In English
Everything is possible in Guiding and Scouting
Guiding and Scouting is a wonderful way to learn new things about nature, yourself, other people and your own living environment. You get to pick up new things by doing yourself instead of reading about them in books. Scouting is all about doing things together: hiking, sailing, practicing first aid, making crafts and honing your woodcraft skills both in the city and in the great outdoors. Scouting is a hobby where each individual can truly make a difference!
Scouting is for everyone
Anyone who is 7 years of age or older is free to join at any time and there is no maximum age limit, adults are also warmly welcome! The essence of Scouting is engaging in a diverse assortment of activities together with others and interacting with a wide variety of people. Where you come from is not important. All you need is willingness to get involved. Guides and Scouts organize large-scale events and camps as well as smaller events. They provide an amazing opportunity to meet your peers from all over Finland and the World. There are 38 million Guides and Scouts in 200 countries worldwide. The Guides and Scouts of Finland is the largest youth organisation in the country with a whopping 65,000 members.
To find out more about our values, objectives and programme click here
Scouting is about doing things together
Guides and Scouts operate in local groups (”lippukunta” in Finnish) around the country. The local groups are communities of children, youth and adults that work together to plan and implement various kinds of Guiding and Scouting activities. The different age groups in our local group meet once a week during the school year. The children’s groups are led by adults, but in the youth groups, the leaders are only a few years older than the group members. The local group as a whole is led by an adult with the help of a number of volunteers. Every group leader is trained for his or her tasks.
Our group
Helsingin Erä-Majavat is a fun and fresh local group in Etu-Töölö founded in 1975. We have members from Töölö, Kamppi and Ruoholahti region. We organize activities both with our own folk and together with other local groups from the Central Helsinki region. Old and new scouts and guides are warmly welcome to join us, check out the information below!
At the moment the weekly groups for children are in Finnish, but we are happy to communicate with families and volunteers also in English.
Weekly groups Autumn 2021
Cub Scouts
Joutsenet 1st and 2nd graders, tuesdays 5 - 6 pm
Sorsat 2nd and 3rd graders, tuesdays 6 - 7 pm
Adventurers
Merisiilit 4th and 5th graders, thursdays 5 - 6.30 pm
Volunteering in Scouts and Guides
Guiding and Scouting is also an excellent hobby for adults.
Adults can:
Help in organizing camps and weekend trips to the woods
Lead groups (eg. once a week/ once in two weeks)
Help with the support functions such as the local group economy, bake for Christmas sales, cook at a weekend trip, organize activities for group leaders, develope the local group’s communication channels or websites etc.
Participate in big projects such as big camps
What do you get from scouting?
Possibility to do good
Possibility to support young people in their personal growth
New friends and a community
New experiences and skills
Possibility for self-development in the long run
How to join?
Everyone can become a guide or a scout! Please fill out our membership application and we will contact you as soon as possible! If you have any further questions, please email the group leader (contact information below).
Would love to join, but the fee seems to be a bit too much?
The annual membership fee is around 80 euros. On top of that the weekend trips, camps and special events have additional fees. We believe that everybody should have a chance to become a guide or a scout regardless of their financial situation. In case you are not able to pay the annual membership fee for yourself or your child for instance because of a sudden illness, unemployment or family issues, please send an application to us and you can be granted a free membership.
Exemption is mainly meant for underage children. You can apply for the benefit throughout the year.
How to apply for exemption
After joining and receiving an invoice for the membership fee you can apply for an exemption. Please apply before the due date on the invoice.
Please apply for a free annual membership either online or by posting a printed form to our office. All applications will be kept strictly confidential.
You can apply online (you can ask the group leader for help with Finnish language) or by emailing Executive Director Mimmu Mannermaa, mimmu.mannermaa@partio.fi or calling 040 132 7088.
Frequently Asked Questions about Guiding and Scouting in Finland
FAQ session about Guiding and Scouting in Finland was hosted online on the 2nd of September 2021. Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-xvK4iQF4I.
This video aims to answer the most Frequently Asked Questions about Guiding and Scouting in Finland, related to topics such as: – Language – Background – Religion – Activities – Age – Costs – Ideals – How to join?
Contact information
Group leader
Tuuli Maura
Meeting place "Kolo"
Perhonkatu 3
00100 Helsinki
Sailing Club HSK
Vattuniemen puistotie 1
00210 Helsinki