What is HÄLY 2026?

You are welcome to get to know the HÄLY 2026 camp, achieved largely by volunteer staff and partners! It is a week-long event where children and youths can get trained in suitable age and skill groups. The event mascot is Häly the Cat, a character from the Western Finland Rescue Services Federation safety communications department.

Camp values include cooperation and sharing responsibility, openness and communication, respect and safety, flexibility and wellness, and sustainable development and youth inclusion.

Youth firefighters are able to act even in tight spots – after all, they have been practicing exactly for that. Volunteer firefighting is a diverse and social activity for children and youths aged 7 to 17. It brings together a good bunch of people to practice important skills, such as first-aid extinguishing, medical first aid, taking responsibility, and working in a team. Anyone interested can take part. There are already more than 9,000 youth firefighters in Finland, and some of them will be meeting for the first time at the international HÄLY 2026 camp!

The roots of HÄLY 2026 go back to 1956, when all fire brigade boys in Finland were invited for the first time to the 10th Turku and Pori province fire brigade boys’ camp in Tyrvää. Since then, the event has expanded and grown greatly. Today, international camps are arranged every four years, and rescue services federations are responsible for regional camps in the years between. HÄLY 2026 is the 19th international camp ever organized.

Accountability includes many things – even seemingly small ones that end up being significant. Accountability at HÄLY 2026 consists of carefully considered and justified solutions, proper and respectful behaviour, and a communal and accepting atmosphere. Accountability seeks to make the camp:

• Sustainable
• Equitable
• Fair
• Equal
• Available
• Inclusive
• A better place for youths, adults, the environment, and the nearby area.

Ask more about accountability:

Juuso Virta
Accountability Sector Director
+358 44 099 4549
juuso.virta@haly2026.fi

Noora Nieminen
Accountability Sector Deputy Director
+358 40 845 9673
noora.nieminen@haly2026.fi

Our goal is to build the camp in a way that uses as few natural resources as possible. We minimise waste, energy use, and carbon dioxide emissions. If possible, we will always choose the responsible option – even if it is more expensive. We consider carbon footprint minimisation, available and accessible environment, purposeful solutions, and environmental impacts in the building of the camp and in all operations.

We stand by our decisions and make sure they are in line with our values. Our decision-making is open, and we offer equal opportunities for influence. All fire brigade members can come to camp regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or political views. This is how we ensure a good and fair camp experience for all.

The international camp is planned mainly for young persons. This is why inclusion underlies all camp activities. Fairness, equality, and availability are important values for us. All campers commit to the agreed procedures, models, and instructions. Because the camp is international, communication is clear and multi-lingual. The competences and language skills of international campers will be made use of in providing first aid, interpretation services, and translations.