Fun, farm & Animals in the South (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: The aim of the project is to assist in preparing and building animal houses and shelters from recyclable material in a farm. Volunteers will be building an animal living area and pens from repurposed pallets. This is done to ease the access to the animals and make them feel better. The goal is to make a little zoo with animals that are in Iceland so that people can experience animals in an old farm.

On the farm there are dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, hens, cattle, a raven and pigeons, so volunteers need to have the motivation to work around the animals as well as to be ready to do manual work such building and fencing work. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own ideas on how to use pallets and/or other recyclable materials for the construction. Other tasks might be general beautifying of the area and clean up after the winter.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to be part of an Icelandic farm life and work where they will have the chance to enjoy the outdoors, the work, the animals, the building process, the farming and the time spent with the local hosts. We will work with an Icelandic family, participating in the diverse tasks of their daily lives. This is a unique occasion to experience first-hand how a family in the Icelandic countryside lives.

The working plan will be flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts, the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the farm and of course on the weather conditions.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house. Bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the workcamp (but might be essential before and after it).

Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities and will divide the tasks among themselves. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION:  Volunteers will stay about 70 km from Reykjavik with an easy access from the main highway, only 16 km from the town of Selfoss where you will find all the modern comforts an Icelandic town has to offer. Volunteers will mostly stay in the project place as work and accommodation is both located in a rural area with no public transportation.

Volunteers will stay in a renovated country lodge in a beautiful setting above the lake of Villingarholt. From there you will enjoy a magnificent view, where you can easily spot the Westman islands (Vestmannaeyjar), the glacier of Eyjafjall (Eyjafjallajökull), the Tinda Mountains (Tindfjöll), the famous volcano Hekla and the slopes of Hella.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; high proficiency is not required.

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

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a special shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp which includes the Golden circle excursion. This excursion will be organised on the first day of the camp and it is included in the fee of the project. Departure time will be at 9:00 in the morning.

Apart from being cheaper than regular public services or tour operators, it also allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas. The fee includes the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back (on the first and last day of the camp). In the first day we will do the Golden Circle trip.

Our hosting partner will organise some free time activities such as hiking, fishing in a nearby lake and bicycling. Volunteers have to be open for living and working with a local family.

The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable, winter is kicking in soon, it can be cold and hats and gloves can be needed. Bring good working shoes & clothes.

Age: 18+