Nature & Fun at the feet of Vatnajökull

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will perform diverse outdoors work consisting of:

- Making, marking and maintaining walking paths, put up information signs for visitors.

- Setting up fences to withhold cattle in the field and paint windows of the houses and stalls.

- Planting trees in order to make a sheltered area and help around with the spring tasks in the garden and on the land.

- Putting wood protection on timber constructed toilet facilities in a new outdoor and recreational area close to the glacier Flákajökull.

All the projects undertaken will be for the benefits of the local society and the nature of the area.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS 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 project takes place in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland placed between the town Höfn in Hornarfjörður and the glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón where big icebergs float. Tourism has been a growing field in the area and the locals are meeting the new demands. By working under an environmental framework they get a yearly certificate from Green Globe.

They focus on keeping the area clean and attractive; reduce waste of recourses and pollution by recycling, saving energy and using environmental friendly products. It is important that the nature and cultural heritage is protected and respected but at the same time accessible and interesting for visitors. The project aims at using local product and services as long as it fulfils quality standards. SEEDS volunteers are encouraged to bring in their own ideas on how to develop their environmental guidelines even further.

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 view is spectacular and the biggest national park in Europe with the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajökull is only few kilometres away. The unique beauty of the nature, unpredictable weathers during winter and local culture have shaped the culture in the area.

The Vatnajökull N.P., stretching from the south coast to the north coast of the island; it is the largest protected wilderness in Europe. It covers around 15.000 km2 (15% of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajökull glacier, the former Skaftafell N.P., Jokulsargljufur N.P. and surrounding area.

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 120.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working with outdoors and getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland. Spare time activities will be organized for the volunteers by SEEDS and/or the local hosts free of charge.