Meet us - don’t eat us (6:6)

WORK/PROJECT: This is the sixth year that SEEDS volunteers will take part in a whale protection awareness project run in cooperation with IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare). The aim of the project is to raise awareness about whale protection in a friendly and peaceful manner.

The tasks of the project mainly consists of distributing information, conducting a survey, having people sign a protection petition that will be taken to the government at the end of the work camp, talking to people and having fun in Reykjavík!

Volunteers will also be given the opportunity to prepare and carry out acts or actions to grab attention and entertain passers-by. We encourage each volunteer to come prepared with some ideas of awareness rising for this project, to discuss them with the group and try to implement them.

SEEDS is looking for enthusiastic and open people for this workcamp. Volunteers have to be ready to approach people on the street and start conversations with them. Volunteers with passion for animal and environment protection are encouraged to apply as the work can become a bit repetitive.

Our goal is to raise awareness among tourists (and locals) that by tasting whale meat in Icelandic restaurants they encourage whaling. The truth is that most Icelanders have never tasted whale meat but with increasing tourism, local restaurants are increasingly including whale meat on their menu as an “exotic treat” for tourists.

Iceland was one of the first countries in the world to ban commercial whaling. We can help Iceland to make a positive decision again, by educating the growing number of people who eat up to 40% of the whale meat consumed in the country, but at the same time say they are against whaling.

ACCOMMODATION:  SEEDS volunteers will stay in a house in Reykjavík. The facilities are fairly basic and volunteers are expected to show consideration for their fellow camp mates. Volunteers will sleep in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation. 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 the international evening.

LOCATION: The camp is located in Reykjavik, Europe's most northern capital, a friendly and vibrant city that manages to combine the intimacy of a small-town atmosphere with all the qualities of a modern, trendy city. Here you can leisurely stroll around the lovely little streets of the town centre with its many renovated old houses and there's no hustle and bustle.

The visitor to Reykjavik is simply spoiled when it comes to things to do. There is the National Gallery and a range of other small avant-garde galleries for the art lover. The National Museum provides an exciting insight into Iceland's history and heritage, as does the Arbaer Folk Museum, which is an open-air museum with a collection of old Icelandic houses and artifacts.

In the area closer than 100 km from Reykjavík, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastlines and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit.

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

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

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 220 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

SEEDS will provide volunteers with passes to go on free whale watching trips. Other tours and excursions (e.g. Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Snaefellsnes or South Shore) can be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares. 

18+