Free hobbies in schools reach hundreds of children

In the autumn semester of 2024, Vaasa’s basic education schools will organise around 46 free clubs for pupils in grades 1–9 and almost 70 weekly free hobby activities through the Vaasa model for leisure activities.

For Autumn term 2024, the hobby activities in schools will start in September, so parents should follow the information on Wilma closely.

– Each school informs about its clubs directly in Wilma, so you should follow your school’s messages and newsletters especially attentively in the early autumn, say project coordinator Anne Lamminen.

Filmmaking, creative hobbies and the joy of movement

Vaasa aims to give every child and young person in Vaasa the opportunity to take part in a fun and free activity as part of their school day.

– This autumn’s activities look delightfully varied, and new activities are on offer. Many old favorites continue, such as handicrafts, and a variety of sports clubs. Among the newer favorites, gaming and digital skills also continue. Pupils’ wishes have been listened to very carefully, says Lamminen.

Schools also organize a wide variety of club activities, which vary from school to school.

The range of activities varies from school to school

The range of activities offered by each school depends on the wishes of the pupils and the school as well as on the actors involved in organising activities in each area.

The range of activities therefore varies from school to school. And the activities organised in a particular school are aimed exclusively at pupils from that school.

There are also two clubs open to all secondary school pupils. Ritz and Youth Services organise a film club in collaboration with Film Centre Botnia, while the Creative Storytelling Club meets at the libraries in partnership with Cooperative 3E.

The hobbies are organised in cooperation between the City of Vaasa’s basic education and many other units of the city and other partners, such as local associations and clubs, that offer hobby activities.

Hobbies selected based on suggestions from children and young people

When planning the selection of activities, it is important to listen to the wishes of children and young people.

The hobbies are organised in Vaasa’s primary schools with project funding for the Vaasa model for leisure activities granted by the Regional State Administrative Agency for Western and Inland Finland and with a special grant from the Finnish National Board of Education.

The main objective of the Vaasa model for leisure activities is to increase the well-being of children and young people. Its implementation is coordinated by the City of Vaasa Youth Services.