Crawling Valley & Flying testicles!

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers in the projects will have the unique opportunity to work in two different locations in the East of the country, in the highlands at Skriðdalur valley (Crawling valley) and in Neskaupstaður one of the largest towns in the Eastern fjords of Iceland.

In the Skriðdalur valley our tasks 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.

The working plan will be 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.

During the second part of the camp, SEEDS Volunteers will work in the annual Icelandic metal festival: Eistnaflug (e. Flying testicles), held in Neskaupsstaður in the eastern fjords of Iceland.

Volunteers will be working on different tasks around the Metal musical festival Eistnaflug; preparing the area, working on the festival and cleaning the area afterwards. The main task for the volunteers will be acting as the security in the area of the festival, both during the concerts and in the camping area. The festival itself is held for three days, but a day before and two days after the festival volunteers will be in the area to manage logistics of the festival.

ACCOMMODATION: During the work in Skriðdalur, we will be lodged in a farm-house, in a shared room(s), sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Bring your own warm sleeping bag. 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.

During the festival we will stay in tents in the camping site of the festival. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tents if they have them available; bringing a sleeping bag is needed. Volunteers will receive food ingredients and be in charge of the cooking activities.

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 (pop. 2,300), about 650 km from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík. More info can be found here.

The Eistnaflug is a metal concert festival held annually for the last five years in the Eastern fjords and it has become to be a celebration for musicians from Iceland and abroad. In 2009 there were over 90 bands playing, the music spans from easy rock to heavy metal. The festival has been a peaceful one without any hazards, their motto is: Rock festival held in brotherhood and friendship.

Eistnaflug is held in a town called Neskaupsstaður in the municipality of Fjarðabyggð boasting the largest population of the towns in the east fjords. As most coastal communities, they depend on fisheries and it is a busy fishing port year-round. Most people are employed in the fishing industry.

In the eastern fjords visitors enjoy remarkable mountain scenery with mountains in almost every direction, majestic peaks, mysterious ravines and deep valleys. It is said that a visit is a mountain therapy because, some believe that they are good for body and soul, can be inspiring and give unexplained energy. Hikers will find challenges that suite them and enjoy the wonderful scenery and the mountains are the oldest part of Iceland. The geology is unique and very interesting to explore. Most of them are formed by layers of lava that have piled up through the millenniums.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík (Reykjavík), KEF. SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back again, 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 150,- (Euros). Remote places located in natural areas of extreme beauty. Volunteers will have access to concerts when they are not working and the area has great hiking possibilities.

AGE: 20+