Inspired by Iceland
SEEDS 031. Island of Viðey (1:2)
Capital Region
SEEDS Iceland
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From 13.05.2019 to 23.05.2019
Type: Environmental / Construction
Number of volunteers: 7
Language: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.
Accomodation: Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Viðey Island, in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag.
Participation fee: 350 EUR
Extra: Participation fee EUR 350 (Euros). This fee includes the transportation from the meeting point to the camp location the Golden Circle excursion and a whale watching trip worth around EUR 200 with the regular tour operators.
Age: 18+
 
WORK/PROJECT: SEEDS volunteers will have the opportunity to work on the historical island of Viðey for the 13th year in a row with our host, the city of Reykjavík. 
Viðey is a popular destination during the summer among Icelandic and foreign visitors. Volunteers will help prepare the island for the Spring/summer season. Volunteers will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area, especially along the coastline, like hand-picking garbage or collecting trash blown by the wind or brought by the sea to the shores and surroundings.
 
SEEDS volunteers will carry out some planting and other gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths. Well maintained paths enable people to visit the area without damaging them and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors. Depending on the advance of the project, volunteers may have other possible tasks such as checking up and repairing garden furniture.  
 
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 nature of Iceland's changeable weather.
 
The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable and the temperature in May can drop during the evenings. Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure of bringing warm clothing since most of the work will take place outdoors. Volunteers should have motivation to work outside and work in all kinds of weather as it can get cold. Bring warm under-layers, waterproofs, walking shoes/boots, a good sleeping bag and gloves.
 
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.
 
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Viðey Island, in a sleeping bag accommodation sharing rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. 
 
The house has an equipped kitchen. Volunteers will receive food ingredients and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening. 
 
LOCATION: Viðey or “Wood Island” is the largest (1,7 km²) island in the Kollafjorður Bay, just outside Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here. Viðey was inhabited from soon after the settlement of Iceland already in the 10th century and at the beginning of the 20th century around 100 people lived there. Today the island is uninhabited.
 
There is a regular boat connection between the island and the harbour of Reykjavík. The island is only a few hundred metres away from the city and the trip takes just about 10 minutes. This makes Viðey so special; it is a peaceful place, very close to the busy city life of the capital.
 
There are hiking and cycling paths around the island and there is no motor traffic allowed. It also inhabits intriguing sculptural artwork, amongst them all nine pairs of basalt pillars that comprise Richard Serra’s work Áfangar and Yoko Ono’s “Imagine peace” column, a tower of light, which is supported by the widow of John Lennon. Other places of interest on Viðey are related to archaeological research. 
 
LANGUAGE: English will be the language in the camp; basic conversational skills are needed.
 
TERMINAL: Closest international Airport: Keflavík/Reykjavík (KEF). Bus station: Central Reykjavík (BSÍ).
 
Meeting time will be at 14:00 (2:00 pm) on May 13th at SEEDS Office. 
 
EXTRAS/SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 350 (Euros). 
 
Please note that the fee can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid for on arrival. This fee includes the transportation from the meeting point to the camp location (on the first and last day of the camp), the Golden Circle excursion and a whale watching trip worth around EUR 200 with the regular tour operators. SEEDS volunteers will have free rides in the boat/ferry to the city of Reykjavík during their free time. 
 
Other excursions (South Shore, Hot River hike, Snaefellsnes or Reykjanes Peninsula) can be arranged at discount fares for SEEDS participants in case there is additional free time after work or during the weekends. 
 
Volunteers have to bring good working shoes and clothes. Weather in Iceland may be cold and/or rainy, please bring warm and/or waterproof clothes (overcoats, scarves, gloves and hats) as the activities take place outside.
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