The Small Town Games in the North West

WORK/PROJECT: For the first time, SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to take part in two different sports events in the North of Iceland; a football tournament for young kids called “Smábæjarleikarnir” (the Small Town Games) and a sports event called “Landsmót 50+” held by the Icelandic Youth Association (UMFÍ) for seniors over 50 years old.

The Small Town Games is a football tournament for kids aged 6-13. The tournament is 2 days long and has been growing every year since it was first held. This year the town is expecting around 800 people to come for the tournament.

Landsmót 50+ is a sports event for people over 50 years old. People will compete in various sports, for instance in boccia, tractor driving, athletics, golf, judo, chess, swimming and more.

Volunteers will be involved in preparing the two tournaments and assisting during them. Volunteers will help prepare the competition areas, put up signs, clean the areas and other related tasks. During competition days, volunteers will help with timing, catering, picking up garbage and other related tasks. Volunteers will play a big role in making it possible for these events to take place.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a local school, sleeping on mattresses on the floor, with access to kitchen and bathrooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will be provided with food and be in charge of the cooking themselves. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

LOCATION: The project is located about 250 Km from Reykjavík, in the North West of the country.

The work camp will take place in a small town called Blönduós which is the largest urban area in Húnaflói bay. The employment is connected to agriculture, industry, services and fishing industry. A creamery and butchery is operated in the town. At Blönduós there is a well-equipped Hospital, health service, service apartments for the elderly, a Community centre, a Sports centre, Swimming pool, good Camping area, a Hotel, Cafés & Restaurants and much more.

A handcraft museum, the only one of a kind in Iceland, is to be found in Blönduós. There is also a Sea Ice Exhibition Centre in the old part of the town and The Icelandic Textile Center in the old Woman’s handcrafts college in Blönduós.

The river Blanda runs through the town and is the longest and perhaps the most powerful Salmon river in Iceland. The source of the river Blanda is in the southwest side of the glacier Höfsjökull and it runs into Húnaflói bay at Blönduós. The catchment area of Blanda is estimated to be 2370 km2 and is among the longest rivers in the country with a length of circa 125 km. The river is one of the main salmon rivers in Iceland and has often yielded a catch of almost 3000 salmon in one summer. In the river Blanda is the Island Hrútey. This island is protected and has good walking paths.

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 camps and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, 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 250 (Euros). Please note these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in Icelandic krónas or Euros.

Our local hosts will organise leisure activities for the group of volunteers, for instance a guided hiking tour, visits to local museums and possibly horseback riding. SEEDS volunteers will have free access to the local geothermal pool in Blönduós.

Weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable, so be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors.

Age: 18+