East House – Worldwide Friends

Project Location:

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 harbours depict postcard-like fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful views.

“Fjarðabyggð” is an association of villages in the Eastern fjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður, Breiðdalsvík, Vopnafjordur and Stöðvarfjörður, all tiny fishing villages with steep mountains towering just behind the houses. In this area you will see some of the features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with a rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife and countless breathtaking hiking paths. You will explore the area during your stay in the east.

Work

This camp has a variety of activities, which will depend on the season and weather conditions; Beach Cleaning, Planting Trees, Removing Lupines, Renovation, Upcycling.

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. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges. Working hours are on average 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Our main focus during the project will be on Global Warming and how to prevent it. Throughout a series of different workshops, the goal is to improve the environmental education and consciousness of the projects’ participants. Take part in this promising project and spring into action against climate change!
This work camp is a way to enjoy an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while they are exploring creativity, environmental issues, and intercultural learning.

Leisure Time

The area in the east is great for hiking, so please bring your hiking shoes. There is a free entrance to the local swimming pool from the middle of June until the middle of September.

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 concentrate on intercultural learning and exchange. Every evening, volunteers from different countries will be in charge of presenting 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.

Accomodation and Food

Volunteers will be sharing dormitories in the house of Worldwide Friends in Stöðvarfjörður. The house is approximately 1000 m² and has 6 quadruple rooms, two fully equipped kitchens, several bathrooms, common areas, and workshop rooms.
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. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorite recipes from home!

Additional Information

Worldwide Friends is organizing a minibus trip from Reykjavik to Stodvarfjordur and back again which is almost 1,400 km in total and takes 2 full days (the first day of the camp and the last one).
The journey to the east is about 9 hours, plus stops. You will travel along the Ring Road, which is a national road in Iceland that circles the entire country. If weather permitting, the minibus will take the north route and come back on the south route.
This trip includes several stops where you will discover unique Icelandic sights, such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava fields, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents or even icebergs.