Environmental activities and tree planting in the unique Hveragerdi hot spring area

  Iceland

Reykjavik

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: Hveragerði is a small town of about 1,700 inhabitants that lies some 45 km east of Reykjavík. This friendly little community sits on top of a highly active geothermal field, providing heat to hundreds of greenhouses where fruit, flowers and vegetables are produced throughout the year; you can even find bananas growing in these houses. The name Hveragerði means hot springs garden. Geothermal energy is Hveragerðis lifeblood, and it would be difficult to find such a natural wonder in the middle of a populated area anywhere else in the world. Very interesting is Gufudalur, the lovely Steam Valley behind the town. The whole valley explodes with hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles and steaming vents.

Most of the work will be related to the environment, such as fixing walking paths, cleaning and beautifying the hot spring area in the middle of the village and/or planting trees. The work available will depend on the weather condition and thats why we have to be a bit flexible. Please keep in mind that the work might be physically hard and you should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though it will be nice most of the time, hopefully.

Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursions, such as guided hikes with locals, will be arranged.

There is an extra fee of 90 Euro that goes to support the local host of the project.

Cost in US$: USD 290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.