📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
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 depict postcard-like fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful views. This is one of the best places in Iceland to see the northern lights. Fjaroabyggo is an association of villages in the Eastern fjords of Iceland. It includes the towns of Eskifjorour, Faskruosfjorour, Mjoifjorour, Neskaupstaour, Reyoarfjorour and Stoovarfjorour, 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 breath-taking hiking paths.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will live together and create a cosy atmosphere in Eskifjordur. One of the tasks is to decorate the area where our house is located by putting up lights and Christmas decorations made out of recycling materials. The main idea of this camp is to celebrate Christmas together and to promote peace and friendship among the group trough intercultural learning and exchange. During this camp, another goal of the volunteers will be to edit a special edition of WF magazine UNA related to Christmas and volunteering in Iceland. Also, in this time of the year, it is very easy to see AURORA BOREALIS and take photos of it. We will keep an eye on the weather and Aurora forecasts every day in order to find the best moments to enjoy this amazing phenomenon. We will also show you the basic settings for capturing it with your camera. We will create an electronic postcard together that we will post on Facebook and other social media sites during the camp.As the weather can get cold in winter, we strongly recommend you to bring warm and waterproof clothes with you. Also, don t forget to bring your cameras and tripods, if you have them, since we will focus on Aurora hunting. The tripod is an essential tool for stabilizing the camera, so it would work in long exposure. We will also concentrate on intercultural learning and exchange. Every evening, volunteers from different countries will be in charge of presenting their country of origin and culture in an informal way. It can be a presentation, a game, theatre i the form of introduction is up to you Therefore, we encourage you to bring along some food, photos or anything interesting related to your country for a fun and informative evening amongst other volunteers. This workcamp gives you the opportunity to spend 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.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Worldwide Friends volunteers will be staying in the WF houses. We offer basic facilities. Beds are provided, however, volunteers should bring their own warm sleeping bags. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge.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
📍 About the location
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. The area in the east is also good for hiking, so please bring your hiking shoes.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.
ℹ️ Additional information
Christmas and New Year in the nice village Eskifjordur