Food, Lodging & Travel
The teams will stay at camps close to the project sites and in their own tents (option to rent a tent for £50). Volunteers have access to hot showers and washing machines and teams have their own cooking tents or access to shared facilities at the campsite.
Once participants have made their own way to Iceland and joined the team at the meeting point, food will be provided for the duration of the project. Our volunteers take part in preparing meals and share all other domestic tasks. Note that allergies and dietaries (vegetarian, vegan…) are taken into consideration.
Transport
The programme begins in Reykjavík.
Meeting point: Sunday 7th of June at 9:30 at Kex Hostel for Group 1 and Sunday 12th of July at 9:00 at Kex Hostel for Group 2. It is important to be on time as we will be travelling straight away to the work location.
Our volunteers are asked to arrange their flights according to this time. In order to arrive in time, volunteers must reach Reykjavík the day before. Upon initial arrival at the meeting point, the project will then provide transport to and from project locations throughout the duration of the programme.
The placement ends on Thursday 18th of June for Group 1 and Thursday 23rd of July for Group B at 19:00 in Reykjavík as our teams usually travel back to Reykjavík that day. The volunteers need to arrange the outgoing flight according to this time.
Type of volunteers needed
Participants should first of all be interested in nature and physical outdoor work. This project is open to people of all nationalities and backgrounds, however there is unfortunately no adapted frame for disabled people.
Once training is completed, participants need to be able to work and live on their own in a responsible manner. The main point is the maturity of the participants (not age) and their physical ability to do demanding tasks outdoors.
Participants need to be able to communicate well in English since it is the working language. Volunteers should be between 20 to 60 years old, fit, healthy and capable of carrying out work in all conditions in a cold and wet climate and being able to handle walking off the paths. No specific skills are needed but strong self-motivation is key.
Equipment
The project will provide gloves and waterproof jackets and trousers for executing the projects as well as any additional safety equipment that is required. Participants will need to bring their own personal equipment.
Essentials include, a sturdy tent (that can be rented), walking boots, safety work boots (with steel toecaps) and waterproofs and warm clothes. A full equipment check-list will be provided.
Visa/ residence permit
Volunteers coming from outside the Schengen area must sort out themselves the visa requirement to come to Iceland. The Nature Conservation Agency will assist the volunteers with the required documentation linked to the volunteering programme.
Free Time
During the placement, the volunteers will have the opportunity to explore the surroundings, go on hikes and do some activities like whale watching, enjoying natural hot springs, hiking in beautiful areas and discover Iceland. Your team leader knows the area intimately and can arrange some exciting activities for you whilst you are there!
Health, weather
The gulf stream and the south-westerly winds from the Atlantic give Iceland a mild temperature. However, the unfortunate side is that this warm air creates condensation which often results in rain. So volunteers should be prepared for rainy conditions, with occasional sunny spells. Temperatures in the summer average about 12 degrees celsius.
Healthcare service and pharmacies are within 15 mins drive and the grocery store is a 10 mins drive. During work, there is always a emergency kit in the cars, but volunteers are required to bring with them any medication they will need during the project length.
