Lost in Iceland!

WORK/PROJECT: This project gives SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to work and live in an organic farm in the south of Iceland.

There is an organic market run by the farm and their neighbours during the summertime. We will be assisting in harvesting vegetables and fruits to sell at the market. We will also be planting trees on the farm if we have time.

Our main task will be to work on, in and around a maze that is located on the farm. The maze is about 1.000 square meters in size and needs to be maintained properly. We will be mowing, trimming and cleaning around the hedges of the maze. This maze is one of a kind here in Iceland.

There is an Icelandic saying: if you get lost in a forest in Iceland, you just have to stand up! So this workcamp provides a unique opportunity to get lost, but in a safe way.

ACCOMMODATION: We will be staying in tents on the farm land in a very calm and isolated place, surrounded by trees. Please bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat. We will have access to all facilities. We will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities. All our vegetables will be fresh and organic from the farm.

Please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: We will be staying in the south of Iceland in the municipality of Bláskógabyggð. You will find a lot of history and attractive places to visit in the neighbourhood.

The name of the municipality means blue-woods-community. The name is drawn from the colour that often appears in the woods north of Þingvellir. This area is mentioned in many of the Icelandic sagas. In the municipality you find Skálholt which is one of Iceland’s most important historic sites. Christianity was made the state religion of Iceland by law in 1000 A.D. The country’s first bishop, Ísleifur Gissurarson, ordained in 1056, settled at Skálholt, which was a centre of culture and education for 700 years. Of the bishops residing there in the middle ages, Þorlákur Þórhallsson (bishop 1178-1198), Iceland’s only saint, should be remembered.

Being close to Skálholt means that we are also close to the famous Gullfoss and Geysir, and we will surely have the opportunity to go there.

Gullfoss (golden falls) is a particularly enchanting waterfall. The River Hvítá drops over a cliff and changes direction. Two-tiered Gullfoss produces a drenching spray; so if the sun's shining, the spray becomes a canvas for a rainbow. Geysir, is very close by and started erupting in 1294, but is now essentially dormant. Strokkur (the churn), another geyser, is much more reliable. It spews water high into the air every few minutes.

So we will be surrounded by history and beautiful nature!

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

STUDY THEME: This workcamp has an educational/awareness-raising approach to environmental awareness, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. The group is encouraged to organise and develop fun, interactive and educational activities within the project.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and vice-versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, this option 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 180.

Volunteers applying for this project should have a motivation for working outdoors and be ready to sleep in tents.