WF37 Aurora hunting and Renovation in the East of Iceland 06/12 – 19/12 ART/MANU/ENVI/STUDY 12 vol

Project Location: Scoured by Ice Age glaciers, the dramatic east coast boasts long, narrow fjords with steep sides and jagged peaks which contrast with inland fertile farmlands. Natural harbours mean picture-postcard fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful sweeping views. This is one of the best places in Iceland to see the Northern lights.

“Fjarðabyggð" is an association of villages 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. In this area you will see some of the features that make Iceland a unique place in the world: spectacular fjords with a rich sea life, a great variety of birdlife, and countless breathtaking hiking paths. You will explore the area during your stay in the east.

Work: During this work camp volunteers will develop different task related to renovation and maintenance of our houses in the East of Iceland. The work will depend on each volunteer skills and knowledge but it is focus on task such as painting, cleaning, fixing small things and basic knowledge of carpentry and construction. It is time here in Iceland during the winter to prepare our accommodations for the summer. This camp is extremely important for us and for our summer volunteers. In addition to this work winter time means in Iceland AURORA HUNTING. If you like photography, share an amazing time with friends from all over the world and the northern lights this camp will suit you perfectly. During the camp we will check out regularly during the nights if Aurora borealis is happening and we will prepare our self to able take photos of this amazing and unique phenomenon. It is very important to have your cameras with you (only cameras that work in long exposure will catch those lights) so don’t forget your tripod and camera. We will be able to offer you a small workshop for night scenarios photography. The photos of course will be for your personal use and fun but we will also keep the best photos from you to use afterwards for brochure, websites and social media.

We will also concentrate on intercultural learning and exchange. Every evening a different country will cook for the rest of the Group and will be in charge of presenting their origin country and culture in a non-formal way. It could be a presentation, games, theater or however you would like to show it. Therefore we recommend you to bring food, photos or whatever you think is important and nice for the worldwide evenings.

This work camp is a way to enjoy an amazing time in Iceland with other international volunteers and to have an incredible experience where participants share their knowledge with each other while exploring creativity, environmental issues and intercultural learning. If the weather conditions are good than we could also do some environmental work.

Leisure: Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local swimming pool. 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.

WF Iceland will organise reasonably-priced weekend excursions to some of the most popular, beautiful areas and natural wonders that Iceland has to offer. Excursions include unique Icelandic sights such as waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.

The area in the East is also good for hiking so please bring your hiking shoes.

Accommodation and Food: Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in the WF houses. WE offer basic facilities. Beds are provided and volunteers should bring their own warm sleeping bags.

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 favourite recipes from home! There will be WI-FI internet connection available.

To keep in mind, don’t forget your cameras and tripods if you have one. A Laptop could be very useful as well. Really warm clothes since we are going to be in a very isolated place which is rather cold in winter. Please bring also traditional food from your country, photos and other things for the intercultural evenings.

Language: A basic knowledge of English is required for this workcamp.

Requirements: No special requirements

Terminal: Intl. Airport: Keflavík (KEF), Reykjavík. The closest national airport to the camp site is Egilsstaðir airport which is 40 km away from the project’s site.

Flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), just south of Reykjavik. WF Iceland will offer a minibus trip from Reykjavik to the East for a fair price (150 € for the round trip which is almost 1.400 km in total). On the way to the camp we will go through the South to the East of the island. After the camp we will go through the North and west to Reykjavik if the road conditions are good enough. This trip includes unique Icelandic sights such as glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, lava fields, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.

Additional Information: There is an Extra participation fee of 200,- Euro for this workcamp.

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 1289