To the center of the earth - Snæfellsjökull

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to work in the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Our host is the Environmental agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun), which SEEDS has been working with since 2007 in diverse projects in the national parks and protected areas of the country.

The work in this project will mainly consist of cleaning and beautifying the area around the glacier Snæfellsjökull, as well around the coast.

Volunteers will also help to maintain hiking paths and other light maintenance in the area.

Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging the environment and this also helps to improve safety for visitors.

Volunteers should be prepared for all kinds of weather. The work is physically demanding and volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a local house during this workcamp. Volunteers will share the responsibilities of the cooking and cleaning activities.

Volunteers will have to bring their own sleeping bag and familiarize themselves with the Equipment Checklist in the Specific Information sheet.

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

LOCATION: The workcamp is located in Snæfellsjökull National Park on the Snæfellsness peninsula. The National Park is about 2, 5 hours’ drive from Reykjavík.

The park was established in 2001 and it is one of the most visited parks in Iceland. Snaefellsjokull is the most famous volcano in Iceland, as it became world famous after Jules Verne described it in his book of "A Journey to the Center of the Earth" as the starting point of the journey.

The Snæfellsjökull glacier lies on top of a volcano and it’s the center of the park. Its peak reaches 1446 metres and in a clear day it can be seen all the way from Reykjavik.

The mountain was first climbed in 1754 and like many other volcanoes in Iceland, it is still active. The latest eruption occurred 1900 years ago. The glacier covers the summit crater to the depth of 200 metres.

Due to global warming the glacier has shrunken and it continues to shrink. Some researchers predict that the glacier could vanish in less than 50 years.

LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

TERMINAL: Closest 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 krónas.

In the area, it is possible to take countless fascinating walks and hikes which volunteers will be able to explore in their free time.

Volunteers need to be prepared for hard physical work, free time activities are mostly outdoors, like hikes in the area.

Volunteers have to familiarize themselves with the Equipment Checklist at the Information Sheet.

Age:18+