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

SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to work in a unique place of great heritage and historical value to Iceland. SEEDS has been working with the municipality since 2010, we will be working in the north of Iceland in a place full of historical heritage for the nation, with a lot of archaeological findings from the middle ages.
The main work for volunteers will be the construction and maintenance of trails around the archaeological site. Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve their safety.
Work will be physically demanding and involves having a good condition.
Tasks will be diverse, therefore flexibility and open-mind is expected. The work is to be planned with the person in site, on charge of the area and SEEDS coordinator depending on the needs and weather conditions; we may work on shifts.
There may be some additional projects around, as to take down old fences that are no longer serving their purpose and might be a danger hazard.

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.

The workcamp will take place in the north of Iceland, close to the biggest community there, Akureyri on the shore of Eyjafjörður, which is the longest fjords in the country and is surrounded by mountains reaching up to1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0˚C.
North Iceland is an expansive, enchanting region, where you can find all of Iceland's attractive aspects, culture and a flourishing society, endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor recreation, picturesque nature in all directions, and more natural sights than almost anywhere else.

You will not find another place in Iceland with so many antiquities from a trading post from the middle ages. This was one the main trading post in northern Iceland and is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. Archaeological digging in the area during the last six years has shown that it was a trading post up to the 16th century, possibly until trading started in Akureyri.

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 200 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors in physically demanding jobs and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks in the project.
Bring warm clothes, hats, gloves & scarves as the project takes place outside.
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, fjords and rivers.

SEEDS volunteers will be working in this project in the area of Hvalfjörður (the fjord of the Whales) in the South-west of Iceland.
We will be working on building a new walking path along the road through a valley. The path itself will be made with machines but the volunteers will have to level the path, sow grass along the path, move some trees that might be in the way and probably put a topcoat on the path.
Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve their safety.
Tasks will be diverse, therefore flexibility and open-mind is expected. The work is to be planned with the person in site, on charge of the area and SEEDS coordinator depending on the needs and weather conditions; we may work on shifts.
There may be some additional projects around, as to take down old fences that are no longer serving their purpose and might be a danger hazard.
Work will be physically demanding and involves having a good condition.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in sleeping bag accommodation, sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will be provided with food and be in charge of preparing and cooking meals as well as cleaning activities.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The work camp takes place about 80 Kilometres from the capital; deep inside Hvalfjörður. The valley is extremely beautiful, with many plants and trees. There are many small canyons, streams and waterfalls and it is a popular place for hikers to visit.
Hvalfjörður lies north of Reykjavík and Mosfellslbær and is the longest fjord in the south-west of Iceland, cutting 30kms deep into the land along a north-east/south-west axis and curling to the east at its head. Before the Hvalfjarðargöng tunnel was opened in 1998 and the main ring-road rerouted underneath the fjord, all traffic heading north or west to and from Reykjavík had to follow the fjord all the way around -a drive of an hour or two.
The volume of traffic on the road now -which at times is cut into the steep edges of the mountain-sides rising straight out of the fjord - must be a tiny fraction of what it was, and the fjord as a whole now has a quiet but powerful feel.

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 200 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be ready to work in physically demanding jobs and be willing to take part in the diverse tasks. Bring warm clothes, hats and gloves as the project takes place outside.
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, fjords and rivers.
Excursions (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon or South Shore) will be organised at discount fares for SEEDS volunteers.

SEEDS and our volunteers will be working again with the City of Reykjavík in the main Skiing area in the capital region of Iceland, Bláfjöll or the Blue Mountains
The main tasks in the project will be maintaining the slopes and preparing them for the next ski season. The city and few sports associations run lodges there and they might also need some renovation job, such as painting and/or cleaning.
The working plan is flexible and it will depend on the needs of our local host. Volunteers need motivation to work mainly outdoors on physical jobs and under changeable weather conditions.

SEEDS volunteers will stay in a fully equipped house; in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and be in charge of the cooking and cleaning activities.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The project takes place in the Blue Mountain Range area. The Bláfjöll volcanic range is located about 30 minutes drive from Reykjavík., its highest mountain reaches 600m and therefore since 1968 the region became a very popular skiing area among Icelanders and the favourite for skiers in the Capital area.
A side road passes through The Blue Mountain Area, which was declared a nature reserve in 1973. Its area is divided between the municipalities Keflavik, Hafnarfiordur, Kopavogur, Selvogur, Seltjarnarnes, and Reykjavik.
The district demonstrates some of the best natural country sides in Iceland. Outdoor activities taking place in the area include hiking, mountain biking and alpine and cross country skiing.
Iceland is chilly, even in summer. Expect nights to dip down to 10 Celsius and days to warm up to the mid-high teens Celsius and warmer. In mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically.
During summer the nights are bright in all of Iceland. In the month of June the sun never fully sets in the north. Participants need to be prepared for a wide range of weather.
The Blue Mountain Range area is a place of extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike and discover it by foot.

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

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 you to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros).
In Bláfjöll, volunteers will be given an extraordinary opportunity to explore a hidden world beneath ours in an amazing trip to the underworld! Beneath the lava field in the area the volcanic eruptions have left behind caves with magical rock formations. Exploring the dark and hidden lava tubes is a great addition to your volunteer adventure and a perfect way to see how Iceland was created.
Tours and excursions will be arranged for SEEDS volunteers at discount fares. SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities for the volunteers. Besides lava caving we might go hiking, sightseeing or throw a barbeque party.
Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes, even though it is summer, it might still be cold and hats and gloves might be necessary.

SEEDS volunteers will participate for the second year in a row in a unique project with the Icelandic Forestry Association. The work camp will take place in a valley deep into Hvalfjörður, the whale-fjord, located in the South west of Iceland. Volunteers will be performing different tasks such as:
•Cleaning up in the forest
•Collecting wood
•Creating new and maintaining old walking paths.

Volunteers will also fix a natural pool in the area and continue the project started by SEEDS volunteers last year, building and renovating a house made of timber and natural materials.

In this camp volunteers will challenge themselves with rather primitive facilities. We will sleep in a big “Indian” tent on the location of the project. Volunteers have to bring their own warm sleeping bag.
The food provided will be traditional Icelandic food, Icelandic lamb, fish and root vegetables, among other more modern products which we will cook on an open fire. Food will be kept cold in the river and we will wash ourselves with cloths and water either straight from the river or with water heated on the fire. A travel-toilet will be set up in a private location.
We will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget to bring some traditional or typical food from your home country for the international evening. During one of the weekends we will stay at one of SEEDS volunteer bases in Reykjavík, at Úlfarsfell.

The valley of Brynjudal, where the work camp takes place is about 80 Kilometres from the capital; deep inside Hvalfjörður. It is surrounded by mountains, to the north of the valley is a mountain called Múlafjall, south of the Valley are Bolafell and Suðurfjall and to the west Þrándarstaðafjall. The valley is extremely beautiful, with many plants and trees.
There are many small canyons, streams and waterfalls and it is a popular place for hikers to visit. Along the valley runs the river Brynjudalsá which starts in Sandvatn.
Hvalfjörður lies north of Reykjavík and Mosfellslbær and is the longest fjord in the south-west of Iceland, cutting 30kms deep into the land along a north-east/south-west axis and curling to the east at its head. Before the Hvalfjarðargöng tunnel was opened in 1998 and the main ring-road rerouted underneath the fjord, all traffic heading north or west to and from Reykjavík had to follow the fjord all the way around -a drive of an hour or two.
The volume of traffic on the road now -which at times is cut into the steep edges of the mountain-sides rising straight out of the fjord - must be a tiny fraction of what it was, and the fjord as a whole now has a quiet but powerful feel.

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

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 200 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be motivated to work outdoors and be willing to take part in all the diverse projects connected with the project.
SEEDS and/or our hosting partner will organise free time activities in the area for the volunteers. Extreme beautiful natural surroundings with countless opportunities to hike & discover by foot.

In this project SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work in two different locations in Eastern Iceland.
During the first part of the camp, we will work in the annual Icelandic metal music festival: Eistnaflug (e. Flying Testicles), held in Neskaupsstaður. We will be working on different tasks around the Metal festival Eistnaflug; preparing the area, working on the festival and cleaning the area afterwards. The main task will be guarding the area of the festival, both during the concerts and in the camping area. The festival itself is held for three days, but both before and after the festival we will be in the area to manage the logistics of the events.
The second week volunteers will be working on environmental and nature oriented tasks based on an Icelandic farm. Our tasks will be mainly focused on improving the environment in and around the whole area; cleaning out old barns and clearing fences from the land.
While volunteers help to preserve the local environment they will explore the surroundings of the location and discover the beautiful scenery.

During the first week SEEDS volunteers will stay in an elementary school on mattresses. During the second week volunteers will be lodged in a farmhouse, in shared room(s), sleeping on mattresses on the floor. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Volunteers will receive food and share the duties of preparing and cooking meals. Volunteers will also share the duties of cleaning.
Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

Eistnaflug is a music festival held annually for the last six years in the Eastern fjords and it has become a celebration for musicians from Iceland and abroad. In 2011 there were over 40 bands playing, the music spans from easy rock to heavy metal. The festival has been a peaceful one without any hazards, the motto is: Rock festival held in brotherhood and friendship.
In the eastern fjords visitors enjoy remarkable mountain scenery with mountains in almost every direction, majestic peaks, mysterious ravines and deep valleys. It is said that a visit is a mountain therapy because, some believe that they are good for body and soul, can be inspiring and give unexplained energy. Hikers will find challenges that suite them and enjoy the wonderful scenery and the mountains are the oldest part of Iceland. The geology is unique and very interesting to explore. Most of them are formed by layers of lava that have piled up through the millenniums.
The farm is located in the municipality of Fljótsdalshérað; 20 km from the largest town in Eastern Iceland - Egilsstaðir (population 2300). It is a young town which has become the largest in the east and offers a swimming pool, shops and museums among other main services. Egilsstaðir is home to the Lagarfljót Serpent which is believed to be Iceland’s equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster.
The farm is located in a beautiful valley with mountains close to Hallormsstaðaskógur, the largest wooded area of the country that spreads over 30 ha. The tree collection keeps an extensive variety of foreign trees and is renowned among professionals and travellers.

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

International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ). Domestic airport: Egilsstaðir Airport.
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 you to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be motivated for physically demanding work outdoors.

SEEDS has been working with the municipality of Strandabyggð since 2009 with very good results for the volunteers, the locals and SEEDS.
Strandir (the coasts), located on the north-eastern part of the western fjords of Iceland are a hiker’s paradise. Some of the most popular walking paths have not been maintained in a proper way for some time. Therefore SEEDS volunteers will be working on restoring and maintaining those hiking trails. To maintain these pathways is very important to encourage people in the area to enjoy the beautiful environment they live in a way that does not spoil the nature around.
Well maintained paths enable people to visit these amazing areas without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve their safety.
Work will be physically demanding and involves having a good condition. There may be some additional projects, as to take down old fences that are no longer serving their purpose and might be a dangerous hazard.
Tasks will be diverse, therefore flexibility and open-mind is expected. The day normally runs from 9:00 - 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee. Be prepared for some flexibility due to the weather.

SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local school and will have shower facilities in the local swimming pool. Volunteers will be sleeping on mattresses on the floor in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Food ingredients will be provided and a kitchen will be available; volunteers will share the different duties of cooking and cleaning. Please do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening.

The work camp will take place in the West fjords 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 West fjords are very mountainous; the coastline is made by dozens of fjords surrounded by steep hills.
The region of Strandir was for centuries one of the most remote areas in Iceland, known for the inhabitants' knowledge of magic and as a refuge for criminals and outlaws. The landscape of Strandir is far from uniform, the low hills of Hrútafjörður in the south gradually change to 700 m high mountains rising straight from the coast in the northern part.
The population in the Strandir region is under 800. The towns of Hólmavík and Drangsnes are the most populated; around 400 people in Hólmavík and 100 in Drangsnes. The people of Strandir live almost entirely on traditional fishing and farming and are increasingly aware of their heritage and will proudly tell tales of their ancestors' dealings with ghosts and other supernatural beings.
It has often been said that the people of Strandir know a bit more about witchcraft and sorcery than others, and to underscore that claim The Museum of Sorcery & Witchcraft, which takes one on a magical tour into the mystical world of the supernatural, is to be found in the area.

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

Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF).
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 180 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be ready to work in physically demanding jobs and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks in the project. Bring warm clothes, hats and gloves as the project takes place outside. SEEDS volunteers will have access free of charge to the local swimming pool.

SEEDS volunteers will be working in the north of Iceland in a place full of historical heritage for the nation, with a lot of archaeological findings from the middle ages. Every year there is a medieval festival and SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to be a part of the festival. We will be working on various different things, both in the surroundings and for the festival itself.
Preparation for the festival will include building two campsites and general preparations around the area. The tasks during the festival will be very diverse; we will be selling tickets, cleaning in the area and assisting various crafts men that are showing some old traditional Icelandic crafts.
Other projects during the festival might include participation in re-enactment of old Viking games. We will also be cooking and helping for some big grill-parties in the festival, and participating and enjoying the festival in other ways. After the festival is over, we will be helping in cleaning the area and leaving it in a good shape after the festivities have ended.
Work will be physically demanding and involves having a good condition; working in shifts, part of the group in the mornings and afternoons, and the rest in the afternoons and evenings.
Tasks will be diverse, therefore flexibility and open-mind is expected. The work is to be planned with the person in site, on charge of the area and SEEDS coordinator depending on the needs and weather conditions.

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.

In the north of Iceland, close to Akureyri on the shore of Eyjafjörður, the longest fjords in the country surrounded by mountains reaching up to1500 m. The Arctic Circle in only 60 km north of Akureyri but still the climate is mild, with summer temperatures up to 25°C and winter temperatures in average around 0˚C.
North Iceland is an expansive, enchanting region, where you can find all of Iceland's attractive aspects, culture and a flourishing society, endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor recreation, picturesque nature in all directions, and more natural sights than almost anywhere else.

You will not find another place in Iceland with so many antiquities from a trading post from the middle ages. This was one the main trading post in northern Iceland and is mentioned many times in Old Icelandic Sagas from the 13th and 14th centuries. Archaeological digging in the area during the last six years has shown that it was a trading post up to the 16th century, possibly until trading started in Akureyri.

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 200 (Euros).
Volunteers need to be ready to work outdoors in physical jobs and be willing to take part in all the diverse tasks in the project. Bring warm clothes as the project takes place outside.
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, fjords and rivers.

SEEDS volunteers will join a project in a beautiful and peaceful area in the north of Iceland. Volunteers will be tearing down old fence posts around the area, planting trees and other plants, building stone walls and cleaning around a construction site in the area.
In the evenings and during the free days there will be enough time to explore the surroundings, trekking and walking. There is also the possibility to participate in activities such as yoga, meditation and a guided hiking tour around the area.
The Lodge, where we will stay, is an ancient sheep farm that's been continually habited from the time of the settlement of the Vikings in Iceland in circa 850AD.

SEEDS volunteers will be hosted in a local housing in sleeping bags. 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 a valley at the north of Iceland in a peaceful area surrounded by mountains. Located in the heart of Tröllaskagi (“Trolls’ Headland” - between Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður), a mountainous peninsula, where most of the mountains rise above 1000 meters and the highest one is over 1500 meters. It is the part of Iceland with the highest elevation outside the central highlands.
The area is not a continuous highland, but has deep valleys which glaciers have dug with their enormous power in the last Ice Age. The area is renowned as one of Iceland’s most spectacular areas for outdoor activity. Hikers can find suitable walking routes at any time of year, while mountaineers can scale peaks of all shapes and sizes
The local environment has many options for exploration of the flora and fauna, hiking and enjoying solitude in a beautiful surrounding. In the valley where the workcamp takes place there is hidden mountain springs, beautiful waterfalls, hanging valleys and glaciers as small canyons.
The distance to the next town and village is about 60 km to Akureyri and 30 km to Dalvík. Akureyri is often referred to as the capital of the north and it is by far the largest town outside of the Reykjavik capital area with a population of about 17.200. Akureyri is the centre of culture, education and leisure activities in north Iceland.
Dalvik is a small community with around 2000 inhabitants. The local community is based upon the fisheries and fish processing. From Dalvik the ferry Sæfari serves the island of Grímsey, Iceland’s northernmost community, which lies on the Arctic Circle. Sæfari also serves Hrísey which is out in the middle of Eyjafjörður and is often referred to as the pearl of Eyjafjörður.

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

Closest International Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Domestic airport is Akureyri (AEY).
SEEDS organises the “minibus option”, a shared transport from Reykjavík to the camp site and vice versa. Apart from being cheaper and more convenient, it allows volunteers to meet fellow campers and have a relaxed trip, while stopping on the way for interesting and tourist sites.

Participation fee EUR 200. (Euros)
The camp is located in a place of extreme beauty and isolation; natural surroundings.
Additional free time activities will be organized for SEEDS volunteers, like yoga and a guided hiking tour using environmental interpretation for a deeper understanding of the value of nature and the importance of nature protection.
Volunteers should have a motivation for working outdoors and staying in a very remote place.