Welcome To a New Hobby That Creates Joy And Security

Photographer: Susanna Sillanpää, Kaisa Loponen and Juha Nurmi

Guiding and Scouting is a hobby where everyone can make new friends, have amazing adventures, and learn new skills while having fun together in a safe environment. The Guides and Scouts promote peace, understanding and cooperation between people in local, national and international contexts. When the world is unstable the fundamental values of the Guides and Scouts are highlighted. 

A hobby and the friends and joy it brings create a sense of security for children as well as for adults. The Guides and Scouts offers everyone a safe place to grow and develop as they are. Everyone’s welcome here. All genders, races and backgrounds. Regardless of your child’s physical ability – there’s a Scout adventure out there waiting for them. Guiding and Scouting is a wonderful hobby for kids who are new to Finland and families who are looking to integrate to the local community and culture. Because scouting is one of the most affordable hobbies, it acts as an important counter force against marginalization. 

Both kids and adults can join their local Guides and Scouts troop, even if they don’t speak the local language yet. Scouting as an adult is voluntary work, which allows many children and teenager to be part of the hobby. Free-time activities and hobbies are great ways of learning the language and integrating into one’s local culture while having fun! Most of the guiding and scouting activities are currently organized in Finnish and Swedish, but many local groups also cater to those who speak English or other languages. Please don’t hesitate to ask your local group how they have organized their groups and activities. 

Let’s build a better future together 

Every week we give tens of thousands of 7-22 year olds the skills to promote equality, build a personal relationship with nature and leave behind a better world. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live without fear of violence, discrimination, bullying or being alone. Supporting the development and growth of children and youth is a vital part of Guiding and Scouting in Finland. Improving useful skills such as problem-solving, first aid, and social skills happens naturally while having fun with like-minded people.  

The essence of this hobby is engaging in a diverse assortment of activities together with others and interacting with a wide variety of people. All our activities are run by volunteers. Scouting provides young people with opportunities to participate in events, activities and projects that contribute to their growth as active members of their community. Guides and Scouts do go camping, hiking, swimming, cycling and canoeing. But they also get to hang out with their friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and taking on new challenges. 

Immigrants and refugees are warmly welcome to join 

All immigrants and refugees are warmly welcome to join the scouting movement in Finland! Scouting is an inexpensive hobby. By paying around 60 to 80 euros per year you can participate in the activities of your local group, the Scout District and the Guides and Scouts of Finland. The fee also makes you part of the international Scout movement. The payment includes the membership fees of the Guides and Scouts of Finland and the Scout District. Some local groups may collect a separate membership fee. 

We have gathered answers and advice regarding joining the Guides and Scouts of Finland in different languages, please find out more through these links:  

Sign up now!  

A new season of Guiding and Scouting is starting soon so now is the best time to begin your new hobby. You will find the local groups in your area as well as additional information about Scouting here: scouts.fi/join  

If you are uncertain which local group would suit you or your child best, ask for advice from the Scouts’ information center: tel. 09 8865 1100/ e-mail palvelu@partio.fi