📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
: Hafnarfjorour is a town with a population of 23.500 people. It is located 10 km away from Iceland s capital, Reykjavik. Hafnarfjorour (harbour fjord) is named after its natural harbour. The town is first mentioned in the medieval Book of Settlements, and the earliest reports of voyages to Hafnarfjorour date back to the end of the 14th century. Today, Hafnarfjorour is one of the nation s largest fishing centres and the site of Iceland s first fish wholesale auction market. The town is famous for having one of Iceland s largest settlements of elves, dwarves and the so-called Hidden Folk. Centuries-old folklore has it that whole clans of such beings reside in the rocks that make up part of the town s centre. We do not doubt this at all. Though elves are visible only to those with second sight, many Icelanders believe in their existence. Indeed, there are many stories to support this belief and reports of cases where the construction of new roads or housing developments were hindered by strange happenings abound. Hidden Folk are highly respected all over Iceland, especially in Hafnarfjordur. There is even a Hidden Worlds tour that takes to their home sites, including Hellisgerdi Park and the base of the cliff Hamarinn, which is said to be home to the Royal Family of the Hidden Folk. Along the way, the guide relates ancient folk tales of the magical hidden worlds and narrates how the town developed in harmony with the Hidden Folk. For more information take a look at: http://www.hafnarfjordur.is/english/
💼 What the programme involves
Most of the work will consist of different environmental tasks for example clean the coastline, plant trees and building hiking paths. Our work will also depend on weather conditions and that s why we have to be flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though, hopefully, it will be nice most of the time. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Worldwide Friends volunteers stay in a community building offering basic sleeping and cooking facilities. Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bag and towels, but mattresses and bed linens are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. The accommodation is located within short walking distance of many urban amenities, including: banks, pharmacies, supermarkets, public swimming pools, restaurants, cafes, libraries, theatres, shops, museums, and bus stations.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 Volunteers will have lunch in the city hall cafeteria.
📍 About the location
Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermal-heated swimming pool in Hafnarfjordur. 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 also 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 glacial lagoons, waterfalls, volcanic and geothermal areas, glaciers, geysers, lava forests, hot-springs, rhyolite mountain ranges, steam-vents, or even icebergs.