This is the fifth year that SEEDS organizes series of International Photo marathons! Last years’ were very successful and we want to continue organising this project! One of our objectives is to deliver messages and draw the attention to the local population through pictures and photos made during the camp! The main idea and task of the project is involvement and participation of the volunteers in the SEEDS Photo Marathon.
SEEDS coordinators will prepare different topics on which the participants will base their entries; those topics will be mostly related to SEEDS work:
Environment and intercultural understanding. Participants need to take their own digital cameras and its main work will be done 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. Volunteers shall be prepared for walking/cycling, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing). Volunteer work will be done at the new SEEDS volunteers’ base located in the outskirts of Reykjavík. We will be assisting and giving contributions to the future development of SEEDS volunteering activities. We will help with setting up the centre, working in the garden, cleaning and painting the house where needed. Volunteers may work with the city of Reykjavík; trying to keep the city and its public areas lively. Tasks may involve painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and face-lifting the city.
ACCOMMODATION:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house at Úlfarsfell in the outskirts of Reykjavík; in shared 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:
The project will take place in the outskirts of Reykjavík, in the hills of Mountain of Wolfs (Úlfarsfell). The location is far enough from the city to be able to enjoy the quality of the country life, pure air, nature and tranquillity, but close enough to be able to visit the capital during the project. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík 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. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavík, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland’s inhabitants live here.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
TERMINAL:
International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). Volunteers have to bring warm clothes, part of the project takes place outside and it can be cold. Tours and excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares. It is a great opportunity to experience the long sunny nights as there are almost 24 hours of light even if the sun sets but only for shorts periods of time.
SEEDS volunteers will have an opportunity to work in the West Fjords of the country doing various tasks preparing for a village fair and helping during the fair itself. The festival wants to promote the local History and Culture, so this project is very good for volunteers interested in these aspects in a remote isolated area of the country. Tasks will include helping with the village festivities by preparing for evening shows and entertainment during the festival, beautifying the area before the fair as well as cleaning up after the festival itself.
ACCOMMODATION:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a dorm sharing rooms 2 and 2 together. The dorms have sinks in the room but toilet and shower facilities are shared. Volunteers will be sleeping in beds but are asked to bring their own sleeping bag. Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking, cleaning activities and will divide the tasks among themselves. The food will partly be from the surrounding area giving volunteers a chance to try the local fare and experience with local ingredients. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home for the international evening.
LOCATION:
Volunteers will stay in the West fjords of Iceland, in the municipality of Reykhólahreppur, which is located about 250 kilometres from Reykjavík. The municipality is located south in the West fjords. In 2012 the population of Reykhólahreppur was around 271 inhabitants, this is not a typo, making it the 60th most populous municipality in Iceland. The area boasts of beautiful landscape which catches the eye of everyone who travels through. It is a great place to stop and enjoy nature, go for hikes and for bird watching. The village gives a unique and beautiful view of the Breiðafjörður Bay. Geothermal heat can be found in the area, one of the few areas in the West fjords which have geothermal heat, and in the olden days it was used to grow corn. The only Algae factory in Iceland is located in Reykhólahreppur and it is environmentally friendly, algae growth at the inshore of Breiðafjörður is harvested and then the geothermal heat is used to dry the algae. Economically, the town is quite different from many other of the Westfjord communities. It is not a fishing village, due in large to the shallow waters of the eastern end of Breiðafjörður. Historically, however, it has made its way over the years through the harvest of natural resources. In the past this has included the harvesting of seals and birds, the history of which is documented in the Gifts of Nature Museum located adjacent to the tourist information center. This is quite a historic place which is mentioned in many Viking Sagas especially the one of Grettir the strong or Grettissaga. The local swimming pool is named after him and is called Grettislaug. The distance is around 240 kilometres from Ísafjörður and 350 from Akureyri.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language in the camp; high proficiency is not required.
TERMINAL:
Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus, Central Bus Station (BSÍ). SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp and vice-versa, which apart from being cheaper and more convenient, allows volunteers to meet and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Free time activities will be organized for SEEDS volunteers by the host. SEEDS volunteers will get the chance to participate in the town fair, have a guided visit to the boat exhibition, go swimming, entrance to the “Gifts of Nature” museum and other leisure activities during their stay.
SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity in this camp to get to know and explore the traditional Icelandic dairy and vegetable/carrots farming. Our host cultivates carrots, has cows and runs a tourist accommodation. Our main tasks in this project will consist in harvesting the carrots. We will be involved in preparing for the harvest; collecting plastic covers from the garden beds, harvesting the carrots, cleaning and wrapping them up and getting everything ready for the market. Some work might as well be awaiting us in the stalls, such as milking the cows or tending to them in general.
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 is available. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.
LOCATION:
The farm is located in the South of Iceland, a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and glaciers to the north and facing the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The inhabitants here live in constant threat of volcanic eruptions and the area was hit during the recent eruptions in Eyjafjallajökull 2010 and Vatnajökull 2011, as it got all covered by ashes, but the natives here are strong minded and ‘folded up their sleeves’ as the Icelanders express it and proved the common believe that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Vík, the closest town, is Iceland's most southerly village. 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 rolling Atlantic waves. The district lives mainly by agriculture. Although this community of 600 inhabitants faces the open Atlantic, Vík is the only seaside settlement in Iceland left without a harbour due to natural circumstances. Among the many aspects of Vík that make it attractive are the sea-and-land trips and trips on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier to list a few. The natural beauty of the area is spectacular. Just east of the village's outskirts lies one of Europe's biggest arctic tern breeding grounds. South of Vík is a beautiful beach, which the international Magazines named one of the world's ten best island beaches in 1991. A short hike within the close vicinity of Vík is sure to satisfy all serious nature lovers and bird watchers. Vík and its surroundings is one of the main bird life areas in Iceland. This camp takes place in mid July when the nights are still bright in Iceland. The bright nights are magical with almost 24 hours of sunlight and staying awake enjoying the peaceful and beautiful surroundings is a unique experience.
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:
Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors. SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area for the volunteers. This might include sight-seeing, hiking etc. The camp is located in a place of extreme beautiful surroundings with countless opportunities to discover them by foot or hiking; area surrounded by stunning mountains, glaciers and rivers.
SEEDS volunteers will be doing general garden work in the garden, attending the flowers, trees and other plants. Volunteers will assist in organising and carrying out special events that might be planned with a short notice but they will all be related to the general aim and work of the garden. The project starts early every week day, working hours are from 7:30 - 15:05, so volunteers have to be motivated to work early in the morning.
Accomodation & food:
We will stay in a fully equipped house in Reykjavik; sleeping in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag (and pillow if you need one). Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available in the accommodation. We will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals, while lunch will be provided sometimes at the working site during working days. Please do not forget some typical food and/or drinks for the international evening, where others can try and taste some specialities from your home countries.
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. It is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with beautiful nature, using renewable energy sources - geothermal power and glacial rivers. Visitors to Reykjavik experience easily the pure energy at the heart of Iceland's capital city - whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. 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. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the summer, you can sit by the harbour at midnight and watch the sun dip slightly below the horizon before it makes its way up again.
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 200,- (Euros). Volunteers have to good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary. Tours and excursions will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.
We will be working at the archaeological site Skriouklaustur (e. The monastery at Skrioa), the project started in 2002 and its aim is to investigate, through an archaeological excavation, the monastery that operated on the farmstead Skrioa in Fljotsdalur Valley, East Iceland, during the period from 1493 to the Reformation in 1550. Our tasks in this project will mainly be connected with taking care of the land around the monastery and include renovation and restoration of its ruins. We will be beautifying the area, constructing stone walls and laying sod. Other tasks might include making and fixing walking paths, gardening works nearby the monastery and the place where we will be accommodated.The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and of course on the weather conditions.
Accomodation & food:
We will be lodged in a building located approximately 5 km from our working site (monastery excavations), equipped with kitchen and living room. A sleeping bag is needed.We will have breakfast and dinner at the accommodation; while lunch will be served at the cafe in Skriouklaustur on working days. The kitchen will be available for us to cater ourselves on weekends. Food ingredients will be provided; we will share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. Please do not forget some traditional food from your home country for the international evening.
Location & leisure:
We will work in Skriouklaustur at Fljotsdalur, located 40 km from the biggest town in the East of Iceland, Egilsstaoir (pop. 2,300) and about 650 km from Reykjavik. It is part of Fljotsdalsherao, (pop. of 3.700) at 8.884 km is the largest Icelandic municipality. The monastery at Skrioa, named Skriouklaustur, was the youngest of the seven monasteries and two nunneries in operation in Iceland during the medieval period, but within a short time, it became one of the richest. It is thought that this increase in material wealth was due to Skriouklaustur having been the only monastery in East Iceland. Nowadays, Skriouklaustur has a local centre of culture and history. The house was built in 1939 and is one of Iceland s most important buildings. There is a museum about the writer Gunnar Gunnarsson in the house. It is also a residence for artists, writers and scholars, both Icelandic and foreign. At Skriouklaustur there are as well exhibitions available for visitors and many events organised concerning local culture and the nature of East Iceland. The ruins of the 16th century monastery with archaeological excavation are located nearby.The East Fjords is a region of a special landscape, dominated by long, narrow fjords and steep mountains. This is one of the oldest regions of Iceland shaped by glaciers in the Ice Age. The biggest forest in Iceland and also wild reindeers are found in Fljotsdalur.
Requirements:
SPECIAL REMARKS / EXTRAS: Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros).SEEDS and the local host will organise several free-time activities to explore and discover the area as: excursions, horse-back riding or fishing for trout or a highland trip/mountain hike.LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.
The group will take turns wearing a whale costume and walk around downtown Reykjavik. One part of our project is also to let pedestrians try on the costume and take pictures. This project is fun loving, friendly and peaceful. We encourage each volunteer to come prepared with some ideas of awareness rising for this project, to discuss with the group and implement.The purpose of this project 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 and do not intend to do so. In a survey made by Gallup in 2007, 86% of those asked had not purchased whale meat in the last 12 months; however 67% where in favour of commercial whaling. This seems obscure, but explanations can be found in the nation s heritage. In Iceland we have the saying Hvalreki or Beached-Whale meaning Jack-pot . When a whale beached, the whole community had food for long time, and had indeed hit the jack-pot. Later Icelanders started whaling for the oil, that at one time was used for lighting street-lamps in cities such as Paris. This created work and foreign currency and improved life in the country at that time. Iceland was one of the first countries 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.
Accomodation & food:
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:
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 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 in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.
This is the fifth year that SEEDS organizes series of International Photo marathons! Last years’ were very successful and we want to continue organising this project! One of our objectives is to deliver messages and draw the attention to the local population through pictures and photos made during the camp! The main idea and task of the project is involvement and participation of the volunteers in the SEEDS Photo Marathon.
SEEDS coordinators will prepare different topics on which the participants will base their entries; those topics will be mostly related to SEEDS work:
Environment and intercultural understanding. Participants need to take their own digital cameras and its main work will be done 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. Volunteers shall be prepared for walking/cycling, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing). Volunteer work will be done at the new SEEDS volunteers’ base located in the outskirts of Reykjavík. We will be assisting and giving contributions to the future development of SEEDS volunteering activities. We will help with setting up the centre, working in the garden, cleaning and painting the house where needed. Volunteers may work with the city of Reykjavík; trying to keep the city and its public areas lively. Tasks may involve painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and face-lifting the city.
ACCOMMODATION:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house at Úlfarsfell in the outskirts of Reykjavík; in shared 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:
The project will take place in the outskirts of Reykjavík, in the hills of Mountain of Wolfs (Úlfarsfell). The location is far enough from the city to be able to enjoy the quality of the country life, pure air, nature and tranquillity, but close enough to be able to visit the capital during the project. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík 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. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavík, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland’s inhabitants live here.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
TERMINAL:
International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). Volunteers have to bring warm clothes, part of the project takes place outside and it can be cold. Tours and excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares.
This is the fifth year that SEEDS organizes series of International Photo marathons! Last years’ were very successful and we want to continue organising this project! One of our objectives is to deliver messages and draw the attention to the local population through pictures and photos made during the camp! The main idea and task of the project is involvement and participation of the volunteers in the SEEDS Photo Marathon.
SEEDS coordinators will prepare different topics on which the participants will base their entries; those topics will be mostly related to SEEDS work:
Environment and intercultural understanding. Participants need to take their own digital cameras and its main work will be done 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. Volunteers shall be prepared for walking/cycling, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing). Volunteer work will be done at the new SEEDS volunteers’ base located in the outskirts of Reykjavík. We will be assisting and giving contributions to the future development of SEEDS volunteering activities. We will help with setting up the centre, working in the garden, cleaning and painting the house where needed. Volunteers may work with the city of Reykjavík; trying to keep the city and its public areas lively. Tasks may involve painting to cover graffiti tags, tiding up public spaces and face-lifting the city.
ACCOMMODATION:
SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house at Úlfarsfell in the outskirts of Reykjavík; in shared 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:
The project will take place in the outskirts of Reykjavík, in the hills of Mountain of Wolfs (Úlfarsfell). The location is far enough from the city to be able to enjoy the quality of the country life, pure air, nature and tranquillity, but close enough to be able to visit the capital during the project. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland, often called “the nightlife capital of the north”. But there is more to Reykjavík than pubs and clubs. Reykjavík 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. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean on almost all sides. In the area closer than 100 Km from Reykjavík, there are several spectacular waterfalls, geysers, impressive coastline and the well-known geothermal Blue Lagoon spa to visit. The population of the city is over 200,000 including the metropolitan area, so two thirds of Iceland’s inhabitants live here.
LANGUAGE:
English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.
TERMINAL:
International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS:
Participation fee EUR 250 (Euros). Volunteers have to bring warm clothes, part of the project takes place outside and it can be cold. Tours and excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares.
« The outside world did not interfere, because it seemed so distant, and so we spent our spare time getting to know each other and learning about each other countries', languages and cultures. Everyone was completely relaxed. This simply would not have been possible on any other type of holiday. VAP enabled me to have a truly memorable experience. »
