Working & Fun in the South

WORK/PROJECT: This project gives SEEDS volunteers the opportunity to live and work within a beautiful surroundings hosted in cooperation with the Icelandic Girls and Boys Scouts Association.

The project offers diverse tasks and various experiences for SEEDS volunteers. First of all, we will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area. We will carry out some planting and gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths. Depending on the advance of the project, we may have other possible tasks, like checking up and repairing old fences and light maintenance work in the huts, such as panting.

The work can be physically demanding and volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and to be flexible to work in all the diverse tasks connected with the project. Volunteers should be prepared for cold or rainy weather since the work takes place outdoors.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a local hut, in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

The area has a well equipped kitchen. Volunteers will be provided with food supplies and 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 an international evening.

LOCATION: The Ulfljótsvatn Scout Center is approx. 65 km to east from the capital city of Iceland, Reykjavík. The land is originally a farmland and a property of The City of Reykjavik. The scouts in Iceland rent a piece of the land and have been doing that for over 60 years. Úlfljótsvatn has been for decades the centre for outdoor activities, leader training and summer camp for scouts and guides in Iceland.  The nature is beautiful and outdoor activities are many with nature trail, adventure trail and water safari. Thousands of trees have been planted near the centre in the last 15 years. There is a climbing and abseiling tower in the  area. Fishing is good in the lake and we have canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and today’s most popular boats are 4 persons pedal boats. At the centre you’ll find our 10m high outdoor climbing wall. It’s used both for practice and fun in abseiling and climbing.

Buildings at Úlfljótsvatn are on two sites, originally made for boy scouts on one site and girl guides the other site. Now the sites are not split according to gender - boys and girls use both sites but the old names are kept as a reminder.

In your free time you may be able to visit Reykjavík the capital of Iceland, often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. There is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs; it also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.

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.

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 200 (Euros).

Please note that the fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic crowns.

Free time activities in the area will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers.

The work can be physically demanding and volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and to be flexible to work in all the diverse tasks connected with the project. Volunteers should be prepared for cold or rainy weather since the work takes place outdoors.

Age: 18+