Renovation in Pristine Isolation

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working in a cultural and historical heritage project, assisting in renovating an old church. This project will include carpentry work, building fences around the old church, maintaining the area around the church and old priests' house. We might also, if time and weather allows, be assisting in some surfacing work, changing the corrugated iron on a barn. This project is very ambitious and all former work has been done with the uttermost respect for the past. This is a great opportunity to stay in a remote, historical location doing meaningful work with this small community in the Icelandic Western fjords.

ACCOMMODATION: We will be hosted in the old Priests' house, in sleeping bag accommodation with mattresses on the floor. Please bring you own sleeping bag. Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available, volunteers will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: This work camp is located in the Icelandic Western Fjords, which are too often missed by visitors due to its distance (real and perceived) from Route 1, the circle road, and from other population centres. The West Fjords are a mass of fjords, mountains and isolated villages on spits of lands surrounded by water and mountains. The area includes its own glacier, waterfall, the magnificent, remote Hornstrandir and Europe's westernmost point of land at Látrabjarg, in about one hour drive, you will find this gigantic, sheer cliff facing the North Atlantic Ocean. There, millions of birds nest in the cliffs among them puffins, arctic tern, guillemots and other types of birds making Látrabjarg a must for bird watchers. Close to the site you will find ruins from one of the first settlers and the area is surrounded by mountains and sea with beautiful sand beaches that offer endless opportunities to enjoy nature and wilderness during all seasons. The vicinity offers a variety of interesting places to explore; hiking and mountain climbing are popular. The sheer beauty of the region attracts many people and tourism has started to play an increasing role recently. The distance from Reykjavik is about 5 hours drive by the Whale Bay tunnel. It is perhaps one of Iceland's most remote areas. In the West fjords one travels through the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch and willow, to mossy moors. On a stroll amidst the driftwood on the shore one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the deserted farmsteads.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavik/Reykjavik (KEF). Closest bus stop is in town. SEEDS organises the 'minibus option', a shared transport from Reykjav'k 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 180,- (Euros). Place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot. SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area for the volunteers. This might include sightseeing, hiking, swimming,, natural hot tub on the beach, sailing and visiting the island of Flatey with the Ferry.

Age 18+