let us introduce us

Our mission and vision

Hostel Suomenlinna organizes high-quality, primary school curriculum-supporting camp schools and other camps in a unique environment. The camp schools and other camp activities carry out cultural heritage education related to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Suomenlinna. Individual travelers, companies, and other groups are warmly welcome aswell. The core activities of the Finnish Camp School Association is partly funded by the surplus of Hostel Suomenlinna.

Located in the archipelago just a 15-minute ferry ride from the capital city's center, the site provides a setting for unique experiences. Organizing camp schools and other youth camps at Hostel Suomenlinna is easy, safe, affordable, and reliable for teachers and instructors. The operations are consistent in quality and are continuously developed. The values and strategic goals of the Finnish Camp School Association provide the framework for non-profit activities.

Hostel Suomenlinna is a responsible camp center and accommodation provider, with its operations funding the activities of the Finnish Camp School Association and enabling the framework for high-quality camp school and other camp activities. In its camp schools and other camp activities, Hostel Suomenlinna implements environmental and cultural heritage education related to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Suomenlinna.

Values behind our operations

Responsible
‍Responsibility is the foundation of our operations. We aim for and measure concrete results in environmental, sociocultural, and economic aspects. At Hostel Suomenlinna, we update our sustainable tourism development plan annually.

Truly Customer-Oriented
‍We listen carefully to our guests wishes and respond to them individually without overly rigid principles. Guest needs and feedback serve as the basis for the continuous development of our operations.

Individual and Equal
‍Hostel Suomenlinna is a safe and discrimination-free area. Customers are met and served as equal individuals, and any form of discrimination is not tolerated.

Flexible and Relaxed
‍A cheerful and flexible staff enables comfort and a positive guest experience. Creating a relaxed atmosphere is an important element of our daily work.

Responsible guest house

It is important for us to take care of our environment through our choices and practices. For us, sustainable development is more than just recycling—it is the starting point and foundation for all our operations. We pay attention to environmental, sociocultural, and economic dimensions in our daily decisions. We maintain our sustainable tourism development plan and monitor the achievement of our goals annually. The hostel has been awarded the Hi-Q&S certificate from Hostelling International for responsible accommodation providers, which requires our commitment to sustainable development principles in our operations. We also hold the Sustainable Travel Finland label, which requires us to implement concrete responsibility measures systematically.

Examples of Our Sustainable Choices:

Careful sorting of waste and facilitating it for our customers as well
Supporting local products and, where possible, using organic options for all animal-based products
Continuously increasing the proportion of vegetarian and vegan meals in our catering services
Offering fair trade products (coffee, tea, etc.)
Requiring responsibility and certification from our partners
Utilizing renewable eco-energy certified by the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation
Maintaining a paperless office and printing double-sided
Involving staff in development and emphasizing teamwork
Regular recreational days and equitable shift planning
Frequently offering jobs after internships or civil service; we value every employee
Close cooperation with tourism operators in Suomenlinna
Implementing environmental education and cultural heritage education in our camp school activities

Sustainable tourism development plan

Welcome all colours of the rainbow

We are part of the Finnish LGBTQ+ friendly community We Speak Gay and as a member, we are committed to treating all our guests, employees, and partners with respect and equality. We want to create an atmosphere where all our guests feel they can be themselves as they are. Hostel Suomenlinna is a safe and discrimination-free area, and we do not tolerate any form of inappropriate speech or behavior—from anyone. To us, all colors of the rainbow are equal!

Camp Center of Finnish Camp School association

For outdoor education since 1975

The Finnish Camp School Association (Suomen Leirikouluyhdistys ry) has been implementing and developing camp school activities that support learning, growth, and well-being, as well as other camp-based activities aligned with the association's goals on a national level. The association maintains a comprehensive network of camp school centers throughout Finland.

The association's goal is that every child has the opportunity to attend a camp school during their primary school education, regardless of their financial situation. The association has been working nationally to promote outdoor education since 1975.

Our operations in a nutshell

We develop outdoor education and camp school activities to address current societal challenges in education and upbringing
We promote the equitable implementation of outdoor education on a national level
We communicate current issues while providing visibility for our members
We organize training activities for teachers, our members, and professionals in youth and education sectors
We develop international cooperation and maintain contact with our Nordic sister organizations
We advocate for equality and cultural diversity, as well as sustainability and cultural heritage education
We operate our own camp center, serving not only camp schools but also other groups and travelers to fund the core activities of the association

By using the services of Hostel Suomenlinna, you support the development of outdoor education!