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Outdoor Work Beneath the Glacier

 

Camp code:

IS-SEE 10.115

Country:

Iceland

Start Date:

10 Oct 2018

End Date:

24 Oct 2018

Topic:

10: Environment protection

Work Types:

Environment / Restoration, renovation

International age:

18 - 99

National age:

18 - 99

Extra fee to be paid in the hosting country:

200.00 Euro

Purpose of extra costs:

Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas.

Required Language:

English

Spoken Language:

English

Description: Our host for this project is a farmer’s family on the south shore of Iceland close to the town of Vík, the farmers cultivate carrots and keep cows. This is the seventh year that SEEDS volunteers will have the unique opportunity to get to know and explore this traditional Icelandic farm. There will be various environmental tasks, such as tree-planting and tree-cutting helping with the upkeep and the restoration of some farm buildings, helping cutting the grass used to feed the animals during the long winter months. We may also help repair environmental damages after animals. Other possible tasks include turfing grass; cleaning tasks, such as clearing fields of rocks, fences and beautifying the area, like hand-picking garbage or collecting trash that has been blown by the wind.

Type of Work: Those interested in farm activities, can help out taking care of the animals or carrots cultivation. Participants are invited to the stalls, and can assist in milking the cows if interested or just tending to them in general. The work can be demanding and requires a good physical condition but no previous experience is necessary. The working day normally runs from 09:00 - 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee; however, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the unforeseeable weather in Iceland. As it is outdoors work, volunteers shall be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned.

Study Theme: Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm and waterproof clothes as the tasks take place outside and it can be cold or rainy. Bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking shoes/boots, a good sleeping bag and gloves. Volunteers might be asked to do other related tasks and some flexibility is required depending on the advance of the different tasks, weather conditions and current needs.

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

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

Requirements: Participation fee EUR 200 (Euros). Please note that these fees are to be paid to SEEDS on arrival in either Euros or Icelandic krónas. Our host will organise free time activities, depending on the weather. Volunteers have to bring good working shoes & clothes. It can be very cold and rainy, so please bring rainproof clothes, warm clothes, hats and gloves.

Approximate Location: The inhabitants here live in constant threat of volcanic eruptions and the area was covered by ashes during the recent eruptions in Eyjafjallajökull 2010 and Vatnajökull (Grimsvötn) in 2011. Vík is Iceland's southernmost village. Mýrdalur is bordered by the glacial river Jökulsá to the west and the river Blautakvísl to the east. Its northern border is the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which caps the volcanic Mt. Katla, while its southern limits are the black sand beach and the rolling Atlantic waves. The district lives mainly by agriculture