Taking Care of Nature

Non-profit
·
founded in 2001
Worldwide Friends
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Coordinator | Sebastian
Coordinator | Sebastian
Book with Flex Option! Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.

High­lights

Travel along the famous "Ring Road" discover amazing views
Participate in beach cleaning activities or forestry work to Preserve & Protect nature
Experience the magic of the Aurora or the white nights with the midnight sun.
Wake up every morning with a breath taking view, on one side the mountains and on the other side the fjord.
Meet volunteers from all around the world, create new friendships, learn about other cultures and practice your english.
Embark on an adventure that will take you to the Eastern Fjords of Iceland. Engaging in different environmental activities like Forestry & Beach Cleaning. This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
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 harbors depict postcard-like fishing villages and seemingly never-ending roads cross the region, providing beautiful views.  

“Fjarðabyggð” is an association of villages in the Eastern fjords of Iceland. It includes the town of 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 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:
Volunteers will have 5 to 6  hours of environmental work during weekdays. The main activities can be cleaning the coastline and rivers, planting trees or picking seeds, taking down old fences, removing lupines or other plants, and fixing hiking paths. The work depends on the need of the local community and the season. We also have the option to do a little bit of renovation in the house or take care of the garden if needed. Some days we will give a special focus on global warming and the volunteers will have workshops or lectures about climate change. The main goal of this project is to improve the environmental education and consciousness of the project’s participants. Within the project, we will learn about green energy, sustainable householding, waste treatment, nutrition, the effects of consumption, and lots more. 

This program takes a bottom-up approach, focusing on how an individual can change their perception of plastic, understand responsibility, create motivation to contribute to combatting the crisis, and, ultimately, ideally change their plastic behaviors. Our work will also depend on weather conditions, which is why we must be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, but hopefully, the weather will be nice most of the time. This is a perfect camp for people who like outdoor work and physical challenges. Working hours are about 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Participants:
We host international volunteers, most of them around 18 to 25 years old.

Camp leaders:
There are always one or more leaders for each camp, depending on the size of the group. Leaders represent the link between the hosting community and the group of volunteers. They coordinate the work, organize leisurely activities, plan excursions, organize the shopping, house chores, and cooking sessions. Apart from these additional responsibilities, they are equal to other volunteers. Most of our camp leaders are from other countries, as we are very open-minded in hosting international leaders from other organizations



What to pack?
Icelandic weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for anything. You will need:
  • Hiking boots that are waterproof 
  • Warm sleeping bag (we only provide bedsheets) 
  • Swimsuits and towels (to take advantage of the traditional swimming pools and hot springs) 
  • Warm and waterproof clothes/shoes (you will spend time outside) 
  • Slippers/shoes for indoors, we don’t bring shoes inside the houses! 
  • Raincoat 
  • Pillow 
  • Medication 
  • Food, photos, or anything interesting related to your country for intercultural nights 
  • Hairdryer (optional) 
  • Cash (ISK or EUR) for extra excursions
  • Baggage allowance: 1 large suitcase & small carry-on 

Typical day

A typical working day has the following schedule:

  • 8:00 Breakfast
  • 9:00-15:00 Work
  • 13:00 Lunch 
  • 16:00-17:00 Free time 
  • 18:00 Workshop
  • 19:00 Dinner
  • 20:00 Movie Night

Free-time activities

Worldwide Friends volunteers have free access to the local geothermal-heated swimming pool in Stödvarfjörður (From June to August). 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. There is the option of doing kayaking, excursions, and other activities for an extra fee.
Water Sports
Swimming
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation

Require­ments

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
Language Skills
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
Required Documents
CV and ID
Nationality Restrictions
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Time Commitment
Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

Services by Worldwide Friends
  • The fees include transportation from Reykjavik to the Project Location & Back.  During the travel which takes 12 hours from Reykjavik to the East we will do several stops on the way. You will discover waterfalls, glaciers, strong rivers, lava fields and a lot of pure nature.  
  • All meals & Housing
  • WIFI
  • Workshops
  • Volunteering activities.

  • WF Cancellation fees & charges

    As we start to incur costs from the time the contract is confirmed we will apply cancellation charges as shown below from the time when written notification of the cancellation is received:

    • With a notice of more than 30th days, the cancellation will be free of charge.
    • With a notice between 30th – 14th days, 50% of the total fee will be charged.
    • With a notice of less than 14th days, 100% of the total fee will be charged.
    • Any expenses that may occur due to early departure will be covered by the participant and not WF, no refund shall be given.


    Code of Conduct

    In order to have adequate conduct during the program, the following points are established that must be complied with without exception.


    • WF is committed to ensuring an environment that is free of discrimination and to fostering a climate in which all participants can have an exceptional experience.
    • Clothing. Appropriate footwear and suitable outdoor clothing must be worn. We reserve the right to refuse participation to participants who are dressed inappropriately or with inappropriate footwear since this will put the participant’s well-being and safety at risk.
    • Non-prescription Drugs. We reserve the right to terminate the program to participants we believe are under the influence of drugs, in such circumstances, no refund shall be given.
    • WF reserves the right to refuse participation and to cancel the stay to any participant whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offense, upset, or put other participants in danger. Any expenses that may occur due to early departure will be covered by the participant and not WF.
Accommodation
Worldwide Friends volunteers will be staying in our house in Stodvarfjordur.  

The house has 6 quadruple rooms, 2 triple rooms, two fully equipped kitchens, several bathrooms, common areas,  and workshop rooms. House capacity 30.

The house is fully equipped, volunteers should bring their own warm sleeping bags or borrow one from WF if they do not have one. 

Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. 
Bedroom (Double) Dorm Room
Food & Beverages
Food is included for the duration of the work camp; however, everyone is expected to do their fair share of the cooking and cleaning. 

We provide a well-balanced and healthy variety of food products that includes a wide variety of whole grains, seasonal fruits & vegetables, pantry staples, dairy products, and vegetarian/vegan options. We try to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet by cutting down our meat intake and we usually encourage volunteers to try more sustainable dishes. 


Since it is always nice to try new and different dishes, volunteers are encouraged to bring along their favorite recipes or ingredients from home!

Internet Access
Good access at the project site
What's NOT included?
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees. An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
Flight Tickets
The nearest airport is Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Reykjavik. We assist you to find cheap flights to Iceland.
Travel Insurance
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Iceland provides security and is a plus to have.
Vaccines
If you are intending to volunteer in Iceland you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Iceland.

Dates & Fees

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Details on arrival

Arrival 
Volunteers will be picked up at the City Hall of Reykjavik in Tjarnargata 11 101 Reykjavik at 09.00 am at the first day of the camp. 

Departure

Drop off will be on the evening of the last day of the program at BSI Bus Station. You will arrive no sooner than 20:00. The time may vary due to adverse weather conditions and other related conditions. We strongly recommend departing no earlier than one day after the last day of your work camp. Keep in mind you have to arrange your stay for these days.

*Pre-camp in Reyjavik

It is possible to do a pre camp in Reykjavik for two days and it costs 150 EURO extra

  • Day 1: Arrival day -Pick up at BSI bus station - visit to City Center -Accommodation in Reykjavik
  • Day 2: Golden Circle Excursion - Accommodation in Reykjavik
  • Day 3: Departure to Workcamp accommodation


The program starts on Wednesday to Wednesday every 2 weeks;


Our Start Dates are;

  • 08.03
  • 22.03
  • 05.04
  • 19.04
  • 03.05
  • 17.05
  • 31.05
  • 14.06
  • 28.06
  • 12.07
  • 26.07
  • 09.08
  • 23.08
  • 06.09
  • 20.09
  • 04.10
  • 18.10
  • 01.11
  • 15.11



Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Duration
2 - 12 weeks

Program fees

Costs: Prices in USD
2 weeks (min. stay)
$672
4 weeks
$1,344
6 weeks
$2,016
8 weeks
$2,688
10 weeks
$3,360
12 weeks (max. stay)
$4,032
Average fees
$336 /week

The organization charges its fees in EUR. The price table in USD is subject to currency fluctuation. Worldwide Friends will let you know about the final price during your application process.
Deposit (15%)
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Final Payment (85%)
Your final payment will be agreed with Worldwide Friends during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Why book with Volunteer World

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Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Worldwide Friends cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Worldwide Friends.

What are people saying about Volunteer World?

Taking Care of Nature

Embark on an adventure that will take you to the Eastern Fjords of Iceland. Engaging in different environmental activities like Forestry & Beach Cleaning.

$300/week

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