Project and location: Reykjavik is a city full of energy, just waiting for you to experience it. Powered by heat from the earth below, with ever-changing weather sweeping across the landscape, its natural features are matched by the energy of its residents. Think of the qualities of a great city - fun, culture, nature, clean air - and Reykjavik has them in spades. All the advantages of a modern, forward-looking society are complemented by the beautiful natural setting. In a country of only just over 300,000 people, the Reykjavik Capital Area has a population of about 200,000. However, since it’s the only major city in the country, Reykjavik has a lot of the amenities that you would only expect to find in a much larger center elsewhere in the world.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and is centred on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Come at the right time of year, and in favourable conditions you will see the city’s skyline silhouetted against the glowing, shimmering curtain of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. Reykjavik is framed by the majestic Mt. Esja and the blue waters of Faxafloi Bay to the north, while rugged lava-fields spread to the southeast. On a clear sunny day, the Snaefellsjokull glacier glitters on the western horizon like a crystal.
In this time of the year when conditions are favourable you can see the Northern lights (Aurora borealis) glowing curtain of greenish yellow lights, dancing in the distance to a spectacular, multicoloured fusion stretching across the sky.
Work: We will live together and create a cozy atmosphere in the House of the Hill, by putting up lights and Christmas decorations. The main idea of this camp is to celebrate Christmas together and to promote peace and friendship among the group trough intercultural learning and exchange. We will create a Christmas postcard together which will be send to all our partners around the world. The House of the Hill is isolated from the city capital but in the same time well connected by public bus (about 30 min). It is small but cozy house. We have chicken house so volunteers will have to take care of them during the work camp. Cook and live together and enjoy a snowy time in Iceland. We will learn Christmas songs from all over the world from each other and if weather is good enough we will sing in the streets of Reykjavik and other public places in town as a sign of peace and multiculturalism. For New Year’s Eve we will organize a little party for the volunteers and we will enjoy Reykjavik´s spectacular fireworks in front of the cathedral. We will also arrange a visit to the ‘Imagine” Peace Tower’ which was designed by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon. The tower is made-up of 15 large searchlights surrounded by a number of prisms that act like mirrors, reflecting the light vertically into the sky, usually reaching an altitude of at least 4000 meters. Over half a million written wishes that people from all over the world have sent to Yoko Ono as part of her ‘Wish Trees’ project are buried underneath the tower.
Leisure: 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, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents or even icebergs.
Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in our house in Sveinsstadir which is located in the outskirt of Reykjavik. This place is like a farm in the city so you can enjoy pure nature and at the same time the city life of the capital. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but beds/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.
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 ffavorites recipes from home!
Language: Basic English is required.
Terminal/Region: Reykjavík - Keflavík.
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of EUR 250 for this workcamp.