The youth gaming camp organized by the InnoGS project has started
and gained national visibility on Finnish television!
The autumn holidays have begun in Finland, and many young people are looking for meaningful activities during their time off. To meet this need, the InnoGS project organized a three-day gaming camp for ten young participants in Kuopio, North Savo. By combining the strengths of Savonia University of Applied Sciences, EXEN esports (SME), the City of Kuopio’s youth services, Diginatiivit (NGO), and the GameON project (ESF+), the camp brought together facilities, equipment, and expertise that enabled participants to explore responsible gaming, learn about well-being, and make new friends.
Playing digital games is a hobby that connects many young people, and it can be utilised to engage them in community activities and skill development in ways that resonate with them. It also provides opportunities to inspire young people to engage in developing rural areas, using the skills and perspectives they have learned through playing games.
The gaming camp is held during the local autumn holiday week, 13–15 October 2025, and has attracted attention from Finland’s national broadcaster Yle. Young participants and EXEN esports coach Tuomas Rauhansalo were interviewed live for five minutes on Yle’s morning show Ylen Aamu, discussing the camp as well as gaming as a hobby and as an e-sport profession. The Finnish-language interview recording can be viewed on Yle Areena. A broader story about the camp’s goals will also be featured in Yle’s regional and online news.
If you’d like to hear how the camp went, what the participants thought of it, and what was learned, keep an eye on the news section of the InnoGS project website and our LinkedIn channel.
