Between glaciers & lava (2:3)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity again to contribute to this special art and culture project in the western part of Iceland. The aim of the project this year is to support the making of an outdoor art exhibition, a geo-park, an art-residence and a chapel for all types of religions.

Our hosts are building a Geo-park and SEEDS volunteers will help with marking and registering locations and other related tasks. If time and weather allows, the group will also help building a chapel which is aimed to be for all religions and beliefs.

Volunteers will help with various outdoors tasks such as building a stone wall in a garden with sculptures and outdoor artwork. The participants will be supervised by a professional stonewall maker and a nature scientist. Furthermore the group will build a walking path from the sculpture garden towards a small canyon where some outdoor artwork can be found and will also help with setting up and moving the artwork, take down old fences and generally beautifying the area and surroundings.

The working plan will depend on the needs of our local host and weather conditions. Volunteers need motivation to work mainly outdoors on physical demanding jobs, under changeable weather conditions. Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, so be prepared for all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm/winter clothing since the work will take place outdoors and it can get cold.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a local house; sleeping in shared rooms on mattresses in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers receive food supplies and are mostly in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food or drinks  from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The project takes place in the western part of Iceland, in a unique natural pearl with breath taking landscape, between glaciers and lava fields. The place is like an oasis in the desert, as the weather is often better than in the surroundings.

Among the natural wonders nearby are the Hraunfossar waterfalls; where water comes out from a lava field over a length of 1 km. Additionally, the Hallmundarhraun lava field is among the best known and deepest in Iceland. Langjökull (Long Glacier), the second largest glacier in Iceland, it is 950 km2 and its highest point is 1355 m above sea level. Langjökull is surrounded by other small glaciers, Eiríksjökull, Þórisjökull, Hrútafell and the disappearing glacier Ok. Dense forests, lava, water springs and torrential glacier rivers, mixed with a diverse fauna and flora makes this area a delightful place to stay.

The surroundings nearby are ideal for hikers as walking paths and trails spread in all directions. According to some of the oldest Icelandic sagas, this area is said to be inhabited since the very early settlement of the island.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 350 (Euros). This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic krónas and it includes the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp location and back (on the first and last day of the camp) .

Departure time will be at 13:00 (1:00 pm) in the afternoon of July 2 from the meeting point in Reykjavik.

Our hosts will organise some free time activities in the area. Other excursions (eg. Golden circle or  Snæfellsnes Peninsula) can be organised at discount fares for SEEDS volunteers.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold or rainy and hats and gloves might be necessary.

Candidates applying for this project should have a motivation for working outdoors and do physical work.