Food, Lodging & Travel
The volunteer camp is situated in Heiðmörk. The Reykjavík Forestry Association (Skógræktarfélag Reykjavíkur) owns the wooden cabin within the 3.200 hectare nature reserve near Reykjavík. The volunteers will have a fully equipped wooden cabin with two twin rooms, a lounge, bathroom with shower and kitchen. There is running water and electricity, heating and a woodburner. The cabin is rustic and simple but right in the middle of the reserve where you are working, so you can go there on foot.
Volunteers have the opportunity to enjoy the facilities of the large recreational area where they are living and lots of nature trails – which can be done at weekends, which are free time.
Volunteers can be driven to the shops weekly to buy food and you can cook together in a group or by yourself. You should have packed lunches and snacks ready each morning before heading out into the field.
Transport
The meeting point for the commencement of the programme is on the Monday of your start date at 10:00 in BSÍ (https://www.bsi.is) bus terminal in Reykjavík. The project supervisor will pick you up there and drive you to the volunteer house, and back at the end of your 2 weeks (Monday morning drop off at 10AM on your last day).
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 18 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
All volunteers should consider that Icelandic weather can be demanding and should bring with them appropriate outdoor clothing. Good shoes, wind blocking overgarments and insulating (not cotton) inner clothing. The project manager will provide the volunteers with heavy duty waterproof pants and jacket, working gloves, and all the tools needed for work.
Free Time
At weekends, in your free time, there are plenty of places to explore. Right in Heiðmörk, there are many different lava formations and Búrfell crater is on the edge of the area and so is Helgafell mountain. A 15 minute walk from the volunteer house, you will get to the Red hills which is a pseudo crater formation.
Previously, interns have gone to visit Reykjadalur, a hot spring thermal river, that is about 30 minute bus ride from Heiðmörk. Going to Thingvellir (a UNESCO park) is also a great weekend activity (40-50 minute on bus).
You are also on the edge of Reykjavik city, 20 minute walk to the bus station and it takes the bus 40 minutes to reach downtown. There are of course plenty of activities there like whale watching tours or cultural walks.
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. Durning 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.
