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Hiking in the Vajosuo trail in Kurjenrahka National park. The hike was planned by the participants, route, gear and snacks included. A beautiful day for a walk with a swarm of mosquitos, which we also survived. Part of the adventure education journey are the thoughts, the realizations, the conversation before, during and after the events. One participant stated during the hike:" When you look at these trees here, you realize what struggle means". What do you think the person meant by this?

The FATE (From Adventure to Employment) project brought together three organizations from Finland, Lithuania, and North Macedonia, united by a shared commitment to supporting young people through adventure education, international mobility, and non-formal learning. Valo-Valmennusyhdistys (Finland) works to promote the wellbeing, inclusion, and employability of young people through coaching, youth work, and experiential learning opportunities. SFERA (Lithuania) supports young people's personal and social development through youth exchanges, volunteering, active citizenship, and international cooperation. Innovative Generation (North Macedonia) empowers young people by creating opportunities for learning, participation, entrepreneurship, and intercultural dialogue. Together, these organizations created opportunities for young people to connect across borders, develop life skills through adventure education, and gain valuable experiences that support their journey toward employment, active citizenship, and lifelong learning.

From Adventure to Employment (FATE), an Erasmus+ cooperation project that supported the self-development of young people with fewer opportunities through adventure education, experiential learning activities, and personal coaching. The project’s aim was to strengthen participants’ confidence, social skills, self-esteem, employability, and readiness for further education while promoting inclusion, active citizenship, and well-being. The project’s primary target group was young people under the age of 30 who were currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET). FATE specifically supported young people facing additional barriers, such as mental health challenges, social exclusion, or limited access to educational and employment opportunities. Through guided adventures, international exchanges, peer support activities, and individual coaching, participants were encouraged to recognize their strengths, develop life and work skills, and build pathways towards education or employment.

On our way to the Transnational meeting in Vilnius, check Valo's reel from Vilnius:

Trying, balancing, and learning together! At Turku Ohjaamo's Harrastamaan Fair, we hosted a slackline workshop where young people and youth workers could experience adventure education in practice. We also shared the outcomes of the FATE project and introduced how its adventure activities and Mind Trail coaching will continue through Valo's Open Youth Workshop. Adventure doesn't end when a project ends, it continues through new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect.

At the ULOS-UT-OUT Seminar in Tampere, outdoor and adventure education professionals from different countries joined us to explore the impact of the FATE project through the workshop "Will You Step Onto the Mind Trail?" Using adventure education methods and learning by doing, participants experienced in teams the Mind Trail through challenging tasks in Finland, Lithuania and North Macedonia. At the end each person explored the coaching cards that have been used with young people in Finland, Lithuania, and North Macedonia throughout the project. The workshop highlighted the project's Most Significant Change findings and shared stories of how FATE has influenced the lives of both young people and youth workers. Through reflection, participation, and shared experiences, the workshop demonstrated how meaningful adventures can lead to lasting personal growth, international connections, and positive change. The European Guide that you are now exploring, is a part of the project results that will continue to be used after the project itself is over.

The international sailing adventure brought together 15 young people and 6 youth workers from Finland, Lithuania, and North Macedonia for a week-long journey aboard a traditional schooner from Turku to Helsinki. Through shared responsibilities, rotating watch teams, and daily tasks, participants developed teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Evenings on the Finnish islands offered opportunities for intercultural exchange through games, music, conversations, and international social evenings. Daily reflections helped participants explore their experiences, increase self-awareness, and recognize the importance of individual contributions to group success. The voyage demonstrated the value of adventure education in fostering personal growth, intercultural understanding, and international friendships. By sailing and learning together, participants strengthened their confidence and built meaningful connections that will last beyond the project.

The peer-to-peer online meetings successfully extended the FATE project experience beyond physical activities in three countries, fostering creativity, cultural exchange, friendship, and international cooperation. They demonstrated that adventure education can also take place online through meaningful connections, shared learning, and collaboration, helping participants develop confidence, curiosity, and a global perspective.The meetings featured interactive activities that encouraged participation and strengthened relationships among young people. Participants created vision and dream boards to express their goals and aspirations, took part in quizzes about each other’s countries and cultures, and shared experiences from their daily lives. These exchanges promoted intercultural understanding while improving language, communication, and social skills.Through peer-led presentations, young people learned about programmes such as the European Solidarity Corps, Peace Corps, and other international initiatives.

Building Confidence Through New Challenges. Trying a new activity can feel intimidating at first, but every participant had the opportunity to progress at their own pace. Learning basic fencing techniques helped build self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment through practice and perseverance.

We visited the Ispoinen lean-to several times during the project. It was a perfect place to work together to learn the skills needed to build and light a campfire safely in a fire pit without the matches. Adventure education emphasizes learning by doing, and the group quickly discovered that making a fire with the fire striker requires patience, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. After we succeeded in getting the fire started we also explored how to cook on the open fire. One of the times we managed to cook mudcakes in a orange peel and they were very tasty!

Our circus activity session invited participants to explore modified acrobatics in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. Adventure education encourages young people to step beyond their comfort zones, try new skills, and discover what they are capable of through hands-on experiences. So thats what we did, each one of us had our own goals to try something new.

Building Connections Through Nature and Animal Interaction. Our alpaca walk offered participants a unique opportunity to connect with both nature and animals through a calm and engaging outdoor experience. Adventure education encourages learning through meaningful experiences, and walking alongside alpacas offered us that. The walk invited participants to slow down, be present, and engage with their surroundings in a new way.

Solving Challenges Together Through Adventure Education. Our escape room experience challenged participants to work together, think creatively, and stay focused under pressure. Adventure education uses activities like escape rooms to create opportunities for teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in an engaging and supportive environment.

Although the group had planned a sailing adventure, a technical failure in the boat’s engine meant the trip could not proceed safely. This unexpected situation highlighted an important principle of adventure education: responsible decision-making and safety must always come first. Participants learned that being adventurous also means recognizing risks, adapting to changing circumstances, and prioritizing everyone’s well-being. Despite the change of plans, the group made the most of the experience by sharing lunch aboard the boat and engaging in conversations about flexibility, expectations, and resilience. The activity reminded participants that meaningful adventures are not defined only by reaching a destination, but also by the lessons learned, the connections built, and the ability to remain positive when things do not go as expected.

Whether walking across a frozen river, sharing conversations over hot chocolate, or connecting with animals, participants discovered that adventure is not only about excitement and challenge, but also about curiosity, wellbeing, and meaningful experiences shared together.

Walking along wet and slippery trails through the marshland reminded us that adventure education is often about much more than reaching a destination. Every step required concentration, balance, and trust in ourselves as we moved carefully through the changing conditions of the natural environment. The wet conditions required participants to slow down, focus, and pay attention to their surroundings. By engaging multiple senses, participants developed a deeper connection with the natural environment while strengthening their confidence and ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Every Plant Has a Story. Through adventure education, the botanical garden became more than a collection of plants. It became a space for exploration, curiosity, reflection, and personal growth, reminding us that adventure can be found in learning about the living world around us. Quote from this day: “I realized adventure does not mean that you have to do something really grand , it can be a small little thing to be explored”

Whether discovering a hidden cache, solving a clue, or helping a teammate navigate, every contribution played an important role. The activity highlighted how teamwork, communication, and collective effort can turn small achievements into meaningful successes. After the geo caching we enjoyed making smores together on the open fire.

Throughout the FATE project, cooking became much more than preparing food. It was an opportunity to learn, experiment, collaborate, and share cultures through hands-on experiences. Whether gathered around a campfire or cooking together outdoors, participants discovered that some of the best learning happens when we try new things and enjoy the process together.From making s’mores and campfire mud cakes to grilling vegetarian and traditional local foods, preparing hot dogs, and brewing coffee over an open fire, every cooking session offered new challenges and memorable moments. Participants worked together, shared recipes and traditions from their countries, and learned practical outdoor cooking skills through experimentation and teamwork.Cooking together naturally encouraged communication, cooperation, and cultural exchange.

The FATE group spent a beautiful spring day exploring the coastal nature of Ruissalo's Kuuvannokka, where every step offered new opportunities for discovery and connection with the natural world. Adventure education encourages curiosity and observation, and nature rewarded us with plenty to see. Along the way, participants spotted several snakes emerging from their winter hibernation, admired a sea of blooming liverleaf flowers, and were lucky enough to encounter a roe deer. These unexpected wildlife encounters sparked conversations about local ecosystems and reminded us of the importance of slowing down and paying attention to our surroundings. Of course, no adventure is complete without sharing a meal together. Lunch was enjoyed with a stunning sea view, providing time for reflection, conversation, and appreciating the simple joys of spending time outdoors with friends. Through adventure education, even a spring walk becomes an opportunity to learn, connect, and create lasting memories. The day demonstrated that meaningful experiences can be found in nature's small wonders, shared moments, and the joy of exploring together.

Our guided hike offered participants the opportunity to slow down, explore, and build a meaningful connection with the natural environment. Through adventure education, nature becomes both the classroom and the teacher, encouraging curiosity, reflection, and personal growth.

Our outdoor climbing park adventure encouraged participants to step beyond their comfort zones, embrace challenges, and discover their capabilities in a unique natural environment. Navigating courses high among the trees required courage, focus, and determination while offering plenty of opportunities for personal growth. Feedback from the day: "I noticed that when I was able to do the smaller challenges and succeeded, it gave me courage to try something harder."

During our climbing sessions, participants practiced perseverance, focus, and self-belief while working toward their individual goals. Whether reaching the top or overcoming personal fears, every achievement was a success worth celebrating. One of the many good reasons to visit the climbing center several times during the project.Adventure education activities involved the youth in planning the activities, preparing for it, implementing the activity and after the activities, having the reflection conversations with the youth workers and peers. As one of our participants said in our reflection conversation: “I am not so afraid of trying something new or hard anymore, since I was able to overcome my fear of climbing up the wall and was able to come down safely too. If I can survive this, I feel I can survive other things too. It really made me feel good about myself!”

An adventure in every step! Through mushroom hunting, participants became nature explorers, developing observation skills, confidence, teamwork, and environmental awareness. Adventure education helps young people learn by experiencing, discovering, and connecting with the natural world.

Valo-Valmennusyhdistys (Valo) is a Finnish non-profit organization and social enterprise dedicated to promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and active participation in society. Founded in 2016, Valo supports people in vulnerable life situations through coaching, social and work rehabilitation, education, and community-based services. The organization helps individuals build pathways toward employment, education, independent living, and meaningful engagement in their communities. Valo was the lead coordinator of the From Adventure to Employment (FATE) project and was responsible for the overall management, coordination, financial administration, implementation and reporting of the project.

Learning from nature, together.Through birdwatching, young people experienced how patience and observation can lead to exciting discoveries. Adventure education encourages participants to engage with nature actively, build environmental awareness, and enjoy the rewards of shared exploration. And another thing we enjoyed, learning how to make crepes with a camp cooker!

As part of our adventure education journey, the group explored local habitats, learning to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural world. Practicing mindfulness and curiosity while strengthening participants' appreciation for biodiversity and the environment. A participant's realization about the day: "I realized I can be better present in the nature, even if I have had stress and challenges in my everyday life. Like I have space to think and I hear my thoughts."

Hitting the target one shot at a time! During our archery session, participants challenged themselves, practiced focus and self-control, and experienced the joy of learning a new skill together. Adventure education is all about building confidence through memorable experiences and positive challenges. One of our feedbacks from the event: " It was so cool to realize that I got this, it was not easy but I understood it mentally how the technique works and I got it! It really made me feel good, I have not felt so good about myself 'cause I thought I can't do much. I have just been home and not challenged myself at all with anything lately".

Gathering around an open fire, the group took on the challenge of making crepes outdoors on an open fire. While the results ranged from perfect to creatively imperfect, the real achievement was working together, supporting one another, and embracing the learning process. Adventure education values effort, teamwork, and shared experiences more than perfect outcomes. At the end – all the crepes were gone not matter what they looked liked!

Hiking the Savojärvi trail in Kurjenrahka National park in the silence of the wetlands and the wonders of the nature. The day hike offered the opportunity to slow down, observe wildlife and experience the power of shared adventures

Guided grooming and walking horses encouraged the participants to step outside their comfort zones and overcome fears of preconceptions. Interacting with the horses and other animals at the stables supported self-confidence as one of the participants stated: “I realized afterwords that I actually can do this, I can walk a big horse and feel connected to it instead of being afraid, that felt good. I could survive my fears.”

Humak organized a four-day adventure education training programme for youth workers in December 2024 in Helsinki. The training combined classroom learning at the Humak campus with practical outdoor activities in Nuuksio National Park. Participants completed preparatory reading on adventure and outdoor education before the training, and during the programme they applied the theoretical concepts through experiential activities. This hands-on approach helped youth workers connect theory with practice and develop a deeper understanding of adventure education methods.

Most Significant Change -method workshop in National Adventure Education days provided by Humak lecturers Olli Kamunen & Jussi Hynninen

Humak is a national university of applied sciences specializing in community development, cultural production, and linguistic accessibility. ”Together with our students, staff, and partners, we are building a humane and sustainable tomorrow.”