Skriðdalur in the East of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: We will be working in the Skriðdalur valley in the East of Iceland, based in a local farm. Our tasks in this project will mainly be focused on improving the environment around the valley and in the whole area; removing old fences from the farms, planting trees in the valley and on the surrounding hills. We might also be helping to clean the area.

Furthermore we will be involved in several activities and works related to the farm life; mainly helping during the lambing season, as in this time new lambs are born/come to the world. This work will be coordinated in cooperation with other farms in the valley.

The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts, the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley and of course on the weather conditions. We will help to preserve the local environment and get practical experience on the farm life and farm work. Last but not least we will explore the surrounding of the location and enjoy free time activities arranged in cooperation with the local host.

ACCOMMODATION: We will be lodged in a house, in a shared room(s), sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Bringing a warm sleeping bag is needed.

Within the facilities volunteers will have a kitchen to cater themselves. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen available, volunteers will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Skriðdalur is a long and deep valley in the east of Iceland, a place rich in legends and natural beauty. It is located southern from the biggest town in the East of Iceland, Egilsstaðir (population 2,300), about 650 km from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík.

Near the north end of the valley, is the home of the fabled Lagarfljót Serpent which is believed to be Iceland’s equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster. There are few natural forests that survived the Icelandic settlement close by. In the middle of it all is where the district assemblies were held in century’s past- Thingmúli, the Meeting Mountain.

The farm is located in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað, in eastern Iceland with a total population of 3.700 and at 8.884 km², it is the largest municipality (in area) in the country.

Fljótsdalshérað is Iceland's easternmost populous municipality. The massive land area of this municipality stretches from Biskupsháls in the west and Héraðsflói bay in the north to the mountain ranges surrounding the central eastern fjords in the east and to Vatnajökull and Öxi in the south.

The wild reindeers of Iceland are found in Fljótsdalshérað, they are about ten thousand and also the biggest forest in Iceland, Hallormstaðarskógur is located within the district.

The East Fjords is a region of a special landscape, dominated by long, narrow fjords and steep mountains. This is one of the oldest regions of Iceland shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airports: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF); nearest domestic airport (EGS). Nearest bus stop in Egilsstaðir. The docking port for the Norröna ferry connecting Iceland with the Faroe Islands, Denmark and Europe is located in the town of Seyðisfjörður, 30 Km from Egilsstaðir.

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps 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.

SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 100,- (Euros). Excursions, hikes and other free time activities will be arranged by the local contacts and SEEDS.

AGE: 18+