Nordic Homesteading & Wilderness Survival 2027
The Folk High School Residency: 20-Day Intensive Course
Dates: June 1– June 21, 2027
Location: Folk Summer High School (Basecamp), Finland
Theme: Traditional Self-Sufficiency, Ancient Crafts, and Wilderness Mastery
Course Overview
Experience the raw beauty of the North and master the skills of our ancestors. This 21-day intensive program is designed for those who want to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the land. From the hum of the beehive to the heat of the forest, you will learn to sustain yourself using traditional Nordic methods.
The Pace: 20 consecutive days of hands-on learning (5–8 hours per day) with 2 resting days to explore and enjoy the surrounding nature. Total immersion.
Workshop Details:
The 20-Day Journey
Phase 1: The Wild & The Hive
- Days 1–2: Expedition. A 2-day wilderness trek. Master navigation, traditional fire-making, and the art of sleeping under the stars. Tytti Arponen
- Days 3–4: Practical Beekeeping (Part I). Introduction to the apiary. Learn bee biology and perform hive inspections during the peak of the Nordic summer. Maritta Martikkala
- Day 5: Rest and enjoy your surroundings independently
- Days 6–7: Hide Tanning (Part I). Begin the ancient process of tanning. Scrape, clean, and prepare raw hides for natural tannin immersion. Kari Rauha
Phase 2: Traditional Crafts
- Day 8–11: Knife Making. A 3-day masterclass. Shape your own Nordic blade, craft a wooden handle, and sew a custom leather sheath. Kari Rauha
- Days 12–13: Hide Tanning (Part II). Finish the leather. The physical work of softening and finishing your hand-tanned hides. Kari Rauha
- Day 14: Rest and enjoy your surroundings independently
- Days 15–16: Spinning Wool. Master the spinning wheel. Carding and spinning raw fleece into high-quality yarn. Susanna Soisalo
Phase 3: Harvest & Woodwork
- Days 17–18: Beekeeping (Part II). The harvest. Extracting honey, processing wax, and preparing the colony for the late summer. Maritta Martikkala
- Day 19–20: Chainsaw Carving: Shape the Nordic Timber. This hands-on course takes you through the entire process of transforming a raw log into a finished piece of art that you can take home with you. Juha Käkelä
- Day 21: Departure & Farewells
(Breakfast 8:00–10:00, checkout by 12:00)
Practical Details
- Accommodation: Always at the Folk High School except for the first night and guided tour to the wild.
- Language: The course is conducted entirely in English.
- Atmosphere: Learning by doing. Expect physical work, fresh air, and deep community bonding.
- Meals: All meals included.
Daily Meal Rhythm
- 08:00 – 8:45 | Breakfast
- 12:00 – 12:45 | Lunch Break
- 16:00-16:45 | Dinner
- 19:00 onwards | Free time (Swimming, hiking, bonfire nights)
- Independently served night snack in Linna’s smaller kitchen from 20.00–22.00
Tytti Arponen – Nature & Wilderness Guide
Tytti has a deep, practical understanding of the Finnish forest. She will guide you into the secrets of wilderness survival and help you truly connect with the Finnish nature.
Kari ”Kartsa” Rauha – Primitive Survival & Craft Specialist
When it comes to survival skills using primitive methods, Kari’s expertise is truly in a league of its own. In his workshops, you will learn the ancient arts of traditional leather tanning and how to craft your very own Finnish knife (puukko).
Susanna Soisalo – Traditional Wool & Spinning Expert
Susanna will introduce you to the heritage of fiber arts. You will learn the traditional methods of processing raw sheep’s wool and the beautiful, meditative craft of spinning it into yarn.
Maritta Martikkala – Professional in Beekeeping
Step into the wondrous world of bees with Maritta, a seasoned professional in apiculture. She will take you behind the scenes to explore the incredible process of honey making and discover the many vital benefits bees bring to our ecosystem.
Juha Käkelä – Chainsaw Sculptor & Wood Artisan
Chainsaw carving is deeply rooted in Finnish totemic culture, traditionally used to capture the spirit of majestic forest animals like bears and owls. Under Juha’s guidance, you will learn how wood behaves, how to manage natural cracks, and how to apply traditional finishes using fire and oils. This course also offers a unique opportunity to test the industry’s absolute best woodworking tools.
Accommodation & Life at the Opisto
Experience the authentic ”Folk High School” lifestyle in our cozy on-campus dormitories.
- Duration: 21 Days / 20 Nights.
- Full Board: Includes 20 nights of accommodation and all daily meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee, dinner and night snack) featuring local Finnish flavors.
- Facilities: 24/7 access to surrounding nature, bonfire nights, and scenic hiking trails.
Investment & Registration
- Early Bird Price: 2650 € (Valid until January 31, 2027)
- Regular Price: 2950 € (From February 1, 2027 onwards)
- The price is all-inclusive covering all: Program, high-quality materials (including the reindeer hide), accommodation, and all meals.
How to Get Here
Hartola is easily accessible from Finland’s capital, Helsinki.
- By Bus: Express buses run frequently from the Helsinki Central Bus Station (Kamppi) directly to Hartola (stop: Jari-Pekka Hartola). The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.
- From the Bus Stop: It is a scenic 30-minute walk from the bus stop to the Itä-Hämeen Opisto campus.
- By Car: About a 2-hour drive from Helsinki via the E75 highway. Free parking is available on campus.
How to Register
- Visit our Website: Go to the official residency page at ihop.fi.
- Fill out the Form: Click the ”Register Now” button to access the official Google Forms page.
- Provide Details: Complete the form with your contact information, dietary requirements, and artistic background.
- Confirmation: You will receive a confirmation email with payment instructions to finalize your registration.
Important Dates:
- Early Bird Discount: Register by January 31, 2027, to save 300 €.
- Final Registration 29.3.2027.
Terms & Cancellation
- Payment: After filling out the Google Form, an invoice for the deposit or full amount will be sent to your email.
- Insurance: We strongly recommend all international participants obtain personal travel insurance to cover any unexpected changes in their plans.
- The programme and schedules are subject to change. More detailed schedules will be announced in April once the course is confirmed after the registration deadline. The Institution reserves the right to all changes.
Questions? If you have any trouble with the form or need more details, please contact us at kurssit@ihop.fi.
Changes are possible. The course will be held depending on the number of participants.
ihop.fi 