Country Culture Camp 2010 in Somero

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Information Document

Food

If you have specific diet needs like allergies, please inform us in advance. The camp will make efforts to meet them.
Food in Finland does not contain hot spices. We use a lot of potatoes, quite a lot of fish and lots of beef, chicken, pork and sausages. For more information about typical Finnish food, see for example the pages of Finfood

Medication

In case you are under medication, make sure that you have a supply of medicines for the whole stay in Finland. Consider if there is a need to inform the camp director about your medical condition (eg. diabetes).
Common medicines are readily available in farmacies.

Allergy

Allergic reactions, to mosquito bites for instance, are possible. The camp site is close to a forest and a lake, so we are bound to meet some mosquitoes there. If severe reactions can be expected, inform the camp director. Finnish mosquitoes do not spread any harmful diseases like malaria etc, so donīt worry. They are just a nuisance.

If you know that you have allergies (e.g. mosquitoes, hay fever etc), please take enough anti-allergy medicines with you !

Weather

Weather in Finland during the camp will typically be:

  • Daytime temperature +18 to +25C (extreme +30C)
  • Night time +15 to +20C (extreme +10C)
  • Some rain and wind can be expected, but not of tropical proportions.

Type of clothing recommended is casual. Ladies should bring at least one skirt/dress, gentlemen one pair of dress pants. Note below some requirements for special occasions.

Sleeping

Sleeping may be difficult in the beginning for people used to complete darkness like in southern Europe. During summer it does not get totally dark at night in Finland.

Camp activities

Many kinds of outdoor activities are included in the camp programme. Make sure you have both warm clothes and suitable walking shoes with you. Make also sure that you have clothes which are suitable for outdoor life even if it happens to rain.

Swimming

Swimming in the lake is a common summer activity in Finland. Bring suitable swimming clothes with you. Please tell the camp director if you feel your swimming skills are not good enough. Water temperature in the lake will be around +20C. In case you go to swim in the sea during your host family stay period you can expect cooler water, typically 15 to 18C.

Mobile phones and electricity

Normal GSM mobile phones work in Finland and the network coverage is good. Roaming prices are moderate. The camp organzation will provide each camper with a DNA prepaid SIM-card.

Please note that only European standard GSM phones (GSM 900 or GSM 1800 system or 3G UMTS) are used in Europe. The GSM 1900 system - as used for example in the USA - does not work in Europe.
Many phones support several systems: often the same phone works in all the systems GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900. If you have a GSM phone which works elsewhere in Europe, it will work here as well. If you have a US phone, a Japanese phone or for example a Brazilian phone it may or may not work. Check your phoneīs manual if it works in GSM 900 or GSM 1800 networks.

Our electricity voltage is European standard 230 V 50 Hz. Plugs are EU standard with two round pins. Visitors from European countries using non-standard plugs (such as UK or Switzerland) will need to have an adapter. If you are coming from the US or some other country that uses 110 V, check beforehand that your electric appliances work with 220-240 V. For example a 110 V hairdryer might break if you attempt to use it with 230 V. (And please note that US plugs also need an adapter.)

Rooms

Accommodation is organized in rooms of 2 persons in the same room. The rooms are of regular hotel standard with ample bathrooms. You can find information and pictures from the web pages of  Lamminniemi Wellness Centre.  Click on the Finnish language pages to see the pictures. If you click on "Yhteystiedot"  you will see a picture of a typical two bed room.

Computers

There is a computer room close to your accommodation, so checking e-mails etc. will be no problem. Lamminniemi has also a wireless WLAN network in the main building if you want to use your own laptop. If you bring your own computer with you, it will be totally on your own risk. You wonīt need it to keep online at the camp or during the host family stay.

Camp fee and other money issues

Ther is NO camp fee.

In Finland, cheques are never used and bank charges for cashing a cheque can be outrageously high. Travellers Checks can be cashed in banks.

We will be visiting shopping malls and similar places where there is an ATM (=Automatic Teller Machine, Bankomat, Bank automate), so you will have a chance to withdraw money if you have a credit/debit card. Visa, Visa Electron and MasterCard/Maestro cards work in all ATMs (AmEx and Diners not necessarily).

Security

In general Finland is a very safe and secure country and you do not much need to worry about thieves or robberers anywhere. The area around Lamminniemi is especially quiet and safe. However, itīs always a good idea to be a bit cautious. In downtown Helsinki there are some pickpocket thieves in the metro, trams and major shopping malls. Our visit object Turku is far more peaceful than Helsinki and during the camp we will not be visiting any places where security is a concern. Public emergency number in Finland is 112 which should be memorized at he beginning of the camp.

Also the forests and lakes around Somero are safe. There are no poisonous spiders and the only poisonous snake species of Finland, the common viper, is extremely rare and avoids humans and its bite is not lethal. It is very, very unlikely that you would see one during your stay. And there are no dangerous mammals in those forests either, although you may see footprints and other marks left by large elks or smaller deers. But thereīs nothing to worry about in the forest in terms of safety as long as you make sure you find your way and donīt get lost. Swimming in the lake is quite OK as well. The water in the small lakes is dark but clean and there are no animals in the lakes that could bite you. Donīt worry.

What to take with to Finland?

Here are some useful hints:

  • Passport / ID card / Visa. Visitors from many countries do not need a Visa. Visitors from some European countries do not even need a passport if they have an official ID card with them. Check beforehand !
  • Your personal insurance card
  • A credit card (if you have one). Most shops accept Visa and Master Card cards and Visa Electron and Maestro debit cards are also common. AmEx and Diners are more rarely accepted.
  • Sport shoes and suitable shoes for walking in the forest
  • Light rainwear (disposable raincoats can be bought in Finland)
  • Warm clothes (pullover, coat etc.)
  • One dress / one pair of dress pants
  • Jeans /other casual style trousers with long pantlegs
  • T-Shirts, short sleeve shirts
  • At least one shirt with long sleeves
  • Sports clothes
  • Shorts
  • Pyjamas / night gown
  • Swimsuit / swimming trousers
  • Personal washing and hygienic items
  • Personal medication (Don’t forget to check the customs rules for medication. If you bring with you the prescription strength medicines it is a good idea to take also the prescription with you.)
  • Notebook, pens
  • Sun tan cream, sunglasses, a hat or a cap to cover your head while outside in extreme sun
  • Mosquito oil or similar mosquito repellant (available also in Finland)
  • Pocket money
  • Camera (if you want); please bring also the things that you need for transferring your pictures to a computer
  • Things you need to present your country for the others (mini flag, maps, brochures etc.)
  • Mini flag or banner of your sponsoring Lions Club and pins for swapping (not a must)
  • Musical instrument and notes (if you want)
  • A small gift for your host family (or host families if there are more than one)
  • English dictionary

Bed linen (sheets) and towels are waiting for you here. Also the most common medication items (painkillers, medication for acute allergic reactions, bandaids etc.) are available on the camp.

We hope you come with a happy mood and bring with you a breath of air from yoyr country!

Country Culture Club 2010 in Somero

Wishes you cordially welcome to Finland!