Growing Gardens in Reykjavík (3:4)

WORK/PROJECT: The volunteers will work in a Gardening station run by the municipality of Reykjavík. The station takes care of growing flowers, eatable plants and trees for the green areas of the city and the educational school gardens of Reykjavík. The station aims at maintaining Icelandic species and cultivars and to increase those who have adapted well to Icelandic climate. The station also tries to experiment with new species to increase variety and quality of plants that are grown in the gardens and recreational areas of the city.

SEEDS volunteers will be doing general garden work in the station, attending the flowers, trees and other plants and clearing out weed. Part of the work may take place in green houses. The work can be repetitive as general gardening tasks tend to be. The project starts early every week day, working hours are from 8:00 - 15:30, so volunteers have to be motivated to work early in the morning, but they will have more free time in the afternoon.

ACCOMMODATION:  SEEDS volunteers will stay in an equipped house that is situated in the middle of the gardening station about 4 Kilometres from the city centre. The house is used as the offices and facilities of the staff of the gardening station and it is equipped with kitchen, dining area, shower and washing machine.

Volunteers will be sleeping on mattresses in a shared sleeping bag accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.

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

LOCATION: The population of Iceland’s capital Reykjavik is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland’s inhabitants live here. It is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers.

The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides.

Reykjavik is often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík 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 surrounded with beautiful nature.

Visitors to Reykjavík experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city -whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife.

In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavík, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit.

In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.

LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 200,- (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still get cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.

Excursions (Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South shore, etc) can be arranged at discount fares.

Age: 20+