Where? Country and environment

In earlier talks about the conference there has been a very flexible attitude about where we'll meet. A decision will have to be made soon though.

First, Finland or Sweden? I guess a trip abroad is always more tempting. Anna, the president of Protu from Finland has suggested that the lesser amount of people would travel as it would be less burdensome for the environment. Claes, the CEO of the foundation from Sweden has suggested that the event would this year take place in Finland. Next year we could meet in Sweden on Ekskäret, the island of the foundation when the construction is ready.

There have also been suggestions to meet half-way on the Åland Islands. This idea is nice and neutral but getting there might be burdensome. The ferries from Helsinki and Stockholm respectively stop in Mariehamn around 4am which for me at least means a tiresome following day due to interruption in a good night's sleep. Also, my preliminary investigation of campsites has found no campsites but only holiday villages.

The most amusing suggestion so far has been to have the event onboard a ferry between the two countries. This raises questions as well: How would we deal with the age limits the shipping companies impose on weekends? Would one delegation have to take two cruises?

Secondly, city or countryside? In city we have a wider range of extra activities available but lack the camp atmosphere. In Helsinki we could get a youth centre for free as the venue. Sauna is also available for rent in Helsinki, often at a hefty price though. A city conference would also better allow for partial participation in case of people in the hosting city have other activities or duties during the weekend.

In the countryside there are many nice campsites which Protu often gets for a subsidized price. Sauna-wise I would suggest Märkiö as the sauna is heated by wood and is right at the lake. Pictures and information in Finnish available at: http://www.nurmijarvi.fi/nuoret/fi_FI/markionleirikeskus/
The downside of Märkiö however, as with many other campsites, is the lack of public transportation. I also have no idea whether Märkiö is available. Metsäpirtti or Kesärinne would have better public transportation but electric saunas. Räyskälä and Woiman Talo are further away, the former has a wooden sauna and the latter an "intelligent" electric sauna. You may wonder why I'm so obsessed with the sauna. It's because it's an important part of Finnish culture and because the Swedes have wished for a sauna I want to make that experience as real as possible.

What do you think?