OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Devil's Automobile, about 1 h

Hjalmar Linder is perhaps Svartå Manor's most colourful historical personality. In his time, he was Finland's richest man and he loved cars. In 1902, he imported Finland's second car, a French Mors with a top speed of 25 km/hour. As the car and its driver moved without horses, it was christened "The Devil" by locals. Each team has to create their own car using the material provided. When the cars are complete, an amusing competition between the teams is arranged. How well can the driver and each team cooperate? Does the car work?

Guided Canoeing on Mustio River or Lake Lohja

Spend a refreshing day outdoors paddling, or bring your meeting day to an enjoyable conclusion with a relaxing canoe trip. Programmes are planned according to each group's skills and abilities. Before each trip begins, guidance is given regarding canoeing technique and safety issues.

Mustio River by canoe or kayak, about 2 h:
We paddle along the beautiful Mustio River, past the ruins of the ancient earthworks at Junkarsborg and then across Lake Päsarträsket to Mengels beach. This trip involves about 2 h paddling.
Taxi back to Svartå Manor at additional price.

Lake Lohja by kayak, about 2 h:
Paddle along the beautiful Lake Bruksträsket to Lake Lohja. Along the way we can observe the nature reserve near Blåsippsberget. Then canoe across Lake Lohja, in the heart of Finland's rich lake landscape.

Guided Stand Up Paddling, 1-1,5 h

Stand Up Paddling is easy to learn and an amazing full-body workout. SUP means paddling standing on a surfboard, experiencing the surrounding nature from a new perspective.
Learn the Stand Up Paddling technique and relating safesty issues while enjoying the beautiful sea landscapes.

Manor Games, about 2 h

We are living the manor life in bygone days playing enjoyable team games. We play traditional skittles and pétanque, throw darts, test our skills in hosepipe throwing, recycle human letters and nail with the 'wrong' hand.

Summer Games at Svartå, about 2 h

Exciting and fun-filled team events - ideal for a summer's day!

• Lawn Floorball
  Summer version of the well-known indoor team game played outside on grass without goalkeepers. Skills are not the decisive factor in this game - you need determination and a good team spirit.
• The Harry Potter Game
  Instead of flying broomsticks we 'fly' on flexible canes during this game. Your tactics have to be honed so that the ball can be shot through the hoop-shaped goal or the 'golden snitch' is captured.
• Ball Golf
  Each member of your team throws their own ball towards a predefined target, then makes the next throw from the place where their ball hit the ground or some other object. The team whose members take the smallest number of throws to reach their targets is the winner.
  
  

Team Rafting, about 1,5 h

The ability of team members to cooperate successfully is tested as they construct a raft. Everyone is involved in designing and building their team's vessel using the materials provided, and then it has to be steered along a marked course. Each team selects its own "oarsman" and the winning team is the one whose raft is the first to cross the finish line.

The Biggest Loser, about 2 h

As in the well-known television series, players in this game attempt to lose as much weight as possible. Members of each team are first given extra weight to carry, and then have to get rid of as much as they can by completing tasks and solving puzzles. These typically involve Svartå's secret language, choreography, balancing, endurance, answering questions connected with health and exercise, sporting performance and problem solving. When all the tasks have been completed, each team's members are weighed and the winning team is rewarded with resounding applause or magnificent prizes.

Frisbee Golf, about 1,5 h

Your objective is to complete the course using as few throws as possible. The winner is the person who takes the smallest number of shots. Your journey starts from the tee and ends at a basket which is the goal. Can also be played as a team game.

Guided Cycling Trip, 2 h

Explore Svartå and its marvellous nature on one of our hybrid bicycles. Your trip leader has excellent local knowledge and provides interesting historical information about each location you visit. These trips therefore offer exercise and a cultural dividend. One example of a nature trip is a visit to Härkävuori, where you can enjoy your picnic lunch in a lean-to. A countryside trip can be headed to the idyllic Svartå village. We also rent mountain bikes for groups of up to ten people.

Tricks and Gimmicks, about 2 h

Tasks that require brainwork, working together and a sense of humour.
Tricks and Gimmicks can be organised as a competition or as teamwork. The idea is to solve the tasks given by the instructor using each team's collective talents. Typical task include assembling a design from a set of blocks, working out how to undo a difficult knot and building a structure out of logs. The instructor provides hints when necessary.

Skills of the Svartå Wilderness, about 1,5-2 h

Skills of the Svartå Wilderness is a fun and enjoyable competition that test the wilderness skills of anyone in normal physical condition and people interested in such things. The programme includes making fire and making your own tea, identification of plants, berries and mushrooms, knots to use in life-saving situations, medicines from nature and measuring the height of trees. Useful skills for everyday life!

Yard Games, about 1-2 h

Plenty of fun playing traditional yard games together:
• Mölkky – a throwing game from Päijät-Häme in southern Finland, suitable for all ages whatever your condition. Success requires only simple equipment and the right amount of skill and luck.
• Kyykkä (Finnish skittles) - a centuries-old game of Karelian origin.
• Kubb – an old game from Gotland, invented in times when every yard had a pile of firewood. Just choose a suitable number of the right-sized logs, and you'll be playing Kubb.
• Pétanque - a French game played with metal balls. Each player tries to throw their balls as close as they can to a small wooden target ball.

Amazing Race, 2 h

Your group is divided into teams and each team is given a map. With the help of this and other clues, the first cross on the map is located together with instructions for a task that team members must complete together. Once this has been done successfully, new clues are provided which lead to the next cross and a new task. By solving the clues, completing tasks and using their orienteering and tactical skills, teams make their way to the finish line.

Archery, about 1-2 h

Aim at the target as carefully as you can, concentrate on your breathing and make sure that the nock of the arrow is close to your ear. Think positively and learn to conquer your nerves. Archery is a fascinating and relaxing way to spend time outdoors. It's a technical sport in which even first-timers can experience the thrill of success. We use traditional bows without accessories (no sights or stabilisers) and shoot at numbered targets. Organised with a focus on enjoyment, archery sessions are suitable for everyone, regardless of age or gender!

Svartå Olympics, about 2 h

• Tower Construction
• Throwing Blind
The thrower is blindfolded and other members of the group hold targets of different sizes and styles. By working together, the thrower and the target holders try to ensure that some throws reach the targets.
• Block Puzzle
Wooden pieces of different size and appearance have to be assembled into a large "block".
• Memory Game
Remembering as many different types of object as possible.
• Precision Throwing
Coloured bean bags are thrown at different sizes of target. Points are awarded according to target size, with the largest scores being awarded for the smallest targets.
• Charades
Groups or individuals act in turn while others try to guess what they are portraying.
• Body Parts
The names of different parts of the body are written on small pieces of paper. On their turn, each participant takes one and places it in a manner that traps the paper between that part of their body and the same part of another team member's body. The group that can hold the largest number of paper pieces is the winner.

ACTIVITIES FOR OUTDOORS OR INDOORS

Amusing Team Games, about 1-1,5h

Team games are designed so that everyone has fun together and no-one is forced to embarrass themselves in front of others. Tasks require every ounce of humour you have, some ingenuity and a little agility, but can be solved by people of all ages and sizes. The games are "Recycling human letters", "Theme pantomime", "Facts in the right order", "Magnetic body parts" and "Creating a satellite connection".

Values and visions in images, 1,5-2 hours

Your group is divided into teams. Each team has the task of creating a photographic exhibition that communicates your company's values and visions. Works created by team members are immortalised using a digital camera. All photographic subject matter has to be designed and assembled using objects specified by the director and/or other props that suit the theme. Finally, each team presents its images to other members of the group.

Battling artists, about 2 hours

Spend a moment with famous artists and let your creativity shine! Each group chooses an artist - this defines the artistic style in which group members will create new works of art. Themes are either agreed in advance or a free choice. Paintings are judged at an art exhibition and team members also have the opportunity to raise the value of their works in the secret casino where the game is played.

Fashion Creation, about 1-1.5 hour

Teams are given craft equipment and work on their own individual creations. The inspiration or theme is values that the team considers to be important - these have to be agreed in advance. The artistic results are presented to the other teams either once they have been completed or as part of an evening fashion show. Each group chooses one to 'model' what they have produced and another to act as the presenter who describes the different phases of the work and which important values it shows.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Murder Mystery in the Manor, (includes guided tour), about 2 hours

Murder Mystery has its roots in the history of Svartå Manor - working as a team, our task is to discover the identity of both the victim and the cold-blooded murderer. Clues are hidden in different rooms of the manor and our guide provides additional hints when necessary.
For the best atmosphere, Murder Mystery should be organised in the evening, when it is dark outside.

Kymppitonni, about 1-1.5 hour

The first Kymppitonni was broadcasted on television more than 25 years ago, hosted by Riitta Väisänen. We now play it as a team game, inventing clever clues to guess words. The team with the most points wins.

Bingo, about 1 hour

Invented in Italy in the 1530s, Bingo is a game of luck. Each player has their own card featuring a set of numbers arranged in a grid. The winner is the first player to tick off a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line of numbers and shout "Bingo!"
Prizes can be agreed in advance.

For more information about Svartå Manor: www.svartaslott.fi