Skagafjörður in the North of Iceland (2:2)

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will be working on environmental and nature oriented tasks in this project in the North of the country.

The tasks will mainly be focused on harvesting potatoes from the ground, picking berries and mushrooms. The host has a small 100% organic food and herb production, which focuses on manually handpicked food ingredients. This is a great volunteer project for those who love food, outdoors and have opinions about nutrition.

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

Last but not least volunteers will explore the surroundings of the location and enjoy free time activities arranged in cooperation with the local host.

ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will sleep in an apartment, sharing rooms. The apartment is fully equipped with access to a kitchen and a bathroom. 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 an international evening.

LOCATION: Known as flashy dressers, the people of Skagafjörður were proud and often preferred to seek other work than farming. In this they were considered rather distinct from other Icelanders. Horsemanship was widespread in Skagafjörður and singing was given more weight than in many other regions; there culture and literature prospered.

Even though the vast majority of Skagafjörður residents make their living through agriculture, many were also engaged in fishing. Stagnation can be said to have marked many fields of life from about 1650 until 1850, when the impact of the industrial revolution began to be felt, and the Icelandic demand for increased independence from Denmark received a great deal of local support. Trade practices likewise began to change and the general population began to migrate from the countryside. Many moved to America, but others simply into villages and larger towns.

The previous history of Skagafjörður was decisively shaped by the presence of the bishop's seat. On the secular side, however, there were powerful chieftains living at such Skagafjörður estates as Reynistaður, Flugumýri and Ás, to name a few.

In Skagafjörður you will find many protected areas such as Orravatnsrústir, in the grazing commons Hofsafrétt; wetlands surrounding Orravatn lake and reaching north to Reyðarvatn lake. Another example of an exclusive area in Skagafjörður is the Upper end of Vesturdalur valley (Hofsárdalur valley): The innermost part of Vesturdalur, upstream from Miðmundargil gorge and including the canyon stretching inland from the valley. Unusual, lush valley, encircled by cliffs and precipitous slopes with enchanting waterfalls in Fossá river. 

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

TERMINAL: International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).

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 200 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic kronas.

Our hosting partner will organise free time activities such as hiking.

Age: 18+