Volunteering at the feet of Eyjafjallajökull (1:2)

WORK/PROJECT: For the fourth year in a row SEEDS volunteers will be working at this farm in the South of Iceland, at the feet of the famous Eyjafjallajökull, which last erupted in 2010. Our tasks will mainly be focused on improving the environment and preparing the place for summer.

The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on the needs of our hosts as well as weather conditions. If the weather allows the work will mostly take place outdoors. We will assist in cleaning up the area, clearnig old fences and replacing them. If the weather does not allow for outside work we will be doing some mentenance work inside, cleaning out a storage and cleaning up old hey. Possibly we will start preparing for the lambing season. The work is very physical.

We will have a unique opportunity to live and work with an Icelandic family, participating in the diverse tasks of their daily lives. The farm is big, with sheep, cows and horses. The owners have their own produce which we will have the opportunity to learn about.

ACCOMMODATION: In this camp volunteers will be hosted in a farmhouse, sleeping together in one big room on mattresses on the floor. Volunteers will have to bring their own sleeping bag. The house is a fully equipped home, with access to a kitchen, bathroom and washing machine.

We will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning. Please remember to bring some traditional or typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The work camp is located in a farm in the beautiful south lowlands of Iceland. We will be able to explore and enjoy the surroundings; the land is mostly made out of sand and rock sediments delivered by the river Þjórsá during the last centuries. The land is covered mostly by green grass and the closeness of the ocean can be felt in the air. Small earthquakes that can rarely be felt are very common in the area since the mid-Atlantic ridge goes across Iceland and the southern lowland is situated between the two largest tectonic plates in the world, the Eurasian and North American plate.

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.

In this area you will find some of Iceland's most beautiful places, like Þórsmörk, Tindfjöll, Eyjafjallajökull, Skógarfoss, Seljalandsfoss (a waterfall you can walk behind) and Paradísarhellir (Paradise Cave) in addition to finding unique natural and geological heritage sites and relics of a centuries-old forest. Furthermore, the ferry to the Westman-islands is very close. The islands are beautiful and offer a great opportunity to see the aftermath of a volcanic eruption, as a third of the town was buried under lava in the year 1973.

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).

SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it 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).

Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks included in the project. The work is very physical.

Please bring warm clothes. Place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot. Volunteers will have the opportunity to go horse-back riding during the project.

AGE: 18+