Nature & Culture in the South of Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: This project gives SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to work in very diverse tasks; assisting in the early phases of preparing a local museum, doing environmental work and helping with traditional farming. It takes place in an agricultural area in the South of Iceland which is rich in both, culture and history.

When preparing the museum we will move collection items into a storage house, tear down old houses, find reusable material for reconstruction of other houses and do some maintenance work on the future museum.

The environmental work will consist of collecting drift wood in the beach, cleaning the coast line and marking hiking paths, taking care of popular spots which need to be tendered after the busy summer season, when most of the travellers visits the area.

The farming will offer us to get to know the Icelandic farm life by milking the cows, working in the stables and assist with the busy household tasks. We will be part of a family and work hand in hand with them.

We will also have the chance to participate in “Réttir” (the annual sheep round-up in the area). Réttir is one of the most beautiful Icelandic traditions. The annual round-up of sheep and horses is very popular and people come from the city and to take part in the activities. Réttir is a tradition which goes back a thousand years to the Viking settlement.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Other guests or travellers might be in the house at the same time as it is a guesthouse accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities and please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for travellers as the landscape offers diverse and breathtaking nature. Rivers and waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and long beaches form a contrast and offer a wide range of experiences. The project takes place in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland with 35 life stock: There of 8 milking cows, 330 sheep, hens, cat and a puppy so it gives us a good example of rural living in Iceland.

Apart from traditional farming the inhabitants are building up a museum which will weave together history, culture and nature. The farm is on a flat area between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Vík í Mýrdal and has amazing view to sands, mountains and glaciers in the west and north and to the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Mýrdalssandur is a sandy area about 700 km2 and its mythical appearance has been an inspiration both in traditional folklore and in modern lyrics and stories today.

In September we will have very good chances to see the Northen Lights (Aurora Borealis) as long as the sky is clear and conditions right.

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 camps 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 100.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working with outdoors and getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland. We will have very good chances to see the Northen Lights (Aurora Borealis) as long as the sky is clear and conditions right.

AGE: 18 +