SEEDS 002. Environment & Photography - January

PROJECT: During this camp, participants can share their love for (and learn more about) global & local environmental issues, as well as photography. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, waste management, animal protection and sustainability, and you also love taking photographs, making videos or want to develop your photography skills, then this project is for you!

While developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental and sustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits facilitated by SEEDS. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers & travellers!

You will visit local projects on environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guided visits. Some examples include outdoor cleanup tasks, a geothermal power plant, a local fauna and/or flora  exhibition or an outdoor Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on conditions such as weather, as well as availability or restrictions of our partner organisations.

You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice, walking around and exploring the city. At the end of the camp, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition on SEEDS' social media. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.

SEEDS’ programme combines learning, sharing, hands-on activities, getting to know Iceland, its culture, having fun, exploring the city and its attractions, as stunning natural attractions in possible excursions. Participants should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances during activities and sightseeing. 

Note this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller volunteer work part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.

In this project SEEDS will organise a night photography (Northern Lights) workshop in the city or in the vicinity of Reykjavík. This will take place during late evening and possibly into the night. Northern lights are a natural phenomenon depending on solar activity and meteorological conditions; we cannot guarantee you will see northern lights, but the night photography workshop will be organised anyway.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS participants will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers, and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please note the food SEEDS provides will be vegetarian. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food, drinks, recipes, music, games or movies from your country for the intercultural evening. Please be aware some items or ingredients may be expensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country. 

LOCATION: Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; intermediate conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 400 (Euros). The fee can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival. It includes transportation from the meeting point to the camp (on the first day) and the night photography workshop. 

The Meeting time will be at 18:00 (6:00 pm) on January 16 at SEEDS’ office in Reykjavík. Participants that cannot arrive on time (later or delayed flights) will be sent information on how to reach the camp on their own.

Some excursions (e.g. to the Golden Circle, Hot River hike and/or South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares if there is free time after the camp workshops/sessions. 

It may be very cold and/or rainy, so we recommend bringing warm and waterproof clothes (underlayers, overcoats, scarves, gloves and hats) and good walking shoes, as some of the activities take place outdoors.