EAST OF ICELAND- TAKING CARE OF NATURE

Project Location

Worldwide Friends House

“Fjarðabyggð” is an association of villages in the Eastern fjords of Iceland. It includes the town of Stöðvarfjörður, which is where the WF House is located. This village is the most southerly settlement in Fjarðabyggð. The mountain panorama seen straight out of the village is magnificent, and numerous stunning natural features can be reached by hiking. Stöðvarfjörður has an approximate population of 200 people.

Work

This camp has a variety of activities. However, our main activity is Beach Cleaning, as our goal is to clean the entire Icelandic coastline. Last year we covered almost 800 km in different parts of the island and removed about 91 tonnes of waste from the shores. We will work with the local community by 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. 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.

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

The area around the house is great for hiking. 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 and 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.

Accommodation and Food

Volunteers will be staying in the house of Worldwide Friends in Stöðvarfjörður. The house is approximately 500 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! We encourage our volunteers to try vegan and vegetarian food during their stay with us.

Terminal 

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.