This year’s programme was designed to combine learning the Polish language with creative play, scientific experiments, physical activity and discovering the world together. Many of the activities were inspired by Justyna Bednarek’s book The Amazing Adventures of Ten Socks, which accompanied us throughout the week.

Monday – A Creative Start to the Adventure

The first day of camp began with getting to know one another and introducing the week’s programme. The children then listened to excerpts from Justyna Bednarek’s The Amazing Adventures of Ten Socks. The humorous and imaginative story quickly won the participants’ hearts and became an inspiration for many of the following activities.

After the reading session, the children took part in an arts and crafts workshop where they created unique sock puppets. Each puppet was different and reflected the creativity and imagination of its young creator.

The first day also included educational activities related to nature. The children discussed what plants need to grow and then began a special experiment that accompanied us throughout the entire camp week. Each participant created their own grass “Hedgehog.” During the following days, the children watered their plants regularly and observed the first green “spines” appearing. Through this activity, they learned first-hand how important water, sunlight and daily care are for plant growth.

The day concluded with outdoor team-building games and activities that helped participants get to know each other better and created a welcoming atmosphere for the week ahead. It was already clear on the first day that an exciting week of learning, discovery and adventure lay ahead.

Tuesday – Learning and Fun by the Sea

We spent the second day in beautiful Nallikari. The sunny weather provided excellent conditions for outdoor activities, group games and social interaction among participants.

During the day’s activities, we returned to the adventures of the extraordinary socks, which inspired interesting discussions and language exercises. One of the highlights of the day was the scientific experiment “The Unsinkable Boat,” during which the children explored basic principles of physics and discovered how exciting science can be when experienced through hands-on activities.

At the end of this active day, all participants enjoyed a sweet surprise – delicious ice cream, the perfect ending to a sunny day by the sea.

Wednesday – A Day for Young Explorers and Artists

Wednesday focused on experiments, Polish language learning and creative work. The day began with a colourful chemistry experiment that generated great excitement and enthusiasm. Observing fascinating chemical reactions allowed the children to discover the world of science through experience and play.

During Polish language classes, participants practised spelling rules through games, puzzles and age-appropriate exercises. We also continued reading The Amazing Adventures of Ten Socks, after which the children created colourful posters featuring the story’s characters.

In the afternoon, we went for a walk in the park, enjoying outdoor games, physical activities and time together. Although we were caught in the rain on our way back, everyone’s good spirits remained intact.

Thursday – Delicious Workshops and Creative Activities

The fourth day of camp brought new educational and creative challenges. During language activities, the children continued developing their Polish language skills and reinforcing spelling rules through various games and exercises.

Participants then took part in cooking workshops, which turned out to be one of the week’s biggest attractions. The children prepared waffles themselves, learning cooperation, responsibility and organisational skills along the way. Tasting their own creations brought everyone great joy.

Later in the day, participants developed their manual skills during paper craft workshops, creating imaginative artworks while also enjoying outdoor activities in the beautiful weather.

Friday – The Grand Finale

The final day of camp was a special conclusion to a week full of activities, learning and shared experiences. To celebrate the end of the programme, the participants organised their own pajama party.

The children planned activities, prepared games for the group, managed the budget for refreshments and decorated the room themselves. They demonstrated impressive creativity, responsibility and teamwork throughout the process.

It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the week’s achievements, reflect on the experiences we had shared and create lasting memories together.

Summary

This first edition of “Polish Full Steam Ahead” demonstrated that learning Polish can be a fascinating adventure and that spending time together helps build friendships, develop passions and discover new interests.

Over the course of the week, children participated in language classes, scientific experiments, arts and crafts workshops, cooking activities, sports and numerous team-building games. We are especially pleased that throughout the camp the children eagerly communicated in Polish, formed new friendships and enthusiastically participated in every activity.

We would like to thank all participants for their energy, enthusiasm and smiles. Our sincere thanks also go to the volunteers, parents and partners who supported the implementation of this project.

We look forward to seeing you at future events organised by the Association of Poles in Northern Finland!