (Campsite of the local Pentecostal Church, Yli-houhalan tie 34, Sastamala). The campsite is located on the shore of Lake Houhajärvi, so those who dare and are able to swim can do so.

Planned Programme

Confirmation youth can partially compensate for their confirmation classes by attending a camp. In this case, a separate programme will be organised for them, if necessary.

Fun

  • Games, sports and games: including board and card games, football, volleyball, flag raiding, mölkky, and social games (e.g. church mouse)
  • Swimming and sauna: sauna facilities for about 15 people, separate shifts for girls and boys, lifeguard on site, possibility of kayaking
  • Campfire: barbecue, funny and creepy stories and of course songs with guitar accompaniment.
  • Free hanging out: it’s also nice to just hang out in the camp area, chat with a friend or even read on the terrace

Faith

  • Celebration of Mass: Holy Mass is celebrated every day.
  • Bible study: reading the Bible and discussing it in small groups
  • Lessons and discussions: exploring different themes of the Christian life, such as prayer life, relationships, sexuality, vocation and the relationship between faith and reason.
  • Prayer and praise: intercessory prayer, songs of praise and adoration.
  • Closing Mass: on Sunday 8.6. is the feast of Pentecost, with a celebration Mass in the medieval St. Olav’s Church in Sastamala, where the parents of the campers are welcome!

The Camp Place

The Camp Place

An area of 3.5 hectares, including a hectare of lawn, meadow and forest. This allows for a varied outdoor programme. The camp is located on the shores of Lake Houhajärvi. The water deepens relatively quickly to about three metres.

Accomodation

Accommodation is in rooms for 6-10 people (girls and boys separately) or in a tent (own tent or rented tent on site). Bring a sleeping bag or bed sheets.


Other Things to Know:

Meals: all meals in Leirikartano are included in the price. There are five meals a day, breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and night snack. Please let us know if you have any allergies or food restrictions when you register.

Languages: the main language is Finnish, but English speakers are also welcome.

Transport: travel to the campsite will be by car and, if necessary, by train. We will be in contact with those who have registered to arrange transport.

Camp size: up to 40 campers, including hosts and counselors.

Safety: there is a comprehensive safety plan for the camp. Swimming and sauna use will be properly supervised.

Camp fitness

  • Campers must be able to sleep in the same room with others.
  • The young person must be able to be part of a group.
  • The symptoms of the young person’s illness must be adequately managed. The symptoms must not place an unreasonable burden on friends, hosts or staff.
  • The young person must be able to be without a telephone for part of the day.
  • The young person must have basic skills: literacy, knowing the time, being able to take care of personal hygiene, being self-sufficient and eating adequately.

Registration and Payment

  • Participation fee: 120€.
  • Payment methods: bank transfer by message or MobilePay (47373) by message. Account details: St. Mary’s parish FI65 1023 3000 2047 89. Please write the message ”First name Last name Camp fee”. Send a receipt of payment (photo or screenshot) to Siyan (050 362 0438, siyan.zhuang@gmail.com).
Register Here

Camp Leader Team

The summer camp team has experience from youth nights in St Mary’s parish, among others. Most of the counsellors are also teachers in a parish confirmation course. In addition to the team, there are a couple of other adults who help out at the camp, as well as the ”isoset” (confirmed teen leaders) who organise games and other activities.

Siyan Zhuang

camp leader

Siyan is currently a stay-at-home dad. He is known as a social, positive and practical all-rounder in the church. Siyan especially likes to sing Renaissance polyphony in the choir (ask him what that means! 😁) As camp leader, he makes sure everything works (and that the teens go to bed on time!).

Fr. Martti Savijoki SCJ

Camp priest

Father Martti is the youth pastor of St Mary’s parish. The letters SCJ = Priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the camp, Father Martti is especially concerned with preaching and teaching the Word and distributing the sacraments, and you can talk to him confidentially about anything. And he is also involved in the music (as a former professional musician).

P.S. Father Martti has created this website!

Kateri Vartti

leader, first aid expert

Kateri is a creative theorist by nature. She has training and work experience in social work and health care (especially as a researcher). Kateri has developed a camp safety plan and, as the first aid officer, she looks after it to make sure everyone stays healthy, including the counsellors!

Kateri is a true Legionary, a Legionary of Mary.

Tea Laurila

leader, chief cook

Tea is a cheerful, sporty and versatile power pack. She describes herself as a ”loudly laughing Doctor of Geosciences”. Tea also writes a blog on faith-related topics (Marian matkassa). As the chief cook, she makes sure that no one runs out of energy in the middle of everything.

Aino Okinyo

leader, teen leader coach

Aino on aktiivinen ja utelias ihminen, joka on kiinnostunut eri kulttuureista. Hän haaveilee maailmasta, jossa ihmiset voisivat kohdata itseään ja toisiaan lempeämmin. Aino on mukana seurakunnan rukous- ja ylistysbändissä. Isosvastaavana hän ohjailee ja sparraa leirin isosia. 

Jauaries Loyala

leader, sport coach

Janu on sporttinen ”koutsi”, joka tykkää pallopelistä kuin pallopelistä. Janulle on sydämen asia välittää muille liikunnan iloa ja sen kautta myös rakentaa ryhmähenkeä. Liikuntavastaavana hän huolehtii siitä, että pelit pelataan hyvässä ja reilussa hengessä (ja siitä, että päivän päätteeksi nuorilla ei riitä energiaa valvoa 😁).

Rasmus Axelsen

leader, jack-of-all-trades

Rasmus is a physics teacher by profession. His passion is board games. Rasmus is also a Legionary (of Mary). And he is involved in many ways in the youth ministry of St Mary’s parish.

More Information

Siyan Zhuang: 050 362 0438, siyan.zhuang@gmail.com

isä Martti Savijoki SCJ: 050 547 8805 (also WhatsApp) martti.savijoki@katolinen.fi