Far far away! Icelandic heritage

WORK/PROJECT: The work of SEEDS volunteers will be related to a beautiful Icelandic set of old turf houses that has been transformed into a museum; which is one of the best kept farmhouses from this era in the country.

The museum emphasizes on a realistic set up of its collection, as if the inhabitants just went out for a moment. Additionally they work on transmitting the old ways of working through events, workshops and courses. The museum is unique in the way it shows clearly how the way of living has changed drastically from around 1770 until the last inhabitants lived in the farm in the 1960’s.

Many tasks will be related to the museum itself, such as cleaning and polishing the collective items, but the museum includes i.e. textile, wooden household things and other items used in Iceland in the olden days. We will be cleaning the area, maintaining the houses and preparing for the busy season ahead.

Volunteers will also check and mark walking trails in Vopnafjörður and its surroundings.

Additional tasks may include cleaning the old turf coffee house.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a local house, either sleeping in beds or on mattresses on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Food will be provided and volunteers will have access to a kitchen and have to take care of their own cooking and cleaning activities.

Please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The project takes place in the north east part of Iceland in a mountainous bay (fjord) called Vopnafjörður, the Fjord of the Weapons, a name that comes from one of the Viking settlers, Eyvindur Vopni. The fjord is renowned for its natural beauty and good weather with salmon rivers and large areas of untouched landscape.

The town Vopnafjörður is one of the warmest places in the country and warmer than most places at a similar latitude. The reason is the warm waters of the Gulf Stream that moderates the winters and makes the island habitable. The main industries of Vopnafjörður are fish processing, agriculture, and tourism and other services. Inhabitants of the fjord are 683 there of 540 who are living in the village.

The county is divided into three valleys, Hofsdalur, Vesturárdalur and Selárdalur and in those valleys are some of the most popular fishing rivers in the country. Selárdalur has natural hot springs, and next to them is a swimming pool with a hot Jacuzzi.

In Iceland you may find many unique pools all over the country but the one in Selárdalur is one of the most special. The area has various lakes, some of them popular for fishing, but others have gotten smaller due to soil erosion.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airports: Keflavík /Reykjavík (KEF); nearest domestic airports are Þórshöfn (THO) and Akureyri (AEY), while the closest bus stop is in town.

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.

SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 180. Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Our local hosts will organise some free time activities and sightseeing to some of the interesting attraction spots in the area. Remote and isolated site located in natural areas of extreme beauty.  

Countless opportunities to discover the area by foot or to hike in the surroundings.

Age: 18+