The finnish bahá'í Summer school
The Summer School is a national event of the Finnish Bahá'í Community. It is a happening in which people meet one another, study together, deepen on and become acquainted with the Bahá'í writings, and participate in a wide range of activities. All over the world various Bahá'í communities arrange similar types of schools.
The National Bahá'í Summer School is held generally around the same time each year, at the end of June and the beginning of July. It lasts around four to five days. The general participation is around 200 to 300 people per school.
Venue
The Summer School is held at Alkio College in Korpilahti, about 30 kilometers from the centre of Jyväskylä.
Address:
Alkio College, Tähtiniementie 26, Korpilahti
Arriving by bus
Bus times can be found on matkahuolto.fi and Jyväskylän reittiopas, which actually runs the route. The closest bus stop is called Korpilahti and it is about 15 minutes by foot from the venue, or 10 minutes by car.
Prices
The pricing for the Summer School is viewable here.
Registration
Please register early to ensure your place at the Summer School! Registration will open on Monday, March 4th.
Study
During the school there are arranged lectures and group discussions dealing with the theme of each school. The school themes generally deal with subjects of present day importance, and the multifaceted development of the individual, the community, and humankind.
Besides lectures and group discussions, there are many workshops: workshops concerning the deepening of school themes or present-day subjects through discussion, workshops developing various artistic or crafts, workshops for children and pre-youth, physical education workshops, as well as workshops for volunteering.
Children also have their own program during the main lectures. Children ages 5 to 14 have classes for their specific age group. During the school there is also an evening "Youth Forum" for youth and pre-youth.
Devotions
Every morning and evening the friends join together at a certain place to quietly listen to the Holy Writings (read, chanted, or sung), while often listening to beautiful music as well. Each school also has a prayer room for personal prayer and reflection, or meditation. Special devotions may be arranged during the school.
Recreation
Each school has time arranged for recreational activities as well as free time for getting to know one another. Evening activities include, for example, musical recitals, drama, recreational competitions (in a friendly spirit), games, travel stories, poetry readings, and the telling of jokes – always something for everyone!
Depending on the schedule, many schools have a day set aside specifically for recreation. It is often spent swimming or eating near the beach, or just being together.
Volunteer to Help
School Commitee's email address:
Each school needs volunteers to help, so that the school is a success. You can choose to be a volunteer for various needs listed below – simply choose what you are interested in doing
The Following Services are Needed:
- Helper for Children's Classes
- Daily Master of Ceremonies (for announcements, etc. – must know both Finnish and English)
- Preparing Morning and Evening Devotions (using school participants as readers – about 10 – 15 minutes per devotions)
- Implementing the Morning and Evening Devotions (Communities may also volunteer)
- Caretaker for the Prayer Room
- Evening Program
- Music
- Art
- First Aid
- Photographer
- Ready to Volunteer for Any Needed Activity
You can also volunteer to arrange an evening activity or afternoon workshop!
Please send us your offer to volunteer at the Summer School to the School Committee's email address: kesakoulut(at)bahai.fi