Fall break at Karhunpesä
The Honkiniemi Nature Camp Centre offers activities for the whole family.
The Seinäjoki Parish is organising a new type of full- and half-board vacation program in Honkiniemi, Ähtäri, during fall break (week 42). The days intended for the whole family include, among other activities, outdoor escapes, building birdhouses, a trip to a real bear’s winter den and a nature hike in a forest full of berries and mushrooms.
“The purpose is for the whole family to enjoy their time together. The activities aren’t just 15-minute bursts; they give you the time to properly immerse yourself in them. Even the smallest of the family can participate if accompanied by an adult”, says the head of the camping centre activities, Markku Autio.
Tailor a vacation that’s just right for you
The Seinäjoki Parish’s nature camp centres welcome the travellers all year round to enjoy the lake views, forest trails and a wide variety of activities.
“We already know about the health benefits that forest walks have; that’s why we want to offer the possibility to come and experience it together with the whole family”, says Autio.
The Fall break package is built to be flexible. You can reserve your stay for one or more days; you don’t need to commit to a whole week; you can choose between a half-board and a full-board package. Both packages include breakfast and an evening snack; with half-board, you can choose either lunch or dinner, and full board includes both.
“During the Fall break week’s hikes, we will stop at a tent or campfire site to make pancakes and enjoy a snack. At the same time, we will learn about nature and what it has to offer.”
Activities at no extra cost
The Seinäjoki parish owns three camping centres: Honkiniemi, on the shore of Ähtärinjärvi, Lankari, along Nurmojoki, and Ahonniemi, on the shore of Kalajärvi.
“At Honkiniemi, we offer the travellers a wide range of experiences all year-round. Guests also have access to a frisbee golf track, nature trails, playing fields, boats, canoes, SUP boards and grill spots. During the winter season, Honkiniemi also offers, among other things, a natural ice skating track”.
Even though the centre’s primary purpose is to offer a setting primarily for the parish’s youth, they are also available for travellers, companies, corporations and groups wanting to organise a party.
“Nature is the big candy for us. We focused on making sure our customers have plenty of fun and do healthy outdoor activities”, says Autio.
Text: Jaakko Jokela
Picture: Matti Hautalahti
Translation: Ennio Roberto Sapatiello
