Local flower festival in South Iceland

WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to work in the hot spring capital of the world Hveragerði, volunteering for the municipality. The town is built above a hot-spring field, and derives its name from the Icelandic word for hot spring: hver.

For the first week volunteers will mainly be helping with the preparation of the local town festival ‘Flowers in Town’ or ‘Blóm í bæ’ which is a gardening and flower exhibition held in the town on 26-28 June. Volunteers will assist with general preparation of the local festival as well as preparing flower decorations. During the festival volunteers will also help with various tasks as well as help the locals clean after the festival itself.

After the festival, volunteers will help with various tasks such as making walking paths in the geothermal area and applying preservation oil on wood.

This project is ideal for volunteers interested in gardening and flowers. The festival is also a great opportunity to meet Icelandic locals. Townspeople actively participate in the festival by innovatively decorating their houses and gardens with flowers and also a few inhabitants open their backyards to visitors and serve vegetable soup.

ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be staying in a local house/school. Volunteers will have access to kitchen and bathrooms and will sleep on mattresses on the floor. Shower facilities in the building are basic. Volunteers will have free access to the local swimming pool.

Please bring your own sleeping bag.

Volunteers will receive food supplies and be in charge of cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for an international evening.

LOCATION:  Hveragerði is a South-Iceland town renowned for greenhouse gardening and its geothermal springs. It is located 45 Km from Reykjavik, and may be seen from the vantage point of the Kambar mountain slope, as it spreads out across a 5,000 year-old lava field.

Throughout the years, pillars of steam from the numerous hot springs in the town may be seen rising up out of the ground. In summer the town is truly a green community, abounding in trees. A green revolution is taking place as areas of woodland expand in and around Hveragerði, with the locals working together in order to further develop their blossoming town.

The Hveragerði surroundings are a paradise for outdoor activities. There are hiking trails in the recreational area of Hamar Mountain. From the mountain there are excellent views of land and out to sea. To the north of town is one of the country’s largest geothermal areas, Hengill, where plumes of steam can be seen for miles. Hiking and riding trails stretch from town through Ölfusdalur valley, into the Hengill volcanic area, all the way to Nesjavellir and Þingvellir National Park. Along the way are warm springs where bathing is possible.

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 a “minibus option”, a special shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp which includes the Golden circle excursion. This excursion will be organised on the first day of the camp and it is included in the fee of the project.

Departure time will be at 9:00 in the morning.

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros). This fee is paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas. The fee includes the transportation from Reykjavík to the camp and back (on the first and last day of the camp) and the Golden Circle trip. 

AGE: 18+