Project Location
Hveragerði is a small town of around 1,700 inhabitants, located 45 km east of Reykjavík. Its name means “hot springs garden”, and the town is built on an active geothermal area.
Geothermal energy provides heat for many greenhouses where vegetables, flowers, and fruits. Nearby Gufudalur (“Steam Valley”) is an impressive geothermal area with hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, and steam vents.
The project is hosted by the NLFI Rehabilitation and Health Clinic, a non-profit organization founded in 1955. The clinic focuses on natural health, rehabilitation, wellness, and preventive care, using healthy food and plants as part of its holistic approach.
Work
Volunteers support the clinic’s greenhouses and herbal gardens, helping with:
- Planting, harvesting, and maintaining crops
- Gardening and general plant care
- Pest control and sustainable growing
- Growing, drying, and packaging herbs for the clinic’s herbal tea
- Supporting other seasonal gardening tasks as needed
The project offers a hands-on experience of the connection between sustainable agriculture, plants, and wellness.
Working hours: Approximately 8:00–15:00, including a morning coffee break and a one-hour lunch break.
Work may take place both outdoors and inside the greenhouses, depending on the weather and season. Please bring suitable clothing for both conditions.
Allergies: If you have any specific allergies, please check with us before booking.
Participants
This project is suitable for participants who are healthy, motivated, flexible, and willing to work as part of an international team. Some tasks can be physical, and volunteers should be prepared to work both indoors and outdoors.
Camp Leaders
Each camp has one or more Camp Leaders, depending on the group size. They connect the volunteers, WF Iceland, and the local community.
Camp Leaders coordinate daily work and help organize meals, shopping, cleaning, leisure activities, and excursions. They are also part of the volunteer team and support the group throughout the camp.
Arrival & Departure
We strongly recommend arriving in Iceland at least one day before the first day of your workcamp and departing no earlier than one day after the last day.
Participants must arrive at the designated meeting point on time on Arrival Day.
If you are delayed or cannot reach the meeting point at the scheduled time, please contact us immediately through the WhatsApp group. We will then check whether we are able to wait for you or arrange an alternative pick-up.
If we are unable to accommodate a late arrival, you may need to make your own way to the project. Please do not assume that we can wait for late arrivals, as transportation is planned according to the group schedule.
What to pack?
Hiking boots
Work gloves
Water bottle
Work clothes (for outside & inside the Greenhouse)
Warm sleeping bag (we only provide bed sheets)
Towel
Swimsuit (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
Cash (ISK or Euros) for camp fees and excursions as we do not accept credit card payments on the spot.
Baggage allowance: 1 large suitcase & small carry-on
