Island of Viðey

WORK/PROJECT:

The city of Reykjavík will be our host again in this project and SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work in the historical island of Viðey for the 6th year in a row!

In Viðey we will work on environmental and nature related issues, such as harvesting of vegetables and crops grown in the island. During last years, SEEDS volunteers have put up a vegetable market and some of the produce is being sold during the weekends.

Depending on the advance of the project, we may have other possible tasks as maintenance and marking of hiking paths or bicycle trails, work on common and green recreational areas, gardening and painting works, cleaning of the coastline, etc.

We will also help with preparing the island for the autumn/winter season by taking care of bicycles, tools and furniture and store them inside.

ACCOMMODATION:

Volunteers will be lodged in a local house at Viðey island, with a fully equipped kitchen. sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Bringing a sleeping bag is needed.

Volunteers will be given food supplies but take care of the cooking themselves, as being in charge of the cleaning and housekeeping activities.

Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION:

Viðey or “Wood Island” is the largest (1,7 km²) island in the Kollafjord Bay, just outside Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here.

Viðey was inhabited from soon after the settlement of Iceland already in the 10th century and at the beginning of the 20th century around 100 people lived there. But it’s uninhabited nowadays.

There is a regular boat connection between the island and the harbour of Reykjavík. The trip takes just about 10 minutes and is only a few hundred metres away from the city. This makes Viðey so special, it is a peaceful place, very close to the busy city life of the capital.

There are hiking and cycling paths around the island and there is no motor traffic allowed. It also inhabits intriguing sculptural art work, amongst them all nine pairs of basalt pillars that comprise Richard’s Serra’s work Áfangar and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine peace” column, a tower of light, which is supported by the widow of John Lennon.  http://imaginepeace.com/news/imagine-peace-tower

Other places of interest on Viðey are related to archaeological research, the village. At the eastern end of the island is the site of the abandoned fishing village and Viðeyjarnaust, at the southwest of the island, it is a memorial to the twenty men who lost their lives when the cutter Ingvar sank off Viðey in 1906. Dramatic formations of columnar basalt may be seen on the shore.

LANGUAGE:

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL:

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).

A whale watching boat trip and some other spare time activities in the area will be organised free of charge for SEEDS volunteers.

SEEDS Volunteers will have free rides in the boat/ferry to the city of Reykjavík during their free time.

Excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) will be organised at discount fares for SEEDS volunteers.

Bring warm clothes, hats, gloves & scarves as part of the project takes place outside.

Age: 18+