Project and location:
In Reykjavik you can easily feel the pure energy at the heart of Iceland‘s capital city - whether it springs from the underground boiling thermal energy or radiates from the green scenery surrounding the city. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, space, clean air, nature, culture - and Reykjavik has them in spades. Reykjavik offers both the features of a modern and innovative society and the marvellous traits of a unique natural landscape.
The population of the Reykjavik Area is about 200,000. Reykjavik is spread across a peninsula offering a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean from nearly every part of the city. 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.
The world’s northernmost capital is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja, which keeps a watchful eye on the city, and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay. On a sunny day, the mystical Snaefellsjokull glacier towers over the western horizon, while mountainous moonscapes spread to the southeast.
Work: Every year WF Iceland is hosting hundreds of international volunteers participating in projects all round the island. WF Iceland publishes a magazine called UNA where people can read about the life of the organization and nowadays life in Reykjavik.
In the beginning of the project volunteers will receive an introduction about the tasks - afterwards we will choose a topic for the newsletter. This is a great opportunity to step into different projects and to get to know Reykjavik in a better way. The group will take photos and make videos and interviews with volunteers, local hosts and people living in the area. The outcome will be published in the UNA WF magazine.
At the end of the project we will prepare the final version of the magazine and publish it online.
Leisure: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermally-heated swimming pools in Reykjavik. Traditionally, natural pools have played an important social role in Icelandic culture. Most Icelandic pools offer indoor and outdoor swimming, as well as hot tubs and saunas or steam rooms.
On weekends, the central location of the accommodations is ideal for enjoying Reykjavik‘s amazing nightlife, which is world-renowned for its wide array of bars, clubs, and concerts.
WF Iceland will also organise reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysirs, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.
Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in one of several shared houses offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities in the heart of historical downtown Reykjavik. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but mattresses and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge, and volunteers also have free access to shared desktop computers in communal areas. The accommodation provided by Worldwide Friends Iceland for volunteers in Reykjavik is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including: banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theaters, shops, museums, and bus stations.
Food is included for the duration of the workcamp, however everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favourite recipes from home!
Requirements: Volunteers with good computer skills, interested in journalism and/or photographing are very much welcome to this camp.
Terminal: International Airport Reykjavík - Keflavík (KEF)
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of 200€ for this workcamp.