The house where we will stay is run as a volunteer base and most of the maintenance and renovation is in the hands of volunteers. It is surrounded by a large garden and woodland area which needs to be taken care of. Tasks might include mowing the grass, collecting dead plants and scrubs, preparing the vegetable garden for seeding and other general gardening work. The house itself also needs some maintenance: Scraping up old paint from the window frames, sandpaper them and paint them again and fixing the fence in front of the house is among the tasks for us.The project also includes supporting the DesignMarch 2011; which takes place on the weekend of March 24th -27th; there volunteers will assist in various tasks connected to the events.DesignMarch is a four day feast for designers, artists, those with an interest in design, the general public and tourists alike. The first two DesignMarch programmes 2009 and 2010, were splendid and diverse, with events reflecting a wide range of design; for details for the events 2011 click here.We might also assist in the city to keep the public areas lively, attractive, interesting and charming for both the locals and the guests of the city and participate in local events and happenings.
Accomodation & food:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house in Reykjavik; sleeping in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available.
Location & leisure:
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, often called the nightlife capital of the north . But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavik also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.The world s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland s inhabitants live here. Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. March is the last month when you can see, with a piece of good luck, the Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) in Iceland. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavik, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit. Iceland was badly hit with the current financial crisis, which did affect the life for foreign visitors in a positive way, making Iceland a much cheaper country to visit, the local currency greatly lost value i many goods and services cost (in EUR) just a half comparing to the year 2007.
Requirements:
English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
SEEDS coordinators will have prepared few different topics on which the participants will base their entries to the competition; those topics will be mainly related to the work of SEEDS: Environment and intercultural understanding.Participants need to take their own digital cameras and its main work will be done walking or cycling all around the city and taking photographs on the issues given; the best pictures will be selected for a final exhibit. The last part of the project will be putting up the exhibition at one of the most visited galleries and venue for exhibits in the countryVolunteers shall be prepared for walking/cycling, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing). A session in the surroundings of Reykjavik will be organised as well.Volunteers additional work with the city of Reykjavik; will be focused on trying to keep the city and its public areas lively, attractive, interesting and charming for locals and guests. Tasks may involve painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and face-lifting the city after the winter. Additional work may be done at the SEEDS volunteers bases. Volunteers will be assisting and giving contributions to the future development of SEEDS volunteering activities.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, often called the nightlife capital of the north . But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavik also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.The world s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland s inhabitants live here. Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. March is the last month when you can see, with a piece of good luck, the Northern lights (Aurora Borealis) in Iceland. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavik, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
When preparing the museum we will move collection items into a storage house, tear down old houses, find reusable material for reconstruction of other houses and do some maintenance work on the future museum.The environmental work will consist of collecting drift wood on the beach, cleaning the coast line and the road sides, marking hiking paths, taking care of popular spots which need to be tendered after the busy summer season, when most of the travellers visit the area.The farming will offer us to get to know the Icelandic farm life by milking the cows, working in the stables and assist with the busy household tasks. We will be part of a family and work hand in hand with them. This is also a busy time in rural Iceland with assisting the sheep giving birth. We will participate in the birth-process during the day and will be offered to take turns in night-shifts watching over the sheep. The bright nights are magical with almost 24 hours of sunlight and staying awake with the sheep is a unique experience.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: We will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Other guests or travellers might be in the house at the same time as it is a guesthouse accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for travellers as the landscape offers diverse and breathtaking nature. Rivers and waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and long beaches form a contrast and offer a wide range of experiences. The project takes place in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland with 35 cattle, there of 8 milking cows, 330 sheep, hens, cat and a puppy so it gives us a good example of rural living in Iceland. Apart from traditional farming the inhabitants are building up a museum which will weave together history, culture and nature. The farm is on a flat area between Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Vik i Mirdal and has amazing view to sands, mountains and glaciers in the west and north and to the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Mirdalssandur is a sandy area about 700 km2 and its mythical appearance has been an inspiration both in traditional folklore and in modern lyrics and stories today.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.
The house where we will stay is run as a volunteer base and most of the maintenance and renovation is in the hands of volunteers. It is surrounded by a large garden and woodland area which needs to be taken care of. Tasks might include collecting dead plants and scrubs, preparing the vegetable garden for seeding and other general gardening work. The house itself also needs some maintenance: Scraping up old paint from the window frames, sandpaper them and paint them again and fixing the fence in front of the house is among the tasks for us.The project also includes supporting the Art Without Borders (AWB) 2011; an annual art festival in Iceland. It aims to promote the art of people with disabilities and to facilitate co-operation. Different parties work together on various art projects with great results. This has led to greater understanding between people for the greater good of the whole community. Due to the circumstances, most often the participants in the AWB will only need few volunteers to assist on each task, so we need to be prepared to work both as a group and also as couples. We might also assist in the city to keep the public areas lively, attractive, interesting and charming for both the locals and the guests of the city and participate in local events and happenings.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, often called the nightlife capital of the north . But there is more to Reykjavik than pubs and clubs. Reykjavik also gathers the most interesting of Icelandic culture. It is an incubator of new ideas and styles which often indicates new global trends. It is an International city with a lively Cosmopolitan cultural scene.The world s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland s inhabitants live here. Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. In April you can expect mild condition; although in Iceland it is always best to prepare for all kinds of weather. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavik, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
We will be working on various projects in this remote location in the Icelandic Western fjords. In general, we will be preparing the area before the summer season, when most tourists and hikers visit the district. The works may involve cleaning, painting, light construction work inside and in the surroundings of the camping area, but also planting vegetables or helping in horse stables. The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley. In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and possibly kayaking in the fjords.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing; sleeping in beds; bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the period of the camp. Food will be provided and a kitchen will be available; volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10 of the country s surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.The region is bounded by Breioafjorour in the south, with Gilsfjorour cutting into the land from the west and Bitrufjorour from the east, the two almost severing the ragged peninsula from the main mass of Iceland. The West Fjords are made up of safjaroar-, Baroastrandar-, and Strandir Counties.In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.The workcamp will take place in a valley covered with birch bushes in Mjoifjorour in safjaroardjup. The distances to the next town and villages are 130 km to safjorour and 90 km to Holmavik. Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option. Landline phone connection is available, and the place provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.
WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will perform diverse outdoors work consisting of:-Making, marking and maintaining walking paths, put up information signs for visitors.-Setting up fences to withhold cattle in the field and paint windows of the houses and stalls.-Planting trees in order to make a sheltered area and help around with the spring tasks in the garden and on the land.-Putting wood protection on timber constructed toilet facilities in a new outdoor and recreational area close to the glacier Flakajokull. All the projects undertaken will be for the benefits of the local society and the nature of the area.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Other guests or travellers might be in the house at the same time as it is a guesthouse accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities and please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: The project takes place in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland placed between the town Hofn in Hornarfjorour and the glacier lagoon Jokulsarlon where big icebergs float. Tourism has been a growing field in the area and the locals are meeting the new demands. By working under an environmental framework they get a yearly certificate from Green Globe. They focus on keeping the area clean and attractive; reduce waste of recourses and pollution by recycling, saving energy and using environmental friendly products. It is important that the nature and cultural heritage is protected and respected but at the same time accessible and interesting for visitors. The project aims at using local product and services as long as it fulfils quality standards. SEEDS volunteers are encouraged to bring in their own ideas on how to develop their environmental guidelines even further. The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for travellers as the landscape offers diverse and breathtaking nature. Rivers and waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and long beaches form a contrast and offer a wide range of experiences.The view is spectacular and the biggest national park in Europe with the largest glacier in Europe, Vatnajokull is only few kilometres away. The unique beauty of the nature, unpredictable weathers during winter and local culture have shaped the culture in the area.The Vatnajokull N.P., stretching from the south coast to the north coast of the island; it is the largest protected wilderness in Europe. It covers around 15.000 km2 (15 of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajokull glacier, the former Skaftafell N.P., Jokulsargljufur N.P. and surrounding area.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.
We will be working on various projects in this remote location in the Icelandic Western fjords. In general, we will be preparing the area before the summer season, when most tourists and hikers visit the district. The works may involve cleaning, painting, light construction work inside and in the surroundings of the camping area, but also planting vegetables or helping in horse stables. The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley. In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and possibly kayaking in the fjords.
Accomodation & food:
ACCOMMODATION: SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing; sleeping in beds; bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the period of the camp. Food will be provided and a kitchen will be available; volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
LOCATION: The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10 of the country s surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.The region is bounded by Breioafjorour in the south, with Gilsfjorour cutting into the land from the west and Bitrufjorour from the east, the two almost severing the ragged peninsula from the main mass of Iceland. The West Fjords are made up of safjaroar-, Baroastrandar-, and Strandir Counties.In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.The workcamp will take place in a valley covered with birch bushes in Mjoifjorour in safjaroardjup. The distances to the next town and villages are 130 km to safjorour and 90 km to Holmavik. Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option. Landline phone connection is available, and the place provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.LEISURE:SEEDS and/or the local hosts will organise spare time activities for the volunteers free of charge. Place of extreme beauty and isolation; natural surroundings with hot springs, free access to enjoy the hot tub and the local pool; possibility of horseback riding and kayaking in the fjords. Countless opportunities to discover by foot or to hike the surroundings of the valley.
Requirements:
LANGUAGE: English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.
We will also build shelter and fences for the animals and clean the coastline. The second week will combine different tasks within Reykjavik city which ensures daily diversity and various experiences for the volunteers. The activities for us will be focused on keeping Reykjavik and its public areas lively, attractive and charming for locals and visitors. Tasks may involve house painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and face-lifting the city. Other activities might involve us in one off SEEDS volunteer base. We might be assisting there as well and giving our contribution in the future development of SEEDS volunteering activities.
ACCOMMODATION:
We will stay within the reserve and will sleep in bunk beds in shared rooms. In Reykjavik we will sleep in a fully equipped local house in shared rooms. We need to bring our own sleeping bags. We will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available. Please bring some traditional food from your countries for the international evening.
LOCATION:
The heritage and nature conservation centre and its reserve are located in a very isolated area in the East of Iceland, far from any urban centre; we should be aware of the location remoteness and its extreme natural beauty and wildlife. There are no public transportation services to the closest town and entertainment alternatives are in connection with the gorgeous nature; walking and hiking journeys during the free time and the creativity of the group. This project is adequate for volunteers enjoying isolated places with splendid nature and looking for peaceful surroundings as the quietness of the area. The sea and High Mountains, reaching up to 600 meters in height, border the area. You can also discover waterfalls, snowfields and reindeer i all within walking distance of the house.The reserve is managed as a conservation site for environmental education and sustainable tourism; hosting a number of environmentally important flora and fauna including one of Iceland s largest colonies of Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), 600m sea cliffs hosting significant numbers of nesting sea birds (including Puffin, Kittiwake and Fulmar) and is home to the elusive arctic fox. Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, with a population of over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland s inhabitants live here. Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavik, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
EXTRAS:
Participation fee EUR 120,- (Euros).
Free time activities will include making cheese and ale, as well as enjoying the many things the exquisite nature offers us. Tours and excursions will be organised at discount prices, as well as free access to Reykjavik s seven geothermal pools.
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
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