Laughter Carried Them Through the Rapids and Beyond Their Limits

When a group of adults who had never met before arrived in Ruka for an adventure camp, no one knew what kind of team they would become. Five days later, they had conquered rapids, climbed fells and pushed beyond their comfort zones. But after so much laughter, it was the people themselves who ultimately proved to be the best part of the camp.

The idea for an adults-only adventure camp came from Kanerva Jääskeläinen’s Instagram followers. Known on social media as Seikkailumuikku, Jääskeläinen had often been asked to organise a trip for people who wanted to enjoy the same kinds of adventures as she did but lacked the company, experience or confidence to set off alone.

When she asked her followers what kind of trip they would like to join, the answers varied. One wish, however, came up repeatedly: the opportunity to try a wide range of activities.

That inspired an adult version of a childhood summer camp—a few days devoted to trying new things, throwing yourself into the experience and discovering what you are capable of.

White-water rafting was part of the plan from the beginning. It also led Jääskeläinen to Rukapalvelu, which became the partner responsible for organising the camp, held from 5 to 9 August. Professional guides looked after the activities and safety, while Jääskeläinen acted as the trip leader, kept everyone’s spirits high and joined the adventures herself.

Strangers Soon Became a Team

The participants had never met before, and the age difference between the youngest and oldest members of the group was almost 30 years. Some had followed Jääskeläinen for a long time, while others had only recently discovered Seikkailumuikku—either on Instagram or Facebook.

Before the camp, Jääskeläinen wondered how quickly people from such different backgrounds would find common ground. She soon had her answer.

“You could already tell over the first lunch that the group worked well together. Everyone had a wonderful sense of humour. We laughed an incredible amount throughout the week,” she says.

The participants joked that a Seikkailumuikku trip could only ever attract good people. Jääskeläinen had encouraged her followers not to let age, money or a lack of confidence stop them from joining. For one participant, those words provided the final push they needed to make the booking.

“I Did It!”

The programme gave every participant an opportunity to test their limits in their own way. On the very first evening, one participant was so happy with the start of the camp, that he wanted to buy pizza for the entire group,” Jääskeläinen tells.

Two participants also found the courage to try downhill mountain biking. White-water rafting brought both thrilling speed and powerful feelings of achievement. The rafting day became the group’s clear favourite.

What mattered, however, was not who moved the fastest or dared the most. Everyone was free to feel nervous, give things a try and surprise themselves in supportive company. The professional guides provided a clear and safe framework for each activity, while equipment could be changed or adjusted to suit individual needs. The schedule was also flexible whenever circumstances required it.

“Everything was taken care of. We always knew where we needed to be and when we were leaving, and every request was accommodated,” Jääskeläinen says.

Curiosity Has No Age Limit

Ruka–Kuusamo proved to be a natural setting for an adventure camp. Its rugged scenery and extensive range of activities made it possible to try many different things within just a few days. For participants travelling from southern Finland, the region was also conveniently accessible.

Jääskeläinen feels a particularly strong connection to the Oulanka and Kitka rivers, with their dramatic cliffs and canyon-like scenery.

“When you are paddling between those rugged cliffs and everything around you is completely silent, you experience something that is uniquely Kuusamo. It is a powerful wilderness silence—steep, untamed and something you can feel throughout your body. The energy there is unlike anywhere else.”

Named Travel Influencer of the Year 2026 in Finland, Jääskeläinen wants her work to remind people that adventure does not require a plane ticket to the other side of the world. New experiences can be found in your own hometown, in nearby nature or while travelling within your own country.

The adventure camp for adults also highlighted another important truth: curiosity has no age limit. Adults, too, long for the atmosphere of summer camp, shared experiences and the freedom to throw themselves into something new.

“You do not always have to go alone. The camp was a reminder of childlike curiosity and the value of embracing new experiences. Many participants said how glad they were that they had decided to come—and that the camp had not merely met their expectations but exceeded them.”

Jääskeläinen has already received enquiries about future community trips and has promised there will be more to come. New adventure camps are being planned for both summer and winter, and Rukapalvelu would be delighted to continue the partnership.

Kanerva sums up the atmosphere of the first camp in three expressions: roaring laughter, embracing the moment and curiosity.

Over five days, they created something no ready-made itinerary could guarantee: a group of strangers became a team that might happily set off on another adventure together.