Unique West Fjords

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will take part in environmental projects in two different beautiful locations in the Icelandic western fjords, on the north-west and the eastern part of the fjords.

The first week we will be working on one main task, simple outdoors work, collecting berries. The locals there are collecting berries to make their own home made jam and berry juice. We might get the chance to learn how to make the jam and juice. Part of the work may take place on the island of Æðey.

During the second week, the work will take place on Grímsey island. We will be building and maintaining hiking paths to prevent unnecessary damage to the sensitive nature. Further tasks will be to restore and renovate a small cabin that visitors to the island can use.

If the weather prevents the boat trip to the island, we will stay in the mainland, working on making hiking paths and tidying up the area and the coastline.

ACCOMMODATION: During the first week we will stay in a local community centre, sleeping on mattresses on the floor. In the second week we will stay on the mainland in cabins that can host 8 people; we will have access to a nice dining and social room. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in different but unique places of the Icelandic westfjords. The first week takes place in the north-eastern part of the fjords, this is almost as far as the road reaches to bring you to the north. We will be staying on the northern shoreline of the Ísafjarðardjúp bay. There are a few scattered farms along with some summerhouses and on good days you can see the village of Súðavík located on the southern shore of the bay.

One of the most beloved composers of the country, Sigvaldi Kaldalóns, who also was a doctor of medicine, lived briefly in Kaldalón, not so far from where we will be staying. He took up the name Kaldalón, because the natural beauty of the place spellbound him.

The second week takes place in Drangsnes in Strandir. The area has a mythological aura and the landscape draws people into the world of elves, trolls and other supernatural creatures. The drift wood has always been one of the main valuables of the people in Strandir and it has been used for building houses, boats and heating up accommodation. The numerous hiking ways in the area attract many visitors during the summertime to enjoy the beautiful landscape.

Just outside the shore is the beautiful island of Grímsey in Steingrímsfjörður, where part of the work will take place. The island is the largest island in the fjord and people lived there until the 20th century and in 1949 an old lighthouse was rebuilt which was destroyed in the Second World War.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp 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.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 160.

Volunteers applying for this project should have a motivation for working outdoors. This combination of two places will give SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to visit two beautiful places of the country, get to know different popular historical and geographical areas in Iceland.

AGE: 18+