Work: In Eskifjörður the activities are divided between the morning and the afternoon. In the morning, Worldwide Friends volunteers perform outdoor work, which may include planting trees, fixing hiking paths, painting or weeding. In the afternoon, volunteers will work together on the study theme, “Water, Nature, and Sustainable Energy”. This will include workshops, discussions, and also occasional site visits to relevant natural features, plants, infrastructure, and industries. Examples of potential site visit destinations include geothermal and hydropower plants, geothermal hot springs, geysirs, waterfalls, and companies that make major use of water and electricity.
Project Location: Iceland is a country extremely rich in water resources. Frequent rainfall, snow, and ice melt feed lakes, cold-water springs, and rivers all over the island, some of which is used to generate electricity in hydro-power plants. The country is situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge, and there is constant volcanic activity beneath the surface of many parts of the island. As a result, many natural underground water reservoirs are heated geothermally, and where this water comes to the surface it forms hotsprings and geysirs. Heat from these geothermal water reservoirs is used for making electricity and to heat buildings. Iceland is the only western country that obtains all of its electricity needs from emission-free and sustainable natural resources in the form of geothermal and hydro power.
The camp will start in Reykjavik and we will spend the first day in the capital. The camp will take place in the Eastern fjords of Iceland. On the second day we will travel through the South all the way to Eskifjörður. During day three and four we will visit several places in the East related to the topic of the workcamp. In the last day of the camp we will travel through the North all the way to Reykjavik. The camp will therefore include extensive travel around Iceland to the south, east, and north to visit a variety of different sites. This will involve driving for over 1.700km for five days to travel all around the island in order to effectively carry out the study/visit program of the workcamp.
Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital city and is centered on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Come at the right time of year, and in favorable 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.
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 breathtaking hiking paths.
Work: In Eskifjörður the activities are divided between the morning and the afternoon. In the morning, Worldwide Friends volunteers perform outdoor work, which may include planting trees, fixing hiking paths, painting or weeding. In the afternoon, volunteers will work together on the study theme, “Water, Nature, and Sustainable Energy”. This will include workshops, discussions, and also occasional site visits to relevant natural features, plants, infrastructure, and industries. Examples of potential site visit destinations include geothermal and hydropower plants, geothermal hot springs, geysirs, waterfalls, and companies that make major use of water and electricity, such as aluminum smelters.
Since the workcamp will include discussions and workshops, an intermediate level of English is required.
Study theme: Water, nature and sustainable energy.
Leisure: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermally-heated swimming pools in Reykjavik. 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 one of several shared houses offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities in the heart of historical downtown Reykjavik. 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, and volunteers also have free access to shared desktop computers in communal areas. The accommodation provided by Worldwide Friends Iceland for volunteers in Reykjavik is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including: banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theaters, shops, museums, and bus stations.
In Eskifjörður the volunteers will stay in a community building, there are no showers in the house but the volunteers will have a free access to the local swimming pool which is open from 7 o´clock in the morning until late in the evening. Volunteers should bring their own warm sleeping bags. Mattresses are provided.
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.
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 favorite 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 250– This fee covers also the transportation and extra accommodation costs of a full trip around Iceland, a total driving distance of nearly 1.700 km over several days. This travel required in order to effectively carry out the study/visit program of the workcamp.
