Ísafjarðarbær - West Fjords

WORK/PROJECT: In this project SEEDS volunteers will get the chance to work with a support fund for skiers. The support fund´s goals are to support young, promising skiers, build good ski trails, help provide great accommodation for skiers, operate a top scale skiing school and much more related to skiing.

The main task in this project is to build a 60m2 house for the skiers to stay in during their trainings. A professional carpenter will work with the volunteers at all times, as well as other professional workers who will teach the volunteers how to do what they are supposed to do. The volunteer’s main tasks will be to saw, hammer, carry timber and other tasks related to this.

Volunteers might also be asked to help shovel holes for the veranda foundations and other related tasks.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing, sleeping in beds. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Food will be provided and volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen, preparing the meals and cleaning up.

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

LOCATION: The workcamp takes place in a very nice town called Ísafjörður, which is located in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 8000 people live there. This makes the area one of the least populated areas of Europe.

Ísafjörður is the largest town in the Westfjords with a population of about 2600. Despite its size, small population, and historical isolation from the rest of the country, the town has a rather urban atmosphere. Ísafjörður has a school of music as well as a hospital. The older former hospital building now accommodates a cultural center with a library and showrooms.

The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. In the area you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep. Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.

Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option, this provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors in this area.

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

TERMINAL: Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).  Domestic airport is Ísafjörður (IFJ).

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 200 (Euros). 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. There are countless opportunities to discover the area by foot or to hike in the surroundings.

Weather in Iceland is unpredictable and hats and gloves can be needed. Please bring warm clothes, warm sleeping bag and good working shoes.

Age: 18+