Forestry in the land of fire and ice (3:4)

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 Siglufjörður a small Icelandic town with a population of roughly 1200 people.

Volunteers will be working in the surrounding forest, thinning it, taking wood out, making walking paths and placing information panels. Volunteers will help with general clean up and beautifying the area. Volunteers may have the chance to a run wood chipping machine under safe condition and supervision.

Eight working hours of efficient work 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 staying in a fully equipped accommodation.  Please bring your own warm sleeping bag.

Food supplies will be provided, cooking facilities 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 Siglufjörður, a fishing town that has been shrinking in size since the 1950s when the town reached its peak with 3,000 inhabitants.

Siglufjörður is a part of the municipality of Fjallabyggð (e. Mountain Settlement). The area is known for its natural beauty and variety of hiking paths.

The town grew up around the herring industry that was in much bloom in the 1940s and 1950s, but the herring are gone now. Today the town remains dependent on fishing industries although the herring is not to be found. The government of Iceland is attempting to reverse the population shrinking in the area by improving land transportation.

Siglufjörður was connected with a road for the first time in 1940, when the horse riding trail was improved enabling cars to get through. Before, ships, seaplanes, horses and strong legs provided the transport.The old road to Siglufjörður is open during the summer. The road was and still is the highest mountain road in Iceland and is used today both for hiking, horse-riding and driving.

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 300 (Euros). Please note that the fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic crowns. The fee includes the domestic transportation from Reykjavík to Siglufjörður and back (on the first and last day of the camp).

Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and be preparedto experience all kinds of weather. Please bring warm clothes since the project takes place outdoors.

This camp includes environmental education and weekends will be devoted to leisure activities organised in cooperation with SEEDS and our hosting partner. 

Age: 18+