Outdoor work on the South Shore

WORK/PROJECT: In this project volunteers will assist with renovations of an old farm in the south of Iceland which is being changed into a guesthouse. Our hosts are a young family that recently bought the farm and are renovating the house and maintaining the area, including a couple of historically preserved buildings.

The main work tasks will be to clean the area, tear down old fences and fix newer ones, paint a historically preserved house and outhouses, and help with repairs on a historically preserved barn.

Volunteers will also plant trees and/or other vegetation, as well as help with some farming activities such as cleaning out old hay from a barn. Based on the interest of the volunteers, they will have the opportunity to learn about tourist services such as booking and receiving guests.

The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable so be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and bring warm clothing.          

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a small house on the land with access to a bathroom and kitchen in the next house. Volunteers will sleep in shared rooms in sleeping bags. Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Breakfast will be prepared by the host. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION: The project is located on a farm on the South shore of Iceland, a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and glaciers to the north and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south.  The farm is beautifully located between Dyrhóley and Pétursey islands on land. In the beginning the farm was still powered by a home hydroelectric generating station, which is still standing although no longer in use.

The farm is only a ten minutes’ drive from the town of Vík í Mýrdal, which is Iceland's most southerly village. Vík is a charming small village surrounded by high beautiful bird cliffs with beautiful ocean view.

Mýrdalur is bordered by the glacial river Jökulsá to the west and the river Blautakvísl to the east. Its northern border is the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which caps the volcanic Mt. Katla, while its southern limits are black sands and the sea. Just east of Vík’s outskirts lies one of Europe's biggest arctic tern breeding grounds.

A range of recreational opportunities are offered in the area, including glacier hiking, snowmobiling, ice climbing, bird watching, nature hiking and horse riding as well as equestrian displays. There are also a number of exhibitions and museums, like Skogar museum where the old turf houses can be seen, and Skaftfellingur VE33 ship exhibitions.

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: The participation fee is EUR 180 (Euros). Please note that this fee is to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Volunteers should be motivated to get to know the way of life in rural areas of Iceland.

Our host will organise free time activities in the area depending on the weather conditions.

Age: 18+