Project and location:
Scoured by Ice Age glaciers, the dramatic east coast boasts long, narrow fjords with steep sides and jagged peaks which contrast with inland fertile farmlands. Natural harbours mean picture-postcard fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful sweeping views.
“Fjarðabyggð" is an association of villages 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. In this area you will see some of the features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with a rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife, and countless breathtaking hiking paths. You will explore the area during your stay in the east. The camp will take place in Stöðvarfjörður and the area around it. The settlement in stöðvarfjörður started about 100 years ago along the fjord of the same name. The fjord is short and open to easterly weather. Rare rocks and minerals have been found in the vicinity, and Petra Sveinsdóttir has specimens on display. Stöðvarfjörður has a thriving artistic life, and one of the most excellent centres for graphic arts in the country
Work: The purpose of this camp is to use the resources that Mother Earth has to offer. We will work with a group of Icelandic young people which are very much focused on this topic. We will grow vegetables, collect herbs, berries, seaweed among other things and also go fishing from time to time. We will also work with the art centre in Stöðvarfjörður which used to be the local fish factory. Other possible tasks will be planting trees, build hiking paths and etc.
Our work will also depend on weather conditions and that’s why we have to be flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though, hope- fully, it will be nice most of the time. This is a perfect camp for creative people who like outdoor work and physical challenges
Leisure time: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermally-heated swimming pools in the area. 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. 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 lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges or steam-vents.
Accommodation and food:
We will have an access to a fully equipped house in Fjarðabyggð but we will also stay a part of the camp in a “Yurt” that we will build and maintain during the camp. The food will be supplied for the duration of the work camp and everyone is expected to do his/her fair part of the cooking/cleaning. It would be nice to try new and different dishes, so please remember to bring along recipes from your own countries.
Language: The language of this camp is English.
Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík. The closest national airport to the camp site is Egilsstaðir airport which is 40 km away from the project’s site.
Flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), just south of Reykjavik. WF Iceland will offer a minibus trip from Reykjavik to Eskifjörður for a fair price (150 € for the round trip which is almost 1.400 km in total). On the way to the camp we will go through the South to the East of the island. After the camp we will go through the North and west to Reykjavik. This trip includes unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava fields, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.
rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs. If you join our minibus both ways than you will go all around the island.
Additional Information: There is an extra participation fee of 200,- Euro for this workcamp.