Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "construction" projects in Iceland

SEEDS volunteers will have the chance to help build the surroundings of a brand new sustainable tourist association/cooperative and community based project with about 50 locals involved. The project is being built in and around an old boarding school that needs to be altered to fit the new purposes.
Volunteers will be changing the rooms in the boarding school, creating bedrooms, changing the indoor surroundings, building and maintaining walking paths, building a camping place in the area, preparing the camp site for the summer, building an outdoor education place for children to have camp fires and outdoor cooking facilities.
The project will host several groups of SEEDS volunteers this year and depending on the advance of the tasks, the groups will focus more on the projects that are being run at the moment.

SEEDS volunteers will be lodged in the boarding school, sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities during the project. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

Volunteers will stay in the North of Iceland in the municipality of Dalvíkurbyggð (population around 2000) and at the shores of Eyjafjörður, which is the longest fjord in Iceland. The fjord is long and narrow, it measures 60 km from mouth to bottom and its greatest width is 25 km at the fjord's mouth but for the greater part of its length it is usually 6 -10 km wide.
The fjord is surrounded by mountains on both sides, in the outer part of the fjord there are no lowlands along the coast as the steep hills roll directly into the sea. Further south in the fjord there are strips of lowland along both coasts; these are wider on the west side. The ferry Sæfari sails from Dalvík to the island of Grímsey, Iceland's northernmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle.
The area where SEEDS volunteers will be working and sleeping is an old boarding school located about 30 Kilometres from Dalvík, located in a large and densely populated valley (Svarfaðadalur) that lies between tall and sharp mountains. The majestic mountains that surround the area hold several small glaciers and a river runs through the valley from the mountains to the sea.
In the valley, there is a Nature reserve that volunteers will have the chance to visit and enjoy. This environment provides an excellent habitat for many species of birds. In April the migratory birds start to arrive for the summer breeding season. From the project base, there are footpaths that can be easily followed through part of the reserve, we advise to wear rubber boots as part is wetland.
The mountains offer great hiking options and the mountains of Tröllaskagi peninsula are by many viewed as the most spectacular outdoor activity in all Iceland.

English will be the language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

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.

Participation fee EUR 100 (Euros).
Volunteers have to good walking shoes and clothes, even though summer is coming, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.
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 have the chance to help build the surroundings of a brand new sustainable tourist association/cooperative and community based project with about 50 locals involved. The project is being built in and around an old boarding school that needs to be altered to fit the new purposes.
Volunteers will be changing the rooms in the boarding school, creating bedrooms, changing the indoor surroundings, building and maintaining walking paths, building a camping place in the area, preparing the camp site for the summer, building an outdoor education place for children to have camp fires and outdoor cooking facilities.
The project will host several groups of SEEDS volunteers this year and depending on the advance of the tasks, the groups will focus more on the projects that are being run at the moment.

SEEDS volunteers will be lodged in the boarding school, sleeping on a mattress on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities during the project. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

Volunteers will stay in the North of Iceland in the municipality of Dalvíkurbyggð (population around 2000) and at the shores of Eyjafjörður, which is the longest fjord in Iceland. The fjord is long and narrow, it measures 60 km from mouth to bottom and its greatest width is 25 km at the fjord's mouth but for the greater part of its length it is usually 6 -10 km wide.
The fjord is surrounded by mountains on both sides, in the outer part of the fjord there are no lowlands along the coast as the steep hills roll directly into the sea. Further south in the fjord there are strips of lowland along both coasts; these are wider on the west side. The ferry Sæfari sails from Dalvík to the island of Grímsey, Iceland’s northernmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle.
The area where SEEDS volunteers will be working and sleeping is an old boarding school located about 30 Kilometres from Dalvík, located in a large and densely populated valley (Svarfaðadalur) that lies between tall and sharp mountains. The majestic mountains that surround the area hold several small glaciers and a river runs through the valley from the mountains to the sea.
In the valley, there is a Nature reserve that volunteers will have the chance to visit and enjoy. This environment provides an excellent habitat for many species of birds. In April the migratory birds start to arrive for the summer breeding season. From the project base, there are footpaths that can be easily followed through part of the reserve, we advise to wear rubber boots as part is wetland.
The mountains offer great hiking options and the mountains of Tröllaskagi peninsula are by many viewed as the most spectacular outdoor activity in all Iceland.

English will be the language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

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.

Participation fee EUR 100 (Euros).
Volunteers have to good walking shoes and clothes, even though summer is coming, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.
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.

The works may involve cleaning, painting and construction work inside and in the surroundings of the camping area, but also planting vegetables or helping in horse stables. The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley. In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and possibly kayaking in the fjords.

SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing; sleeping in beds; bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the period of the camp. Food will be provided and a kitchen will be available; volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10 of the country's surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.The region is bounded by Breioafjorour in the south, with Gilsfjorour cutting into the land from the west and Bitrufjorour from the east, the two almost severing the ragged peninsula from the main mass of Iceland. The West Fjords are made up of safjaroar-, Baroastrandar-, and Strandir Counties. In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep. Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers. The workcamp will take place in a valley covered with birch bushes in Mjoifjorour in Safjaroardjup. The distances to the next town and villages are 130 km to Safjorour and 90 km to Holmavik. Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option. Landline phone connection is available, and the place provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

Participation fee EUR 140. The camp is located in a place of extreme beauty and isolation; natural surroundings with hot springs, free access to enjoy the hot tub and the local pool. Additional free time activities will be organized for SEEDS volunteers, like horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony.

English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

18-80

KEF: Keflavik Nas (Keflavik, Iceland)

The environmental work will consist of collecting drift wood on the beach, cleaning the coast line and the road sides, marking hiking paths, taking care of popular spots which need to be tendered before the busy summer season, when most of the travellers visit the area. Volunteers have to be motivated for easy to medium difficult hikes. We will work on maintaining an old stone sheep gathering corral and assist the reconstruction of turf houses, a potato storage hut and a shelter used to smoke meat and fish. We will have the chance to build, construct houses et other facilities in the way it was done in Iceland for centuries.The farming will offer us to get to know the Icelandic farm life by milking the cows, working in the stables and assist with the busy household tasks. We will be part of a family and work hand in hand with them. This is also a busy time in rural Iceland with assisting the sheep giving birth. We will participate in the birth-process during the day and will be offered to take turns in night-shifts watching over the sheep. The bright nights are magical with almost 24 hours of sunlight and staying awake with the sheep is a unique experience.

We will stay in shared rooms in a sleeping bag accommodation with access to kitchen and bathroom. Other guests or travellers might be in the house at the same time as it is a guesthouse accommodation. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The group will be responsible for cooking and cleaning activities. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The south of Iceland is one of the most popular destinations for travellers as the landscape offers diverse and breathtaking nature. Rivers and waterfalls, mountains, glaciers and long beaches form a contrast and offer a wide range of experiences. The project takes place in an active Icelandic farm in south Iceland with 35 cattle, there of 8 milking cows, 330 sheep, hens, cat and a puppy so it gives us a good example of rural living in Iceland. Apart from traditional farming the inhabitants are building up a museum which will weave together history, culture and nature. The farm is on a flat area between Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Vik i Mirdal and has amazing view to sands, mountains and glaciers in the west and north and to the Atlantic Ocean in the south. Mirdalssandur is a sandy area about 700 km2 and its mythical appearance has been an inspiration both in traditional folklore and in modern lyrics and stories today.

Participation fee EUR 140, (Euros). Volunteers should have a motivation for working with outdoors and getting to know ways of living in rural areas in Iceland. Countless opportunities to discover the area by foot or to hike the surroundings; area surrounded by stunning waterfalls, mighty glaciers and black sand beaches.

English will be the official language in the camp; high proficiency is not a requirement.

18-80

KEF: Keflavik Nas (Keflavik, Iceland)

The works may involve cleaning, painting and construction work inside and in the surroundings of the camping area, but also planting vegetables or helping in horse stables. The working plan will be very flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local hosts and the advance of the diverse projects in the area surrounding the valley. In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking, as you will be able to rest in the natural hot tubs, bathe in the local swimming pool and discover many other surprises of this beautiful place including horseback riding on the unique Icelandic horses and possibly kayaking in the fjords.

SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing; sleeping in beds; bringing a sleeping bag is not necessary for the period of the camp. Food will be provided and a kitchen will be available; volunteers will share the duties of helping in the kitchen and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The workcamp will take place in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10% of the country s surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills. The region is bounded by Breioafjorour in the south, with Gilsfjorour cutting into the land from the west and Bitrufjorour from the east, the two almost severing the ragged peninsula from the main mass of Iceland. The West Fjords are made up of safjaroar-, Baroastrandar-, and Strandir Counties. In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds, seals, whales and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep. Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.The workcamp will take place in a valley covered with birch bushes in Mjoifjorour in Safjaroardjup. The distances to the next town and villages are 130 km to Safjorour and 90 km to Holmavik. Hiking in this beautiful area is very impressive and an inspection of the coastline by walking or kayaking is an inspiring option. Landline phone connection is available, and the place provides a full variety of opportunities for volunteers and visitors.

Participation fee EUR 160. (Euros).The camp is located in a place of extreme beauty and isolation; natural surroundings with hot springs, free access to enjoy the hot tub and the local pool. Additional free time activities will be organized for SEEDS volunteers, like horseback riding and kayaking around a seal colony.

English will be the official language in the camp, high proficiency is not required.

18-80

KEF: Keflavik Nas (Keflavik, Iceland)

SEEDS volunteers will be working on various environmental and construction tasks based in two local farms in the West of Iceland. The tasks are indoors and outdoors and will give volunteers a chance to experience how life in Icelandic farms work.
Volunteers will be beautifying the area by clearing old fences of the land, fixing fences and cleaning up the land.
There will be an opportunity to do regular farm work such as milking cows, helping the sheep deliver their lambs or observe if preferred, and herding the animals on the farm.
Other projects will be painting if weather permits and planting trees and garden works in the area.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house in the farm; volunteers will be provided with bed linens and sheets at the farm.
Volunteers will stay in shared accommodation. Even if the volunteers are provided with bed linens at the farm we kindly as the volunteers to bring their own sleeping bags.
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.

The work camp is located in the valley of Haukadalur, which is the home valley of Eric the Red, discoverer and settler of Greenland. Eiríksstaðir is the birthplace of his son Leif Eriksson (Leif the Lucky), who became the first European to set foot in North America. He named the country Vínland or Wineland in the year 1000.
The valley and the farm is located in Dalabyggð, a municipality formed in 1994 when 8 municipalities were merged into one. In 2012 the population of Dalabyggð is 686 and it has been experiencing slight population decline over the past five years. Therefore the area which is 2.421 km² only has 0.2% of the population of Iceland.
The municipality is known for the country’s most fertile and best rivers for salmon and trout fishing, as well as plenty of fresh water lakes for fishing freshwater trout.
The serenity and extraordinary beauty of the area which is located in the western part of Iceland attracts many visitors who come to enjoy nature in calm and quiet area. Dalabyggð is popular with hikers who can choose from many different paths and routes ranging from easy to very challenging and difficult.
Dalabyggð is not only famous for fishing and hiking, it has been mentioned in many of the Sagas and was the setting in two of very famous Viking sagas from the 850 to 1300. Two of Iceland’s most famous poets also lived in Dalabyggð, therefore the place is ideal for history savvy volunteers.
The project location is about 150 kilometre drive from Reykjavík through the “whale tunnel”.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Closest bus station: Central Reykjavík bus station (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.

Participation fee EUR 100 (Euros).
SEEDS and/or our local hosts will organise leisure activities for the group of volunteers and will include hiking and local excursions.

24+

SEEDS volunteers will be doing mainly environmental work in this work camp. The work is mostly outdoors and volunteers will have to be willing to work outdoors. The projects are clearing up old fences in the country side, collecting old steel and iron in the land that will either be removed or cleaned for other purposes. Volunteers will also help in cleaning out an old barn that will be bulldozed after it has been stripped of all its valuables.
Other possible projects during the work camp will be planting trees and beautifying the area.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a farm house with 5 bedrooms in shared accommodations. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and will cook together with the host. We will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The workcamp will take place in the municipality Ísafjarðarbær, in the Westfjords at the north-western part of Iceland. The region accounts for 10% of the country’s surface but only about 7200 people live there, so it is one of the least populated areas of Europe. The Westfjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.
Districts on the West Fjords have been merging recently in order to strengthen their administrative capabilities. The largest and most populous is Ísafjarðarbær with a population of 3800 in total.
In the Westfjords you will be able to explore the whole range of Icelandic flora from the shore and meadows, through birch to mossy moors. On the shore, one can see birds and seals and then an occasional arctic fox around the sheep.
Fishing is traditionally the main industry in the region but tourism started to be more and more important as local and foreign visitors are discovering this region in rising numbers.
The farm-house/base of the project is very close to Flateyri which is a small and friendly fishing village by Önundarfjörður, located about 500 Km away from Reykjavík and with 260 inhabitants.
Flateyri has been a trading post for over two centuries and a whaling station operated there until it burned down in 1901. In the old days Flateyri was the local harbour for shark fishermen but today fish processing and fishing is the main trade. During the last years; due to the introduction of the quota system in the Icelandic fishing sector, the town lost part of its share in the fishing amounts to be caught, which strongly hit the economy and living situation in the area. In the past years the emphasis on alternative industries has been more visible similar to other fishing villages in Iceland.
Flateyri is surrounded by spectacular mountains and above the village is Eyrarfjall which caused a devastating avalanche in 1995; defensive walls were then constructed, which tower over the town.
In Flateyri there is a swimming pool, kayak rental and a beautiful sandy beach that hosts a sandcastle building competition each summer. Many small boats are equipped and run from Flateyri, characterising the village, especially during the summer.

English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.

Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).

Participation fee EUR 150 (Euros).
SEEDS and/or our local hosts will organise leisure time activities for SEEDS volunteers, these may include hikes, access to the swimming pool in Flateyri, kayaks and boat fishing.
Place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

SEEDS volunteers have been assisting this project for some years now and our main tasks will be reforestation and soil erosion prevention; we will assist in preparing vegetable gardens, care for pigs, hens, ducks, a cow and a horse i all being a part of the areas sustainability. These projects may also include traditional food and drink preparation, like smoking, curing, cheese making and even ale brewing. A new task for us will be collecting down from the eider ducks and making bird habitats. Our host is planning to build a barn and we will assist him with that. We might also build shelter and fences for the animals and clean the coastline.

We will stay within the reserve and will sleep in bunk beds in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bags.We will receive food and be in charge of the different cooking and cleaning activities. Equipped kitchen and washing machine are available. Please bring some traditional food from your countries for the international evening.

The heritage and nature conservation centre and its reserve are located in a very isolated area in the East of Iceland, far from any urban centre. We have to be aware of the location remoteness, as its extreme natural beauty and wildlife. There are no public transportation services to the closest town and entertainment alternatives are in connection with the gorgeous nature; walking and hiking journeys during the free time and the creativity of the group. This project is adequate for volunteers enjoying isolated places with splendid nature and looking for peaceful surroundings as the quietness of the area. The sea and High Mountains, reaching up to 600 meters in height, border the area. You can also discover waterfalls, snowfields and reindeers, all within walking distance of the house. The reserve is managed as a conservation site for environmental education and sustainable tourism; hosting a number of environmentally important flora and fauna including one of Iceland s largest colonies of Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), 600m sea cliffs hosting numbers of nesting sea birds (incl. Puffin, Kittiwake and Fulmar), herds of reindeer and it is home to the elusive arctic fox. Some other bird species include Black-tailed Godwit, Red-necked Phalarope, Golden Plover, Merlin and you may even be lucky enough to observe Europe s largest falcon the Gyr Falcon. The heritage site is very popular and over last summer the visitors included university students, environmental volunteers, professionals in nature, heritage, academia, food production and arts, hundreds of tourists and a pagan priest to mention but a few.

Participation fee EUR 140,- (Euros). Free time activities will include making cheese and ale, as well as enjoying the many things the exquisite nature offers us. Remote places located in natural reserve areas of extreme beauty. The group will have the opportunity to learn about the environment and culture of Iceland through working on the reserve.

English will be the language of the camp; high proficiency is not required.

18-80

KEF: Keflavik Nas (Keflavik, Iceland)