Fun in the Fjords of Trolls

WORK/PROJECT: For the first time, SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to assist with a local fair in the Westfjords of Iceland. Our host is the local municipality of Kaldrananeshrepp in the Westfjords of Iceland and it is one of the less populated municipalities of the country. The village of Drangsnes, which is the main town, has less than 80 inhabitants and the locals appreciate the support of SEEDS volunteers when the village gets busy with the visitors of the festival.

Drangsnes (as part of the Westfjords) is a fishing village where the fishing industry occupies a key position. The town’s fair theme is the sea, there will be a competition in fishing along the pier, an exhibition related to the life and work on the sea, seafood tasting and other sea related games and entertainment.

Volunteers will be involved in preparing the fair and assist during it. Volunteers will support prepare the areas, putting up signs, cleaning the town's green areas and other related tasks. During the fair, volunteers will help with numerous of tasks, guarding, picking up garbage and other related tasks. Volunteers will play a big role in making it possible for this event to take place.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay in a school house equipped with kitchen; sleeping on mattresses in sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring a sleeping bag. Volunteers will have free access to natural hot tubs close to the school.

Food ingredients will be provided and the group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning.

Please do not forget some traditional food or drinks from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The Westfjords are one of the most breath takingly beautiful places in Iceland, with its high mountains of extreme beauty and dramatic fjords cutting deep into the landscape.

The project is located in the Kaldrananeshreppur municipality in a small town called Drangsnes. The municipality is in the district of Strandasysla, it covers the easternmost part of the Westfjords.

The sagas say that the Westfjords were nearly separated from Iceland by three relentless trolls, furiously digging the Westfjords away from the mainland. One troll woman, called Kerling, competing against her conspirators realized that her task would not be accomplished and slammed her shovel down in a rage, breaking off a chunk of land, thus forming Grimsey, on Steingrimsfjordur bay. Though the trolls were unsuccessful in breaking off the Westfjords, the choppy coastline at the far end of Steingrimsfjorður bears marks of the troll woman’s handiwork. Her grim profile, transformed into stone by the first rays of sunlight and now watches over Grimsey.

Drangsnes, is a small fishing village in Kaldrananeshreppur municipality. The village got its name from a tall rock (Drangur) named Kerling which according to the story is one of the three trolls who tried to separate the Westfjords from the rest of Iceland.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

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

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

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 9:00 (9:00 am) in the morning of July 16 from the meeting point in Reykjavik.

The hosts will organise some free-time activities for the volunteers depending on the weather. Please bring warm clothes and outdoor wear as the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable.