Projects increasing the movement of children and young people
The city of Hamina received state grants from the Ministry of Education and Culture last spring to increase the physical activity of children and young people. The projects are now halfway through and it is time to review what has happened in the projects.
HAMINA HOBBY MODEL PROJECT
🎲 Clubs 2025-2026: There are currently 17 clubs in the Hamina hobby model for 1st-9th graders, one of which operates remotely in collaboration with the Kotka hobby model. In addition, clubs are organized in schools, youth centers, swimming pools and ice rinks. More registrations have been received for the clubs throughout the season and there is still space in several clubs.
🏋️Sports trials: During this project period, clubs in the Finnish Hobby Model have been able to organize sports trials for middle school students. During the autumn term, the program included a supervised fitness circuit in collaboration with Power Gym and a beginner's course in gym training at the sports hall. More sports trials are planned for spring 2026.
✍️ Hobby survey and project application for the 2026-2027 season: In January, we organized a hobby survey for all Hamina schools for 1st-8th graders and preschools. The hobby survey received a good response rate from almost all schools. The hobby survey will be utilized for the upcoming project call for the 2026-2027 season.
🏒 Clear route and activity day: A clear route and a hobby day will be organized on Wednesday, May 13.5th for all Hamina 5th-7th graders in Bastion. During the day, sixth graders will go through the Clear Route substance abuse awareness event and will be able to tour the hobby day presentation points. Fifth and seventh graders will only participate in the hobby day, where various actors and clubs will present their hobby activities.
✉️ Further information: Sari Varonen, sari.varonan@hamina.fi / tel. 050 574 4334
💻 Hamina's hobby model
MOBILE SCHOOL PROJECT
🤸 #BeActive Week: In September, schools celebrated #BeActive week, during which they increased physical activity through ready-made themes and tips. The week included, among other things, breaks between lessons, outdoor learning, and a break-time disco.
🛝 Välkkäri trainings: During the fall semester, Välkkäri trainings were organized at five different schools. The trainings resulted in a total of about 80 Välkkäri, or students, who acted as playmates and movers during recess, providing the opportunity for guided and participatory, low-threshold movement.
(I.e. Mobile School Tip of the Month: At the beginning of the spring semester, the distribution of the Moving School tips of the month to schools has been launched. The tips contain easy and quick ideas for increasing exercise during the school day. An Instagram version of the tip of the month will also be published on the Moving Hamina account.
⛷️ iWall exercise play walls: The Mobile School project has applied for Google Community Support to purchase interactive iWall physical game walls for Hamina comprehensive schools. The application has been approved, and the physical game walls will be installed during February to support more active school days.
💡 Staff training: The project will train staff on themes of supporting a physical lifestyle as part of the school day. In addition, a Move! tip bank training was organised in February for those working in physical education. The Moving School network of responsible teachers supporting the project will participate in the national Moving Through Life seminar in April.
✉️ Further information: Ella Plosila, ella.plosila@koulut.hamina.fi / tel. 040 6857 439
PATH TO SOCIAL ACTIVITIES PROJECT
???? Autumn holiday hobby week: During the autumn break, numerous sports trials were organized for primary school children and events for the whole family. The number of exercise sessions was well over 200.
🤝 Club cooperation and hobby bulletin: In cooperation with the club, sports trials have been organized and a hobby bulletin has been published about the groups for spring 2026. The bulletin can be found in Wilma and on the city's website.
📝 Guardians' wishes for children and young people's hobbies: A survey of guardians conducted in late 2025 highlighted the need for low-threshold activities. The aim is to support less competitive activities and make it easier for young people to get into new sports.
???? Coming in spring 2026: During spring 2026, sports trials will be organized for children who participate in Hamina's hobby model clubs, the possibility of establishing low-threshold hobby groups in cooperation with local clubs will be investigated, and events and sports trials will be organized to introduce hobby opportunities in the local area for children and young people of different ages.
✉️ Further information: Hanna-Kaisa Häsä, hanna-kaisa.hasa@hamina.fi / tel. 040 6700 609
💻 Exercise path for club activities