Forestry in the land of fire and ice (1:4)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will participate for the fourth year in a row in a unique project with the Icelandic Forestry Association. The work camp will take place in an old Icelandic farm, in the beautiful area of Lake Úlfljótsvatn, just under Þingvallavatn, and possibly go for couple of days to Skógar, just south of the famous Eyjafjallajökull. Volunteers will be working on the surrounding farmland, performing different tasks such as clearing old fences, planting trees, cleaning up, farm restoration and beautifying the area.

Eight working hours are expected on week days. After the workday, some time will be devoted to education. During this relaxed interactive time volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and discuss about environmental matters and forestry, practice numerous tools, realize craftwork, go hiking, visit places of interest in the surroundings, go to the local swimming pool and take part in local cultural events. Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks connected with the project. Work is physical and demanding.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a basically equipped farmhouse in a sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Food supplies will be provided and a kitchen will be available. Volunteers will share the duties of cooking and cleaning.

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

LOCATION: The camp will take place in the area of Lake Úlfljótsvatn which lies just south of Lake Thingvallavatn a 70 km drive from Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The area is beloved among scouts and nature lovers and it is popular for recreational fishing. The attractive surroundings of the lake are patterned with hiking trails and walking paths.

Only a stone's throw away from the site of the camp lays the UNESCO world heritage site of Thingvellir. It’s a national park and was the location of Iceland’s parliament from 930 to 1798. Many of Iceland’s biggest moments in history happened in Thingvellir, such as the adoption of Christianity around 1000 AD and the foundation of the modern Republic in 1944.

History is not the only reason attracting Icelanders and tourists to Þingvellir, it is also a place of extraordinary beauty and a complex ecological system. The area of Þingvellir was established as a national park in 1930 and it is part of a fissure zone running through Iceland.

In case the volunteers will go to Skógar, it is beautiful place wich is located at the south of the Eyjafjallajökull glacier, in the municipality of Rangárþing eystra. The area is known for its waterfall, Skógafoss, one of the biggest waterfalls in the country, on the Skógá river, which springs from 60 metres at the top of an eroded cliff.

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 150 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and be prepared to experience all kinds of weather. Please bring warm clothes with you as the project takes place outdoors and the weather can be cold.

This camp includes environmental education and free time will be devoted to leisure activities organised by our hosting partner.

Age: 18+