Island of Viðey (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work on the historical island of Viðey for the 12th year in a row with our host, the city of Reykjavík.

Viðey is a popular destination during the summer among Icelandic as well as foreign visitors. Volunteers will help prepare the  island for the autumn/winter season. Volunteers will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area, especially along the coastline. Volunteers will carry out some other gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths.

Depending on the advance of the project, volunteers may have other possible tasks such as checking up and repairing garden furniture.

The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable and in September it can get windy and rainy. Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure of bringing warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors. Volunteers should have motivation to work outside and work in all different kinds of weather.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Viðey Island, in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The house has a well equipped kitchen. Volunteers will receive food ingredients and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food and/or drinks from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: Viðey or “Wood Island” is the largest (1,7 km²) island in the Kollafjorður Bay, just outside Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here.  Viðey was inhabited from soon after the settlement of Iceland already in the 10th century and at the beginning of the 20th century around 100 people lived there. Today the island is uninhabited. There is a regular boat connection between the island and the harbour of Reykjavík. The island is only a few hundred metres away from the city and the trip takes just about 10 minutes. This makes Viðey so special; it is a peaceful place, very close to the busy city life of the capital.

There are hiking and cycling paths around the island and there is no motor traffic allowed. It also inhabits intriguing sculptural artwork, amongst them all nine pairs of basalt pillars that comprise Richard Serra’s work Áfangar and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine peace” column, a tower of light, which is supported by the widow of John Lennon.  

Other places of interest on Viðey are related to archaeological research, the village. At the eastern end of the island is the site of an abandoned fishing village and Viðeyjarnaust, at the southwest of the island, it is a memorial to the twenty men who lost their lives when the cutter Ingvar sank off Viðey in 1906. Dramatic formations of columnar basalt may be seen on the shore.

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).

Meeting time will be at 14:00 (2:00 pm) on August 28 at SEEDS Office.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 260 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in Euros or Icelandic krónas and it includes the transportation from the meeting point to the camp location (on the first and last day of the camp), the Golden Circle excursion and a whale watching trip worth around EUR 200 with the regular tour operators. SEEDS volunteers will have free rides in the boat/ferry to the city of Reykjavík during their free time. Other excursions (South Shore, Hot River hike, Snaefellsnes or Reykjanes Peninsula) can be arranged at discount fares for SEEDS participants in case there is additional free time after work or during the weekends.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes. Weather in Iceland may be cold and/or rainy, please bring warm and/or waterproof clothes (overcoats, scarves, gloves and hats) as part of the project and activities takes place outside.