Confirmation school

Please review the confirmation camp options carefully with your guardian and select five equally preferred group options. The order of your choices does not matter. After registration closes, our electronic system will assign participants to groups randomly. Group placement is therefore not based on the order of registration. There are nearly 700 confirmation camp-aged young people across the parish area, so unfortunately not everyone can be placed in the same group. The maximum size of a camp-based confirmation group is 25 participants.

Traditionally, camps held in early and mid-summer have been the most popular. For this reason, you may choose only one option from groups that take place at the same time. The options have been divided into selection categories so that you can choose one camp from SELECTION GROUP 1, one camp from SELECTION GROUP 2, and one camp from SELECTION GROUP 3. All other groups may be selected freely, and you may choose all five required options from these groups if you wish.

If you have a particularly well-founded reason for being placed in a specific group, please explain this in the “Additional Information / Grounds for Request” section of the registration form. You may also use this section to indicate if both the A and B options within the same selection group would be suitable for you.

If, after group placements have been announced, your assigned confirmation group proves impossible or highly unsuitable for you, please contact us. An opportunity to request a group change will be available on Wednesday, 7 October, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. You may visit us in person in the foyer of the Kirkonkranni Auditorium (Ala-Kuljun katu 1 D, 3rd floor), or, if you are unable to attend, contact Director of Youth Work Pete Ketola, Confirmation Camp Pastor Laura Launiala, or Team Supervisor Sami Nortunen by phone during that time. Contact details can be found on the back page of the brochure. No group changes will be processed before this date.

If you wish to attend confirmation camp the following year instead, please still register and select “I will attend confirmation camp in 2028.” This will ensure that you receive the confirmation camp brochure again next year.

1) Complete the registration form carefully with the details of both the participant and the guardian, and follow the instructions provided. The information you submit will be stored in the parish database in accordance with data protection legislation and may be used, for example, when sending letters, emails, or text messages to the participant and/or guardian. Please pay particular attention to the phone number and email address fields.

Select at least five suitable confirmation camp options. Because some camps take place at the same time, you may choose only one camp from each of the following selection groups:

Selection Group 1: H2A, H2B, H3
Selection Group 2: H4A, H5A, H6A
Selection Group 3: H4B, H5B, H6B

Apart from these restrictions, all groups may be selected freely.

2) Click the “Submit” button. You may also preview the form before submitting it. Once your registration has been completed, a confirmation email will be sent to both the participant’s and the guardian’s email addresses.

Please note: Registration can only be submitted once. If you have any questions about the online registration process, please contact Confirmation Camp Pastor Laura Launiala.

3) After submitting your registration, you will receive a confirmation message containing a friend code. You may give this code to one friend if you would like to be placed in the same confirmation camp group. The system will then automatically assign both of you to the same camp whenever possible.

1) If you have received a friend code from a friend who has already registered, enter the code in the “Friend Code” field on the registration form and click “Search”. This will automatically apply the same camp selections that your friend has chosen and help place you in the same confirmation camp group. After using the friend code, do not change the camp selections.

2) After entering the friend code, carefully complete the rest of the registration form.

3) Submit your registration. Since you have already used a friend code received from a friend, you will not receive a new friend code of your own in the registration confirmation. A friend code can therefore be used only once.

4) If you would also like to attend the same confirmation camp as a third or fourth friend, please write their names in the “Additional Information” field on the registration form.

Please note: These are requests only, and unfortunately we cannot guarantee that all friends will be placed in the same group. Remember, one of the best parts of confirmation camp is often getting to know new people!

All camp-based confirmation programmes include regular gatherings during the winter and spring, as well as two teaching days before the camp period. Please make sure these dates are suitable for you when choosing your confirmation group. Some teaching days are arranged separately before the camp period, and their schedules will be communicated to participants at a later date.

Honkiniemi, Ähtäri

The camp fee is €100, including coach transportation, full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are mainly held in Seinäjoki.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

Lankari, Nurmo

The camp fee is €100, including full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Participants arrange their own transportation to Lankari. The programme also includes a day trip to a nearby destination. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are mainly held in Nurmo.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

Ahonniemi, Peräseinäjoki

The camp fee is €100, including full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Ylistaro or Peräseinäjoki.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

Marttinen Youth Centre, Virrat

The camp fee is €100, including coach transportation, full board accommodation during the camp, meals during teaching days, study materials, and any excursions included in the programme. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Seinäjoki.

More information: marttinen.fi

Havsgården, Åland Archipelago

The camp fee is €400, including coach and ferry travel, hot meals during the journey, full board accommodation during the camp, meals during teaching days, study materials, and excursions. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Seinäjoki.

More information: havsgarden.com

Oivanki Youth Centre, Kuusamo

The camp fee is €200, including coach transportation, meals during travel, full board accommodation during the camp, study materials, and excursions. The winter holiday confirmation camp includes two skiing days at Ruka and an excursion to a nature destination. Ski lift passes are not included in the fee. The summer outdoor camp includes a couple of day hikes or excursions to nearby natural attractions. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days for the summer camp are held in Nurmo.

More information: oivanki.fi

Lapiosalmi, Posio
The camp fee is €200 and includes bus transportation, full board during the camp, meals on teaching days, and study materials. The winter holiday confirmation camp includes two skiing days at Ruka; ski lift passes are not included in the price. Preparatory meetings and separately announced teaching days will be held in Seinäjoki.

More information: lapiosalmi.fi

Hiking Confirmation Camp, Hetta-Pallas

The camp fee is €200, including coach transportation, meals during the hikes, and study materials. The parish can provide hiking equipment on loan if needed. The programme includes a mandatory practice hike and overnight tent stay in May 2027, as well as teaching days during the winter and spring/summer period.

More information: luontoon.fi

Pappila 1, 2 ja 3

The fee for the confirmation programme is €50, which includes meals during the programme period and all study materials. These confirmation programmes take place at the Nurmo Parish House, with participants returning home each evening.

Day confirmation programmes are intended especially for young people who may find it difficult to participate in a camp-based programme due to learning challenges, health-related reasons, or other special circumstances. Participants take part in many of the same activities as those attending camp programmes, but in a smaller group setting.

In addition to the intensive summer programme period, teaching sessions are held during the winter and spring on weekday evenings and weekends.

Selkorippikoulu 1

This confirmation camp is designed for young people with mild learning difficulties and neurodivergent traits, such as autism. Teaching and camp activities are adapted to meet each participant’s individual needs. Young people may participate according to their own abilities and energy levels, and it is also possible to stay at home overnight instead of sleeping at the camp.

Each participant is assigned a personal instructor who provides support in areas where the young person may need assistance, such as social situations.

For more information:

Riina Antila, Priest, Tel. +358 400 167 901, riina.antila@evl.fi and Tiina Pihlaja, Youth Worker Tel. +358 44 550 2693, tiina.pihlaja@evl.fi

Selkorippikoulu 2

This confirmation camp is intended for young people with significant learning difficulties or intellectual disabilities. Teaching and camp activities are adapted to each participant’s individual needs. Young people can participate according to their own abilities and energy levels, and it is also possible to stay at home overnight instead of sleeping at the camp.

Each participant has a personal instructor at the camp who provides support and assistance in areas where help is needed, such as social situations and daily activities.

For more information:

Riina Antila, Pastor, Tel. +358 400 167 901, riina.antila@evl.fi and Tiina Pihlaja, Youth Worker, Tel. +358 44 550 2693, tiina.pihlaja@evl.fi

Participation in a camp-based confirmation programme requires certain abilities that help ensure a positive camp experience. These include, for example, being able to sleep in a shared room, manage personal hygiene and any necessary medication independently, and commit to the camp programme and daily schedule.

If you have any concerns about camp readiness, please contact Pete Ketola, Laura Launiala, or Sami Nortunen. Together, we can help find the confirmation programme that best suits the young person’s needs.

Each confirmation group has its own group-specific schedule. After the groups have been assigned, you will receive a confirmation camp letter at home. The letter will include information about your group’s first meeting and details of the January confirmation service to which your group has been invited.

The schedule for your group’s spring gatherings will be provided by your group leaders at the first meeting.

It is possible to apply for a reduction of the confirmation camp fee on financial grounds (up to €100) after group placements have been finalised. Applications for a fee reduction should be submitted through a member of staff responsible for your confirmation group.

If you plan to attend a confirmation camp organised elsewhere, such as a sports confirmation camp or a camp run by a Christian organisation, you must complete a home parish programme with your own parish during the winter season. For this reason, you need to register in two places: directly with the organiser of the confirmation camp you wish to attend and through the Parish of Seinäjoki’s online confirmation camp registration system. Please note that these registration systems are not connected.

More information about the home parish programme will be provided at a joint information evening for young people attending confirmation camp elsewhere and their parents on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at 6:00 pm at Hyllykallio Parish Hall (Opintie 1).

When registering through the Parish of Seinäjoki, select the following group options:

1. I will attend confirmation camp elsewhere 1
2. I will attend confirmation camp elsewhere 2
3. I will attend confirmation camp elsewhere 3
4. I will attend confirmation camp elsewhere 4
5. I will attend confirmation camp elsewhere 5

This will ensure that you are automatically assigned to the group for participants attending confirmation camp elsewhere.

If registration for your preferred confirmation camp has not yet opened and you are not certain that you will be accepted, you may also register for a Parish of Seinäjoki confirmation camp. You can then cancel that registration as soon as your place elsewhere is confirmed. This helps ensure that you are not left without a confirmation camp place.

• New Year Confirmation Camp at Honkiniemi: Camp period 27 December 2026 to 2 January 2027. Teaching days will be arranged separately throughout the year. Confirmation service on Sunday, 4 April 2027 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Winter Holiday Confirmation Camp at Honkiniemi: Camp period 27 February to 5 March 2027. Teaching days will be arranged separately throughout the year. Confirmation service on Saturday, 24 April 2027 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Winter Holiday Confirmation Camp at Lapiosalmi: Camp period 27 February to 6 March 2027. Teaching days will be arranged separately throughout the year. Confirmation service on Saturday, 24 April 2027 at 1:00 p.m. at Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Winter Holiday Confirmation Camp at Oivanki: Camp period 27 February to 6 March 2027. Teaching days will be arranged separately throughout the year. Confirmation service on Sunday, 25 April 2027 at 10:00 a.m. at Nurmo Church.
• Winter Holiday Confirmation Camp at Marttinen: Camp period 27 February to 6 March 2027. Teaching days will be arranged separately throughout the year. Confirmation service on Saturday, 15 May 2027 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeuden Risti Church.

The camp fee is €100, which includes coach transportation, full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held mainly in Seinäjoki.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

• Honkiniemi 1 (H1) Two-part Easter confirmation camp. Camp periods: 19-21 February and 25-29 March 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 16 May 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Honkiniemi 2A (H2A) Teaching days: 7-8 June 2027. Camp period: 9-16 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 20 June 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 1.
• Honkiniemi 2B (H2B) Teaching days: 7-8 June 2027. Camp period: 9-16 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 20 June 2027 at 1:00 pm, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 1.
• Honkiniemi 3 (H3) Teaching days: 14-15 June 2027. Camp period: 16-23 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 27 June 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 1.
• Honkiniemi 4A (H4A) Teaching days: 21-22 June 2027. Camp period: 23-30 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 4 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 2.
• Honkiniemi 4B (H4B) Teaching days: 21-22 June 2027. Camp period: 23-30 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 4 July 2027 at 1:00 pm, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 3.
• Honkiniemi 5A (H5A) Teaching days: 28-29 June 2027. Camp period: 30 June-7 July 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 10 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 2.
• Honkiniemi 5B (H5B) Teaching days: 28-29 June 2027. Camp period: 30 June-7 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 11 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 3.
• Honkiniemi 6A (H6A) Teaching days: 5-6 July 2027. Camp period: 7-14 July 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 17 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 2.
• Honkiniemi 6B (H6B) Teaching days: 5-6 July 2027. Camp period: 7-14 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 18 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church. SELECTION GROUP 3.
• Honkiniemi 7A (H7A) Teaching days: 12-13 July 2027. Camp period: 14-21 July 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 24 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Honkiniemi 7B (H7B) Teaching days: 12-13 July 2027. Camp period: 14-21 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 25 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Honkiniemi 8A (H8A) Teaching days: 19-20 July 2027. Camp period: 21-28 July 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 31 July 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Honkiniemi 8B (H8B) Teaching days: 19-20 July 2027. Camp period: 21-28 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 1 August 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Honkiniemi 9 (H9) Teaching days: 26-27 July 2027. Camp period: 28 July-4 August 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 7 August 2027 at 10:00 am, Lakeuden Risti Church.

The camp fee is €100, which includes full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Participants arrange their own transportation to Lankari. The camps also include a day excursion to a nearby destination. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held mainly in Nurmo.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

• Lankari 1 / Accessible Confirmation Camp 1. Camp period: 15-19 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 20 June 2027 at Törnävä Church.
• Lankari 2: Teaching days arranged separately. Camp period: 21-28 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 4 July 2027 at Nurmo Church.
• Lankari 3: Teaching days arranged separately. Camp period: 28 June-5 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 11 July 2027 at Nurmo Church.
• Lankari 4 / Accessible Confirmation Camp 2. Camp period: 6-10 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 11 July 2027 at 10:00 am at Törnävä Church.

The camp fee is €100, which includes full board accommodation, meals during teaching days, and all study materials. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Ylistaro or Peräseinäjoki.

More information: luontoleirikeskus.fi

• Ahonniemi 1 Teaching days: 7-8 June 2027. Camp period: 9-16 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 20 June 2027 at Ylistaro Church.
• Ahonniemi 2 Teaching days: 14-15 June 2027. Camp period: 16-23 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 4 July 2027 at Peräseinäjoki Church.
• Ahonniemi 3 Teaching days: 28-29 June 2027. Camp period: 30 June-7 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 11 July 2027 at Peräseinäjoki Church.

The camp fee is €100, which includes coach transportation, full board accommodation during the camp, meals during teaching days, study materials, and any excursions included in the programme. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Seinäjoki.

More information: marttinen.fi

• Marttinen 1: Teaching days arranged separately. Camp period: 7-14 June 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 19 June 2027 at 10:00 am at Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Marttinen 2: Teaching days arranged separately. Camp period: 5-12 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 18 July 2027 at 10:00 am at Ylistaro Church.

The camp fee is €400, which includes coach and ferry transportation, hot meals during the journey, full board accommodation during the camp, meals during teaching days, study materials, and excursions. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days are held in Seinäjoki.

More information: havsgarden.com

• Archipelago Camp 1 Teaching days: 14-16 June 2027. Camp period: 17-24 June 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 3 July 2027 at 10:00 am at Lakeuden Risti Church.
• Archipelago Camp 2 Teaching days arranged separately. Camp period: 18-24 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 1 August 2027 at 10:00 am at Nurmo Church.

The camp fee is €200, which includes coach transportation, meals during travel, full board accommodation during the camp, study materials, and excursions. The winter holiday confirmation camp includes two skiing days at Ruka and an excursion to a nature destination. Ski lift passes are not included in the fee. The summer nature camp includes a couple of day hikes or excursions to nearby outdoor destinations. Preparatory meetings and pre-camp teaching days for the summer camp are held in Nurmo.

More information: oivanki.fi

• Nature Confirmation Camp Teaching day: 7 June 2027. Camp period: 8-15 June 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 20 June 2027 at 10:00 am at Nurmo Church.

The camp fee is €200, which includes coach transportation, meals during the hikes, and all study materials. If needed, the parish can provide hiking equipment on loan. The programme includes a mandatory practice hike and overnight camping trip in May 2027, as well as teaching days during the winter and spring/summer seasons.

More information: luontoon.fi

• Hetta-Pallas Hiking Confirmation Camp Practice hike: 22-23 May 2027. Camp period: 24-30 July 2027. Confirmation service: Sunday 8 August 2027 at 10:00 am at Lakeuden Risti Church.

The fee for the confirmation programme is €50, which includes meals during the programme period and all study materials. These confirmation programmes take place at the Nurmo Parish House, with participants returning home each evening.

Day confirmation programmes are intended especially for young people who may find it difficult to participate in a camp-based programme due to learning challenges, health-related reasons, or other special circumstances. Participants take part in many of the same activities as those attending camp programmes, but in a smaller group setting.

In addition to the intensive summer programme period, teaching sessions are held during the winter and spring on weekday evenings and weekends.

• Parish House 1 Teaching days arranged separately; winter holiday teaching period: 27 February-6 March 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 24 April 2027 at 1:00 pm at Nurmo Church.
• Parish House 2 Summer teaching period: 9-16 June 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 19 June 2027 at 11:00 am at Nurmo Church.
• Parish House 3 Summer teaching period: 28 July-4 August 2027. Confirmation service: Saturday 7 August 2027 at 11:00 am at Nurmo Church.

Confirmation school can be completed in different ways. It may take the form of a residential camp, a day programme, or evening sessions.

The most common option is a camp-based confirmation programme. There are also many themed camps available, including hiking, skiing, sailing, music, sports, and environmental camps.

During camp, participants take part in a variety of activities and spend a lot of time together. Evenings include organised programmes, singing, laughter, and good food. Confirmation camp encourages young people to participate actively, try new things, and reflect on important questions.

The programme is led by a minister and other parish staff. It also includes group leaders (isonen), who are slightly older young people serving as helpers and role models. Participants often learn a great deal from them because they are close in age. Many camps also have volunteer adults involved.

Information about confirmation programmes offered by your own parish can be found on your parish website. Various Christian organisations also organise confirmation programmes.

Most Finnish young people attend confirmation camp in the year they turn 15. Every year, more than 70% of 15-year-olds participate in confirmation camp. Participation is voluntary.

If a young person started school at the age of six, they may wish to attend confirmation camp at the same time as their classmates. In this case, the guardian must contact the parish priest (vicar) of their home parish. The vicar may grant permission for the young person to attend confirmation camp at the age of 14. It is, of course, also possible to attend a year later.

Everyone is welcome to take part in confirmation camp. If a young person has not been baptised, they can be baptised during the confirmation programme. If a young person has been baptised but is not a member of the Church, they may choose to join the Church.

Only young people who are members of the Church may participate in the confirmation service at the end of the confirmation programme.

Registration for confirmation camp usually takes place in early autumn of the year before the programme begins. For more information, please contact your local parish or one of the Christian organisations that organise confirmation camps.

Confirmation camp can also be completed as an adult. Upon request, all parishes arrange adult confirmation programmes either individually or in a group setting.

Confirmation camp concludes with a confirmation service. After confirmation, a young person may:

• serve as a godparent to a baptised child
• stand as a candidate parish elections after turning 18
• be married in a church wedding ceremony (completion of confirmation camp is sufficient for this)
• receive Holy Communion independently.

Young people deserve to be celebrated. One important milestone in many young people’s lives is completing confirmation camp, which is followed by a confirmation service held in church. Families often also arrange a confirmation celebration at home according to the wishes of the young person.
Read more about confirmation celebrations

All young people have the right to participate in confirmation camp. The Church wants every young person to have a positive and safe confirmation experience, regardless of their background, circumstances, or individual needs.

People learn in different ways, and this is taken into account in confirmation programmes. Although camp-based confirmation is the most common option, it is not the best fit for everyone. Sometimes a smaller group provides a better environment for learning, participation, and interaction with others.

For example, young people with intellectual disabilities may attend confirmation programmes designed for small groups, where plain language and visual supports are used. Confirmation programmes are also available in sign language for deaf and hard-of-hearing participants. In some cases, individual instruction with a minister at the participant’s own pace may be the most suitable option.

If you would benefit from a different type of programme or additional support during confirmation camp, please contact your parish’s confirmation minister well in advance. This will allow you to work together to find the confirmation programme that best meets your needs.

Do You Need to Memorise Anything?

The main goal of confirmation camp is to help young people understand the central teachings of Christianity. Learning something by heart does not necessarily mean rote memorisation. For example, it may simply mean being able to recite the Creed together with others.

Texts learned by heart are part of the overall preparation that confirmation camp provides for living as a Christian and participating in the worship life of the Church.

The following are common learning elements for all participants:

• The Apostles’ Creed
• The Lord’s Prayer
• The Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26)
• The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21)

During confirmation camp, participants also become familiar with the Bible and the Hymnal. In addition to the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments, discussions often focus on key passages from the Bible that express the core of the Christian faith, such as:

• The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40)
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
• The “Little Gospel” (John 3:16): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In confirmation camp, participants read the Bible, pray, and take part in church services. Prayer and devotional times are a natural part of the programme.

Spirituality in confirmation camp must be both safe and diverse. The aim is to help young people discover their own way of praying and participating in worship, also beyond confirmation camp. Prayer and faith can become a meaningful part of everyday life.

Reciting the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Blessing together connects young people to the shared worship tradition of the Church.

Young people themselves participate in planning and leading devotional moments during confirmation camp. Through shared experiences, they may discover how meaningful quiet and reflective moments can be.

Devotional times are also linked to the major questions of life that are explored throughout the confirmation programme.

Music is an important part of confirmation camp. It is present in church services as well as in many other moments during camp life. Through singing or playing music, young people can experience God’s presence, express their feelings, and feel part of a community.

Confirmation school safety guidelines can be found on the evl.fi/plus website.