Renovating a museum in the East of Iceland

WORK & STUDY/PROJECT: SEEDS Volunteers will be working at a museum located in Egilssta?ir, the largest town in the east of Iceland. The main work will be to help in renovating the museum. The work will include registering and taking pictures of some of the artefacts, as well as putting some of them in storage. Some of the work might be physically demanding as some of the artefacts are big and/or heavy. The museum is being renovated and changed, that is why some things need to be put to storage. We will also be an active part in helping with the renovation and changes.

ACCOMMODATION: We will be staying in a local housing; sleeping on mattresses on the floor; please bring your own sleeping bag. We will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available.

LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað, in eastern Iceland. Total population is 3.467 (01.01.2010) and at 8.884 km², it is the largest municipality (in area) in the country. The biggest town in there is Egilsstaðir and this is where we will be staying.

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 five to ten thousand. The biggest forest in Iceland, Hallormstaðarskógur is also located in Fljótsdalshérað.

Fljótsdalshérað is home to a progressive, energetic society keeping with the special environment of the area. Affected by the surroundings and comfortable climate, the cordiality of locals provides a warm welcome for those visiting the municipality. There is a large range of cultural activities, as well as ambitious work in music, art, drama and varied undertakings by other organisations. Living museums sponsor exhibits and an assortment of presentations and entertaining programmes.

Famous for its natural beauty and pleasant climate, often resembling that on the Continent, Fljótsdalshérað is particularly characterised by woods, whose appearance in the environment is special for Iceland. The local society, waterfalls, lakes and rivers contribute to the many scenic attractions favourable for outdoor recreation. There are many enjoyable walking routes through forests and open areas, and trips into nearby mountain ranges are popular regardless of the time of year. Not only is the fauna varied, but there are outstanding opportunities for bird-watching, besides the unique chance to view reindeer in Iceland.

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

STUDY THEME: Environmental messenger in the project. S/he will be in charge of delivering ecological and global education messages to both, International volunteers and local hosts through organised activities as workshops, presentations, simulations, discussions, games on topics related to environment, nature protection and sustainability as use of resources, globalisation, millennium development goals, global warming, fair trade, recycling, consumption, etc.

TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Egilsstadir (EGS). 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 and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites. 

EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 140,- (Euros).

Free time activities will be organized for SEEDS volunteers.

AGE: 18 +