Project location
Hveragerði is a small town of about 1,700 inhabitants that lies 45 km east of Reykjavík. This friendly little community sits on top of a highly active geothermal field.
This provides heat for hundreds of greenhouses where fruit, flowers, and vegetables are produced throughout the year. Even bananas grow in these greenhouses! The name Hveragerði means“hot springs garden”. Geothermal energy is Hveragerði’s lifeline and chances are you won’t find such a natural wonder in the middle of a populated area anywhere else in the world. Nearby you will find an even more geothermally active site: Gufudalur, the lovely “Steam Valley” behind the town. This whole valley is full of hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles, and steam vents.
Our host is a non-profit organization called the NLFI Rehabilitation and Health Clinic, which is a part of the Natural Health Association of Iceland. Every year approximately 2,000 patients and other guests enjoy their diverse rehabilitation programs, which are focused on an approach that builds self-confidence and personal responsibility for the patient's own health. Since its foundation in 1955, the clinic has earned a solid reputation, both in Iceland and internationally, for the personal and effective care of patients. It is one of the two most important rehabilitation clinics in Iceland. In the last few years, this ongoing camp has been the most popular camp in our organization.
Work
The Natural Health Association has a horticultural and environmental department, including forestry, gardening, and greenhouses, which is where Worldwide Friends volunteers work most of the time. Volunteers will be working in the greenhouses planting and harvesting vegetables, doing weed control and sometimes you will also be gardening. The agriculture that is practiced in the center is organic/bio. The activities vary depending on the season of the greenhouses and time of year.
The main activities, but not limited to are; Agriculture: cultivating soil; planting; raising, and harvesting crops. Horticulture: growing fruits, vegetables, and plants. Working involves working with herbs. Renovation around the property. During winter the work might include snowplowing.
If you have any specific allergies please check before booking.
The nature of the work depends largely on weather conditions, which can change quickly. Volunteers should bring clothes appropriate for outdoor work, but also clothes for working inside the warm greenhouses. Working hours are usually from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and volunteers will have a coffee break in the morning and a one-hour lunch break.
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
We strongly recommend arriving in Iceland at least one day before the first day of your workcamp and depart no earlier than one day after the last day of your workcamp.
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
