Outdoor Work Beneath The Glacier

WORK/PROJECT: Our host for this project is a farmer’s family on the south shore of Iceland close to the town of Vík, the farmers cultivate carrots and keep cows. This is the seventh year that SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to get to know and explore this traditional Icelandic farm.

There will be various environmental tasks, such as tree-planting and tree-cutting helping with the upkeep and the restoration of some farm buildings, helping cutting the grass used to feed the animals during the long winter months and assisting with other farm related work. We may also help repair environmental damages after animals. Other possible tasks include turfing grass; cleaning tasks, such as clearing fields of rocks, fences and beautifying the area, like hand-picking garbage or collecting trash that has been blown by the wind.

Those interested in farm activities, can help out taking care of the animals or carrots cultivation. Participants are invited to the stalls, and can assist in milking the cows if interested or just tending to them in general.

The work can be demanding and requires a good physical condition but  no previous experience is necessary. The working day normally runs from 09:00 - 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee; however, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the unforeseeable weather in Iceland. As it is outdoors work, volunteers shall be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned.

Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes as the tasks take place outside and it can be cold or rainy. Bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking shoes/boots, a good sleeping bag and gloves.  Volunteers might be asked to do other related tasks and some flexibility is required depending on the advance of the different tasks, weather conditions and current needs.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in an equipped flat, in a sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The farm is located in the South of Iceland, in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and glaciers to the north and near the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The closest town is Vík. The inhabitants here live in constant threat of volcanic eruptions and the area was covered by ashes during the recent eruptions in Eyjafjallajökull 2010 and Vatnajökull (Grimsvötn) in 2011.

Vík is Iceland's southernmost village.  Mýrdalur is bordered by the glacial river Jökulsá to the west and the river Blautakvísl to the east. Its northern border is the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which caps the volcanic Mt. Katla, while its southern limits are the black sand beach and the rolling Atlantic waves.

The district lives mainly by agriculture. Although this community of 600 inhabitants faces the open Atlantic, Vík is the only seaside settlement in Iceland left without a harbour due to natural circumstances.  Among the many attractive aspects of Vík, are the trips to the South shore and to Mýrdalsjökull glacier.

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).

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps & back. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows participants to meet & have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites. Departure will be at 10:00 am , August 1.  We return to Reykjavík in the afternoon of August 15.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Meeting point will be at 10:00 am on August 1, at SEEDS office in Reykjavík. The participation fee does not include the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back but we estimate the costs about EUR 45 each way, stopping at stunning waterfalls and black sand beaches on the way.

Our host will organise free time activities, depending on the weather. Volunteers have to bring good working shoes & clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and rainy, hats and gloves might be necessary.