Project Location: During this workcamp the volunteers will travel around Iceland to discover different parts of the island.
The group will mainly stay in three regions of Iceland – Capital area in the south, North East and East. During the camp we will drive over 1.700 km in a circle around the whole island. During the travel we will also have a chance to visit some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Some of these are 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.
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 centre elsewhere in the world.
Fjarðabyggð is an association of different communities in the eastern fjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjörður, Fáskrúðsfjörður, Mjóifjörður, Neskaupstaður, Reyðarfjörður and Stöðvarfjörður, all tiny fishing villages with steep mountains towering just behind the houses. This area showcases some of features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife, and countless breath taking hiking paths.
Work: During the workcamp participants will take part in the production of a video documentary which will be focused on volunteering in Iceland and life in rural areas. It will be a mix of landscape shots and interviews of volunteers and local people in order to find out how they feel about living there and what they think about international volunteers coming to their area. We will visit several workcamps during the in the East and South of Iceland WF Iceland will provide Go-pro camera and a laptop but participants should bring their laptops and cameras for the project.
Keep in mind that video documentary will be filmed during the first 10 days and in the end of the camp we will start editing.
This work camp is a way to enjoy an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while they are exploring creativity, volunteering, environmental issues and intercultural learning.
Leisure: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermally-heated swimming pools in the East of Iceland. 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.
Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in the WF houses in different parts of Iceland and for one or two nights the group will stay in tents. 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. 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!
Language: An intermediate knowledge of English is required for this workcamp.
Terminal: Flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), just south of Reykjavik, Iceland
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of EUR 400– This fee covers also the transportation and extra accommodation costs of a full trip around Iceland, a total driving distance of nearly 1.500 km over several days. This travel required in order to effectively carry out the study/visit program of the workcamp.