Project Location:
During the six weeks, you will travel around Iceland starting in Stödvarfjörður (East) stay 2 weeks. Continue on the south route to Hveragerði (South) for the 2 weeks. Finally, join the unique Eco-village in Sólheimar.
In the East Scoured by Ice Age glaciers, the dramatic east coast boasts long, narrow fjords with steep sides and jagged peaks which contrast with inland fertile farmlands. Natural harbors depict postcard-like fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads across the region, providing beautiful views. Stödvarfjörður is where our house is located.
In the South, you will stay in Hveragerði, which is a small town that lies 45 km east of Reykjavík. This friendly little community sits on top of a highly active geothermal field, which provides heat for hundreds of greenhouses where fruit, flowers, and vegetables are produced throughout the year. The name Hveragerði means “hot springs garden”. You will be hosted at the NLFI Rehabilitation and Health Clinic, which is a part of the Natural Health Association of Iceland.
In the last location you will be hosted in Sólheimar “Home of the Sun”, which is an eco-village in Southwest Iceland, in the municipality of Grímsnes og Grafningshreppur, and is famous for its devotion to community living, artistic ethics and sustainability. Founded by Sesselja Sigmundsdottir on the 5th July 1930; aimed to create a settlement based around the values of individualism, sustainable living and caring for those with learning difficulties.
Please note that the schedule for the camps will be flexible and made according to the weather forecast and road conditions with short notice.
Work
Volunteers will do clean the coastline in different parts of the island and help to recycle the plastic which we are collecting there. Working hours are 5 - 6 hours per day five days a week. The clean-up of the coastline is the main task but we will also plant trees during the camp, if the season allows it. We work with the local community as well helping with the reforestation of the areas nearby.
Some days, when the weather conditions are not suitable, we will focus on renovation work; painting or fixing things around and inside the house. We will upcycling garbage into art! While creating bookshelves out of driftwood or designing a chair with old tires and nets, your imagination is the limit!
Our work will depend on weather conditions, which is why we must be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, as they say: if you don’t like the Icelandic weather, just wait 5 minutes it might change.
For Hveragerdi, The Natural Health Association has a horticultural and environmental department, including forestry, gardening, and greenhouses, which is where Worldwide Friends volunteers will be working in the greenhouses planting and harvesting vegetables, doing weed control, and sometimes you will also be gardening.
Sólheimar is a pioneer of practising organic farming. There is an organically certified greenhouse, forestry, and arboretum. Other environmentally-friendly projects in Sólheimar include geothermal energy and recycling. The main work in this camp will be with the forestry called Ölur and also in the greenhouses which are called Sunna.
Leisure Time
WF Iceland will organize reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights, such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam vents, or even icebergs;
We will also focus on intercultural learning and exchange. Every evening, volunteers from different countries will present their country of origin and culture in an informal way. It can be a presentation, a game, theatre – the form of introduction is up to you! Therefore, we encourage you to bring along some food, photos, or anything interesting related to your country for a fun and informative evening amongst other volunteers.
This workcamp gives you the opportunity to spend an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while exploring creativity, environmental issues, and intercultural learning.
Accomodation and Food
Volunteers will be staying in the houses of Worldwide Friends. The houses are fully equipped with several dormitories each. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags, but beds and sheets are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge.
Food is included for the duration of the work camp; however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. We provide a well-balanced and healthy variety of food products that includes a wide variety of whole grains, seasonal fruits & vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, vegetarian/vegan options.
Additional Information
Worldwide Friends is organizing the travels between the camps
Participation Fees
Participation fee is 2.250 EURO
Terminal & Meeting Point
Flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), just south of Reykjavik. The meeting point is at 08:30 am on the first day of the camp in Tjarnargata 11 which is the city hall of Reykjavik, just outside the main entrance
Language
A basic knowledge of English is required for this workcamp. Requirements: No special requirements
Program Dates
Some insight from this workcamp
