Alviðra - Environmental Education Centre (1:2)

WORK/PROJECT: This project gives SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to work and live in an old farm which has been transformed into an environmental-education centre, Alviðra.

School kids are invited to take part in educational projects during spring and autumn in this popular place. The house and the surroundings need maintenance work and we will take part in various tasks in order to fix, maintain and beautify the house and its surroundings.

We will paint and give the houses a facelift which have been worn down due to wind and rain. We will work with the wood collected in the area, both in a creative way and to chip it down for various usages. We will also do gardening work such as cutting grass in the fields, gathering it together and possibly planting trees.

We aim at starting a vegetable garden, so it has to be prepared, maintained and cared for. We will take care of the hen house which keeps the original species from the time of the settlers in Iceland. Other tasks we will possibly undertake during the camp are marking and making hiking trails, light maintenance inside or outside the house. We will have time to work in creative projects.

ACCOMMODATION: We will live in a beautiful typical Icelandic farmhouse and will sleep in the loft on mattresses with sleeping bags. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The house has all facilities available. Food ingredients will be provided; we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. Do not forget some traditional food for the international evening.

LOCATION: We will stay in an old farmhouse, Alviðra, 1 hour drive from Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The house sits under Ingólfsfjall, The Mountain of Ingólfur, with a view to Eyjafjallajökull where the volcanic eruptions started in March and April.

The place is protected as natural Icelandic heritage; the nature, vegetation and birdlife is rich in variety and quantity. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities in a peaceful and beautiful location with a small stream and a pond nearby. Hiking trails with maps about cultural heritage can be found are spread around the area, which is a popular attraction among foreign and local visitors.

Wild blue- and crowberries grow on the land and the berry season is in late August/September. The house serves as an environmental-educational centre where students and other visitors can have a look at an extensive stone and stuffed animal collection.

The river Sogið is within walking distance which is a place of interest in itself regarding birdlife and fishing. The river is 19 km long and is the largest freshwater river in the country in terms of flow. The nearest town, Selfoss, is only 10 minutes-drive away with 6500 inhabitants, is a centre of commerce and small industries where you find a geothermal swimming pool, shops, museums, cafés and bars.

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, nature-protection and sustainable development topics. The group is encouraged to organise and develope 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, 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 applying for this project should have a motivation for working outdoors. We will take part and organize a Mid-summer night festival and be invited to listen to stories about the hidden people. SEEDS and our hosts will organise a one day excursion by car for the group of volunteers.

AGE: 16+