Forest & Herring adventure

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working and living in Iceland’s most northerly town, Siglufjörður, sometimes also called the herring capital, even the herring capital of the world in the 1900s. We will be working on different tasks for the two weeks in the municipality, so we will be able to explore and being involved in both – the nature of the surroundings and Icelandic society.

Most of the work will be focused on environmental issues in the community, mainly in forestry. The most northerly planted woods in Iceland (and the farthest north on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge) are found in Siglufjörður!

The second week will be focused on the town biggest summer celebration; the Herring Adventure. The town grew up around the herring industry that was in much bloom in the 1940s and 1950s.

In the festival part of the inhabitants dresses up and stages the working procedures on the herring pickling platforms. We will be helping locals in the community to prepare the town for this big and fun festival, when the town is filled with people visiting and participating in the festivities. We will also be helping in execution of the festival in various different tasks and during our free time we will have the chance to participate in the events. The last day will be focused on cleaning up and helping getting the town “back into shape after the party”.

During the festival days we might be working on the weekend but we will receive extra free days during the normal week working days.

ACCOMMODATION: We will stay at a local house, bringing an sleeping bag is needed. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: Siglufjördur is the northernmost town in Iceland, located at the foot of towering mountains on the shore of a small fjord with the same name. The town is in the municipality of Fjallabyggð, there are two town communities, Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður, which are 62 km apart.

Siglufjördur was made by two of the major creators which formed Iceland: volcanoes and glaciers. The bedrock of the Siglufjördur was created by lava flows millions of years ago; this area is one of the oldest in the country.

According to some, Siglufjördur (population 1400), is the Iceland's loveliest town. It enjoys a dramatic setting beside a small fjord at the northern tip of Tröllaskagi. The historic architecture, the colourful rooftops of upper town, the harbour and the inspiring backdrop are all delightful, and may call to mind an idyllic fishing village. There are numerous hiking trails around Siglufjörður providing great opportunity for outdoor lovers.

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

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-rising approach, promoting outdoors, sports activities and healthy lifestyles. Apart from the leader, we will have an environmental messenger, a person dedicated to organising and developing fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airports: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF) and Akureyri (AEY). 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 us 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). Volunteers will have free access to Siglufjörður’s swimming pool. SEEDS and our local hosts will try to organise some hikes/trips to the surrounding areas in the fjord.

AGE: 16+