The Highlands North of Vatnajökull glacier

WORK / PROJECT: SEEDS Volunteers will have the chance to work for the fifth year in a row in this very special project. Volunteers will work in the midland, East of lake Mývatn and North of the Vatnajökull glacier. The work camp’s base is situated in the highlands - 469 meters above sea level.

The area has been inhabited since the early times of the settlement. As small-scale farming has become more difficult in recent times, some of the locals have decided to combine the farm-work with the new tourism services and push forward alternative ways of income for the region. The extreme beauty of the area draws more and more visitors every year.

Hundreds of years of farming work have taken its toll in the pristine landscape. Volunteers will support local farms in removing elements and machinery (e.g. old tires, old corrugated iron, fences, etc.) that has been left unattended and needs to be removed in order to restore the natural and historical heritage of the region.

Volunteers will also work repairing an old turf building, restoring it to its previous “form“, so it looks similar to the several other turf buildings in the surroundings.

Additional work for us will be turfing, fixing and maintaining walking paths and making a new trail.

ACCOMMODATION:  Volunteers will be lodged in a house in one of the farms, sleeping in shared rooms in beds, please bring a sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food ingredients and be in charge of cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available.

Please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The work camp is located in the North-eastern part of the country and in the vicinity of the largest national park in Europe; Vatnajökull NP; which is now around 12.000 Km² and it is expected to expand within the next years. The region of the park is unique; one can find glaciers, volcanic activity, glacier bursts, eruptions and geothermal heat plus an extremely rare landscape.

With the establishment of Vatnajökull National Park, Icelanders wade into the largest nature conservation project ever taken on in Iceland. It is one of the largest developments the authorities have undertaken in this region and has created many jobs. The land within the park is mostly owned by the government, but a few privately owned districts are a part of the national park.

Under its ice-cap, the glacier hides seven volcanoes and most of them are active. Underneath there is an ice cavern system several kilometres long. Vatnajökull covers about 8% of the country, and is about 1000 m thick at its thickest point. Mount Herðubreið, the queen of Icelandic mountains is located in the area.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; basic conversational skills are required.

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

SEEDS organises a “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camps and back. Apart from being cheap and convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting sites.

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

This work camp takes place in a very remote place, located in a natural area of extreme beauty. Outdoor free time activities, for instance hikes, will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers.

Please bring warm clothes as the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable. Bring comfortable clothes to work in, good overcoats and outdoor wear as well as good shoes or boots.

Age: 18+