Aurora Hunting (Photography) & Renovation | WF710 | 2023-11-08 - 2023-11-22 | RENO,ENVI,CULT | Age: 18 - 35

Worldwide Friends (WF), was founded in 2001 as a non-profit organization promoting nature and peace-oriented activities for volunteers wanting to spend some time in Iceland. Our main theme for this year is to give education about the 17 Sustainable Goals of the United Nations and to clean the whole coastline of Iceland. The main activities that we offer are workcamps, seminars, local events, and exchange programs suitable both for young people and adults.

Work: During this workcamp, volunteers will deal with different tasks related to Renovation and Maintenance of our Sustainable Center. Being in the Renovation Team you’ll have the opportunity to work alongside skilled foremen to support building houses and new structures for community use, renovating existing community buildings, and improving local infrastructure. You will have the opportunity to witness the impact of your handiwork, you’ll be continuing the construction work of previous volunteers. Our first priority in establishing this program is that it should always stem from the organization s and the local community s needs. For this reason, our activities may change depending on the local need at any given time. The work will depend on the skills and knowledge of each volunteer but focus mainly on tasks such as painting, cleaning, fixing small things, and acquiring basic knowledge of carpentry and construction. In addition to the work, winter in Iceland also means AURORA HUNTING! If you like photography, having an amazing time with friends from all over the world and the Northern lights, this camp will suit you perfectly. We will be on the lookout for Aurora Borealis at night throughout the whole camp, so you will have the opportunity to take photos of this amazing and unique phenomenon. It is very important to bring your camera with you (only cameras that work in long exposure will catch those lights), so don’t forget your tripod and camera.

Accomodation and food: Volunteers will be staying in the house of Worldwide Friends in Brú. The house has 12 double rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, several bathrooms, common areas, workshop rooms, and galleries. House capacity 24 Volunteers need to bring their own sleeping bags, but beds and sheets are provided. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge. 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, and dairy products.

Location: Bru500Stadur

Location and Leisure: Worldwide Friends Iceland is running a center of Environment & Sustainability near the crossroads to the West, South, and North of Iceland. The center is called BRÚ, and it is located in Hrutafjordur which is 36 km long fjord in Hunathing vestra, on the R1. Keep in mind that is a 1-hour drive to the closest city (Borganes). Based just off the main road, we are not set in a town, therefore the only way to get around is by car. Brú s stunning surrounding countryside offers the perfect tonic to relax and leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Around the house, you can find a lot of pure and unspoiled nature, waterfalls, rivers, canyons, and craters. The purpose of the center is to protect nature in the area and to raise awareness of sustainability among the locals and the visitors who are coming to the area. The area nearby is great for hiking. The best time to see aurora borealis in Iceland is between September and April. It’s when the nights are dark enough to see the Aurora. Iceland only gets 2-4 hours of daylight in midwinter, providing endless opportunities to hunt for aurora borealis. 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, or theatre – 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. WF Iceland will organize 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. 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.

Airport: KEF

Train/Bus station: BSI Bus Station

Requirements: Please make sure to bring warm outdoor work clothes Waterproof gear

09:00:00 a. m. Reykjavik City Hall, Tjarnargata 11 (Main entrance)

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 450 EUR

The first day of the camp is Arrival Day and the last day of the camp is Departure Day. The minibus will be at the meeting point in Reykjavik on the first day of the workcamp in the morning and arrive again at the Meeting point / BSI station in Reykjavik in the evening on the last day of the workcamp. Keep in mind that you need to arrange for your stay in Iceland before and after the workcamp.