This is the General Information Sheet for SEEDS workcamps in 2013. You will receive a specific information sheet about your workcamp alongside this. It is important that you read BOTH information sheets (specific and general) before you come to Iceland, to be fully prepared for your time here and your participation in SEEDS’ workcamps.

Contents:

1. About SEEDS 2. SEEDS & Participation fees - Where your contributions go! 3. SEEDS workcamps - Life during a SEEDS workcamp

3.1 Team Structure 3.2 The Work 3.3 Food and Accommodation 3.4 Free Time & Excursions from Reykjavík 3.5 Transport to/from workcamps 3.6 Conditions of Participation 4. What to bring with you

5. Insurance - EEA and non EEA 6. Travel to Iceland & Reykjavík 7. Arrival and Departure dates 8. Accommodation (in Reykjavík) 9. Other Practical Information 10. If you have any problems….

Workcamps Season 2013 www.seeds.is volunteer@seeds.is

General Information Sheet - SEEDS Workcamps

1. About SEEDS Founded in 2005, SEEDS Iceland is an Icelandic non-governmental, non-profit volunteer organisation designed to promote intercultural understanding, environmental protection and awareness through work on environmental, social and cultural projects within Iceland. SEEDS works closely with local communities, local authorities and other Icelandic associations both to develop projects in partnership, aimed at fulfilling an identified need, and to give vital assistance to established initiatives. Projects are designed to be mutually beneficial to all involved: the volunteers, the local hosting communities and Iceland as a whole. Our projects in Iceland are supported by the local hosts and the volunteers participating in the project themselves; additionally we receive strong support for our long-term projects from the Youth In Action and Lifelong learning programmes of the European Commission. During 2012 we organised about 120 projects located in every corner of Iceland; we hosted more than 1000 international volunteers from 50 different countries, performing about 75.000 hours of valuable volunteer work. In this time we increased our work with various environmental and conservation projects, we increased the number of projects related to culture, cultural activities, festivals and sports gatherings, and experimented with a number of new project concepts, including language and environmental education projects. Volunteers performed different types of tasks, for instance ecological research, removing invasive plant growth, building hiking trails, cleaning up the coastline, reforestation and erosion control work as well as construction or renovation of community buildings, monuments and community centres. In the cultural/festival related jobs, SEEDS came into action by helping in the organisation of the events and also taking an active part in them. SEEDS also works to promote sustainable tourism in local communities, supporting the local economy and helping to keep small and remote towns alive. SEEDS’ philosophy We enable our volunteers to get to know Iceland from a different perspective, to meet the locals and have an insight into Icelandic culture, learn new skills, gain international understanding, make new friends all over the world, and give something back to the environment; thus, the mutual rewards for the volunteers, communities and ecosystems are massive. Through our Environmental Messengers program, SEEDS also shares environmental messages with the international and local participants in our projects.

2. SEEDS & Participation fees - Where your contributions go! Participation fees are required in order to take part in our workcamps. These help to support the ongoing work of SEEDS.

Please note that your entire fee might not necessarily go towards your particular workcamp. The fees collected by SEEDS are mainly used to: - Bear the administrative expenditures of the association: salaries, rent, office bills (energy, phone,

electricity, insurance, heating), personnel, external representation, mail, website, postage, equipments, supplies, banking costs, legal formalities, etc.

- Provision of financial support and resources to aid develop of some of our other activities (to pay food or accommodation in some of the projects, where the hosts do not provide it, co-funding for our long-term voluntary service projects and the development of particular sessions in the camps).

- Cover other costs associated with your workcamp/transportation, e.g. food/accommodation costs,

rental/fuel costs, administrative costs and also supporting costs of the long term volunteers and project coordinators.

SEEDS also charges for other services such as transport to/from workcamps and occasionally for trips, any remainder of these fees which do not cover the service directly are also used to fund the running of the organisation. Most European organisations similar to SEEDS raise funds by sending volunteers abroad and charging outgoing volunteers a registration fee; while we in Iceland face a particular challenge for two reasons: voluntary service is not very attractive to Icelanders yet, and the Icelandic population is very small, so the number of volunteers sent by SEEDS overseas does not represent sufficient income to run our association. Furthermore, SEEDS does not receive any regular government funding, or financial support from our local, regional or national authorities.

SEEDS is a non-profit organisation, and all funds go back into improving the quality and service we provide to our volunteers and hosts, expanding the range of SEEDS projects and carrying out projects in areas where funds are not available to the local hosts or to provide food and accommodation to the volunteers. Thanks to the fees contributed by our participants we are able to run the association and to offer the programme of varied projects all year round. In the meantime SEEDS is also taking action to send Icelanders overseas and to raise funds in different ways, to expand the sources of income for the organisation. The amount of the fees will be stated in each specific workcamp description. The fees we charge are different depending on the season of the year and the demand for particular projects; during the summer they are higher as we have a greater demand for this short period and it is the time when SEEDS raises most of its income to sustain the association for the whole year. During the time that we have fewer participants in our projects, we reduce the fees to promote and increase the number of volunteers. This is not only reflected in our projects but also the amount of visitors to the country reduces during some periods of the year and so the costs.

3. SEEDS workcamps - Life during a SEEDS workcamp SEEDS’ workcamps are our primary field of activities. The following section will explain what you can expect from our workcamps and what we expect of you as a volunteer. 3.1. Team Structure SEEDS aims to structure its workcamp team with one Workcamp Leader, an Environmental Messenger (in some of our projects), a local host, and of course a group of short-term volunteers for each project. Their roles are described here: Leader: The leader acts as a link between the volunteers and the local host, they are there to enable and encourage the volunteers in the work on the project provided by the host, to ensure both parties are satisfied with the outcome of the project. They will also take a role in the coordination of the camp duties, such as cooking and cleaning, and help to arrange free time activities. Environmental Messenger: The specific role of the messenger is to facilitate discussion and action with respect to local and global environmental issues. They may organise activities like presentations, debates, games or actions to increase knowledge and consideration of environmental issues. They will also encourage campers to behave in an environmentally considerate way during the camp, and hopefully to take these ideas back with them to their homes. They are not there to lecture or preach to you about environmental issues, but to facilitate mutual learning and intercultural understanding during the camp. Local Host(s): The local host (or hosts) is usually the person who provides the work, food and accommodation in the projects, although sometimes this is provided by SEEDS itself, where facilities or funds are unavailable. The host will also often help to arrange free time activities in the camps, and to help facilitate the inclusion of volunteers in the local community. Short Term Volunteers: It is important not to forget your role within the SEEDS team. You are just as much part of the team as the other long-term SEEDS volunteers, and have as much, if not more influence over the success of the camp. Your contribution to SEEDS as an organisation, to the work of the camp, and to the dynamics of the group, is greatly appreciated by the SEEDS team, by the local host, and by the other workcampers. Be creative! SEEDS welcomes your ideas and input, especially when presenting your country for the international evening. Don’t forget to bring your culinary/cultural ingredients! Both the messenger and leader are volunteers just like you, and will take an active role in the workcamp as well as fulfilling the duties of their specific roles. They always appreciate any support you can give them! Ultimately, all involved parties will try their best to ensure your Icelandic experience will be an unforgettable one!

3.2. The Work SEEDS offers a wide range of projects on a wide range of environmental, cultural, social and creative topics. The work in the camps will vary significantly from project to project, and more information about the specifics can be found in the Specific Information Sheet you will receive about the project of your choice. However there are a number of issues which apply to many of the camps we offer. Work might be physically demanding and energy consuming. Sometimes working sites will be located far from lodging facilities and may have to be reached by foot; you may also be required to carry tools or equipment to the sites with you. We will work maximum five days a week, between seven (7) and eight (8) hours a day. Weekends are usually free but if requested by the hosting partner, we might work during the weekend and get two (2) days off during the usual working days, Monday to Friday. The group of participants may be divided according to the tasks to be done in different sites and often the work will be performed by couples or individually in different areas close to each other. As our working sites may be sometimes outside during the day, volunteers shall pay special attention to the section “What to take with you”. Clothing and footwear plays a key role while spending many hours outdoors in Iceland. Weather conditions can change dramatically during the day and volunteers may encounter very different conditions throughout the working day. 3.3. Food and Accommodation on workcamps Food: Food in the workcamp will be provided either by the local host, or by SEEDS. You will be provided with enough food and a good variety to live comfortably for the duration of the camp. You will not be required to spend your own money on food. If, however, there are certain ‘luxury’ products that you can’t live without, which are not provided by SEEDS, or if you want to eat out in a restaurant, you would need to pay for that yourself. Vegetarians can also be accommodated as long as you inform SEEDS in advance. In most workcamps food will be prepared by you and your fellow volunteers. You will be expected to take your fair share of the cooking and cleaning duties for the workcamp. These duties are considered extra to the volunteer work and do not fall into the specified ‘working time’ of the project. Food for the international evening: SEEDS’ camps always contain an intercultural element surrounding the cuisine of volunteers’ home countries, whether that is an ‘international evening’ or simply themed meals throughout the camp. SEEDS is happy to provide specific ingredients to help you to share your culinary culture and you can ask your camp leaders to provide these. However, some of these ingredients are difficult to get hold of in Iceland, or are expensive and do not fall under the SEEDS budget, it is hoped that you can provide these yourself. In most cases we would recommend you to bring these items from your home country. Concerning maximal legal allowances and special goods, please read here to avoid problems with the customs when entering the country. SEEDS and your fellow workcampers will greatly appreciate it, if you bring products from home to share - this is one easy way to make the camp more enjoyable for all.

Accommodation: During the workcamps, SEEDS will provide you with all accommodation and with facilities needed to live comfortably. More detailed information about the accommodation of your camp can be found in the camp details sent with this general infosheet. You will not be expected to pay extra for any accommodation during your stay with SEEDS at the project. Accommodation varies significantly from camp to camp, you may be accommodated in anything from a tent or school classroom even to a comfortable hotel with your own room (but that is quite unusual!). There are certain things, which SEEDS and our Local Hosts hope to provide to every workcamper, and which you should be able to expect. Either SEEDS or the local host will provide a mattress for you to sleep more comfortably. You will have access to washing facilities, showers and in almost every case laundry facilities. You will as well have access to a kitchen and dining area, or be provided with ready prepared food. In most cases accommodation will be shared. In SOME cases it will not be possible to separate girls and boys, if this will be a problem for you, please make sure you contact us to check about your specific workcamp before you arrive. SEEDS does not provide sleeping bags. It is important that you bring a warm, good quality sleeping bag, even in summer the temperature in Iceland can drop suddenly compared to your home country. If you require a pillow to sleep, you must bring your own. It is important that you are able to sleep well during the camp in order to get the most out of your experience and to make your contribution to the work of the camp. 3.4. Free Time & Excursions from Reykjavík It may be that SEEDS or the local host will arrange activities for you during the free time. If you prefer to organise your own activities, this is also possible, and SEEDS and the host will do all they can to help you arrange what you want. The philosophy of SEEDS and the workcamps is to encourage volunteers to spend most of the free time together, to create a strong group where nobody is excluded. Daytrips and Excursions from Reykjavík: SEEDS can help volunteers organise certain daytrips and excursions at discount fares. These daytrips can take place on the free days within SEEDS’ workcamps in Reykjavík or in the days spent in the city before or after the workcamps (for those camps located far away from Reykjavík).

SEEDS’ daytrips and excursions from Reykjavík The Golden Circle 35 € (Euros) or ISK 6000 The Blue Lagoon (incl. entrance fee September - May) 40 € (Euros) or ISK 7000 The Blue Lagoon (incl. entrance fee June - August incl.) 50 € (Euros) or ISK 8500 The Blue Lagoon (Not including entrance fee) 15 € (Euros) or ISK 2500 The South shore 50 € (Euros) or ISK 8500 The Reykjanes peninsula 35 € (Euros) or ISK 6000 The Snæfellsness peninsula 60 € (Euros) or ISK 10000 Hot river hike 15 € (Euros) or ISK 2500 Mount Esja hike 13 € (Euros) or ISK 2000 Whale Watching with Elding 2 for 1 for SEEDS (50%) discount

We ask volunteers for a contribution fare which is 30 to 50% lower than with regular excursion companies or tour operators. Furthermore, our excursions are more flexible, as stops can vary according

to the agreement of the group and the driver. We still want to underline, SEEDS is not a travel agency and we do not have special guides in the excursions! We would like to offer this to our volunteers as a way for them to travel together in a cheaper way and to support SEEDS in its fund-raising efforts. The fares may sometimes be higher than the cost of the minibus hire, petrol and running costs themselves, other times we may make a loss; any excess fees from the minibus can be used to cover the cost of other journeys where a loss is made, or to cover the general costs of running SEEDS. Please note that if your project is outside Reykjavík we can only organize them if the location is within 50 Kilometers of the city. These excursions are usually organized for the groups once the volunteers are in Iceland. To be able to organize them, a minimum of 5 people is required. 3.5. Transport to/from our workcamps For our workcamps outside Reykjavík, you usually have two options to get there: either to make your own way to the camp, or to join our minibus option. SEEDS is aware that transportation around Iceland is often difficult and expensive and offers ‘the minibus option’ in order to make your trip to your workcamp more enjoyable by meeting your fellow volunteers sooner and stopping on the journey to see some of the sights on the way and thus giving you the possibility to save money. Before the workcamp SEEDS researches the public transport options for getting to/from the camp. The cost of our minibus option is calculated to be at least 10-20% lower than the cheapest option for public transportation available. Sometimes this means that the cost of the transportation reflects the cost of the minibus hire, petrol and running costs, other times we may make a loss; any excess fees from the minibus can be used to cover the cost of other journeys where a loss is made, or to cover the costs of running SEEDS. The fare for the minibus option will be written in the detailed information of each project and it will be collected during the first day of the camp in cash, alongside the participation fees. The meeting point will be in Reykjavík on the first day of the camp, usually in the morning at SEEDS accommodation. You will receive a receipt for all your contributions to SEEDS at the end of the year. If you still prefer to make your own way to the camp, SEEDS can help you to find the cheapest way, or you can check the links section on our website for more useful contacts. SEEDS does not actively encourage people to use domestic flights in Iceland unless absolutely necessary. More Information: You will receive another file with detailed information on your workcamp (‘Specific Information Sheet’). You may also be able to find more information about your workcamp on our website www.seeds.is, as many of our workcamps are run every year. You can find pictures and reports in the galleries and news sections. You can also browse the frequently asked questions FAQs section at our site and find more info on Iceland through our links section.

3.6. Conditions of Participation. In order to be fully aware of your responsibilities during the workcamp, please read carefully the following:

• You are expected to be an active member of the group and contribute to work, housekeeping and free time activities.

• You are expected to work seven to eight hours per day, five days per week, on a voluntary basis.

• Your independence will be respected during the camp but the camp-leader has the ultimate responsibility for you and your safety during our workcamp in Iceland thus they will have to sort out the problems if you get lost or injured. If you wish to do an activity independently of the group, you must discuss it with the camp leaders and they must be fully aware of your plans.

• You should not spend the night away from the camp, nor host other people at the workcamp.

• Your camp-leaders have been trained to run the workcamp; they are responsible for organising work, food, contacts with local authorities/hosts and many other things. Do not forget that they are volunteers like you, so try to co-operate with them at work and during free time activities. Camp-leaders are not fully responsible for organising your free time and they welcome your ideas and contributions.

• Smoking is not allowed in the accommodation areas. Use of alcohol should be moderate; it should be done with consideration and only during free time.

• You are expected to stay for the whole duration of the workcamp. If you MUST leave early or arrive late, you should contact SEEDS in advance.

• Keep in mind that the use of any kind of illegal drugs is strictly forbidden.

• Volunteers without insurance will not be allowed to participate in our projects.

• SEEDS does not accept any kind of discrimination in our workcamps and such cases will be strictly dealt with.

We would like to remind you, that SEEDS is NOT an alternative travel agency; our Workcamps are not cheap holidays. Therefore we expect a high level of motivation from every volunteer, cooperation, flexibility and open-mindedness! Our workcamps are based on self-organisation and self-management and this is also what makes them unique and enriching! Please do not expect the leader to organise everything for you; be ready to contribute with your own ideas and personality. We are open to feedback and constructive criticism. Alcohol consumption while on SEEDS’ camps As long as it does not cause a disturbance to the other volunteers, rules set out by the local host, and as long as you do not break Icelandic law, you may drink alcohol on SEEDS camps. Please be aware that Icelandic alcohol law is fairly strict, you must be over 20 to drink alcohol, you can only buy alcohol in specific shops which have limited opening hours, and that alcohol is heavily taxed and therefore very expensive in Iceland. When travelling to Iceland you are allowed to bring duty free within the limits set by Iceland’s customs. More information can be found at www.dutyfree.is and here.

4. What to bring with you When packing for your trip to Iceland, please remember that the weather is extremely changeable; you may find yourself working in different weather conditions within the space of a few hours. It is essential that you bring adequate protection against the sun and also plenty of extra layers of clothing in case it is cold. It is important to remember that we sometimes work in isolated places so you should bring everything you think you will need for the duration of the project, as it may not be possible to get additional supplies during the project. Here is a list that might help you when packing:

o A good quality and warm sleeping bag. Nights may be chilly, even in summer. o Warm clothes as good hat, gloves and scarf. o Old, comfortable clothes to work. Please note that jeans are not ideal for this, as they will not

keep you warm if they get wet. Clothes for working that you don’t mind getting dirty/tainted. o Work/Walking shoes. They should be sturdy, safe and comfortable. Preferably waterproof

when your workcamp involves outdoor work. o Waterproof jacket and trousers for both work and free time. o Slippers/indoor footwear (Uwabaki). It is a custom in Iceland to take off your shoes at homes. o Sunhat, high factor sun cream, lip salve and sunglasses. Protection from the sun. o Towel and swimming costume. Iceland has many outdoor pools and we surely will have the

opportunity to visit some of them. o Camera, films/memory cards, batteries and cable/card-reader. We may also organise a

photo contest among our volunteers. o Music & Instruments. If you play an instrument and it fits easily in your luggage, please bring it

along. Also take CDs, MP3s, etc. o Games… Board, card games and other items for entertainment during free time; Sports

equipment. o Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, contact lens liquids, lip balm etc, (but

most can be bought in Reykjavík). o Medication. Take with you enough medication (if you have any particular prescribed) to last for

your stay in Iceland. o Information about your country (pictures/books), typical items e.g. food and/or drinks,

recipes (for the International evening)… o Other items that may be important such as your books, binoculars, pocket-knife, thermos.

Our hosting partners and SEEDS try the best to guarantee that all of our workcamps run within strict health and safety norms. However, if you are uncomfortable with any aspect of health and safety on the project, please let your camp leader, or team responsible for the project, know about your concerns.

5. Insurance Volunteers MUST obtain health and accident insurance for the whole duration of their travel before arrival in Iceland. You must bring all necessary documents, contact numbers, etc. with you. Depending where you are from, please read the relevant section below on obtaining insurance for your project. Residents of the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland Iceland is part of the EEA so volunteers residing in the European Union or in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland benefit here from the use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), having access to the Icelandic Health system as in any European country in the same conditions as Icelandic citizens and will be treated on the same basis as a resident of Iceland. The EHIC allows volunteers to access state-provided healthcare in Iceland at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. Every volunteer from an EEA country should have a valid EHIC, and carry it with them when coming to Iceland. Applying for the card is free and it's valid for up to five years. Presenting the EHIC entitles them to treatment that may become necessary during the stay here. Some treatments need the patient to pay a small fee towards the treatment even with an EHIC. Volunteers may be able to seek reimbursement for this cost back at home. The EHIC is NOT an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation or lost or stolen property. For more information on the EHIC, please visit this site. Here below you can see pictures of the card: Front Back

The EHIC replaces the previously used forms, in particular the well known E 111. SEEDS itself does not provide insurance for international volunteers, therefore volunteers without insurance will not be allowed to participate in our projects. Non EEA Residents (rest of the world) If you are travelling from outside the EEA, you must seek private medical/travel insurance for the duration of your stay. It is strongly advised that this is obtained before leaving your country of residence, as the cost of insuring you in Iceland will be much higher. Your insurance must cover you for all medical eventualities, and it is advised that it should cover any medical healthcare or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation or lost or stolen property. Please find below some useful link for insurance providers: www.worldnomads.com www.hthtravelinsurance.com www.globalrescue.com www.axa-schengen.com www.shortbreakinsurance.com www.worldwideinsure.com www.worldescapade.com/ If you cannot prove that you have insurance on arrival, you will not be allowed to take part in our workcamps.

6. Travel to Iceland - Coming to Iceland and to Reykjavík We suggest our volunteers to research travel with different airlines/alternatives as fares for different companies may vary significantly according to the dates of travel. There are 5 airlines flying to Keflavík (Reykjavík) International Airport all year round:

1. Iceland Air: www.icelandair.net 2. Wow Air: www.wow.is 3. EasyJet - www.easyjet.com 4. Scandinavian Airlines(SAS): www.scandinavian.net www.flysas.com www.flysas.is 5. Norwegian - www.norwegian.no

To check the map routes and destinations for Icelandair & Wow Air please click to:

Wow Air route map or Icelandair route map Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)& Norwegian might be a good option for volunteers coming from Northern Europe and the Baltic countries (direct flights from Oslo) Apart from these 5 airlines, there will be few others flying to Iceland during the summer 2013:

1. Air Berlin: www.airberlin.com 2. Air Greenland www.airgreenland.com 3. Austrian Airlines: www.austrian.com 4. Delta Airlines: www.delta.com 5. Germanwings: www.germanwings.com 6. Lufthansa : www.lufthansa.com 7. NIKI www.flyniki.com 8. Transavia France www.transavia.com 9. Travel Service: 10. Primera Air

www.travelservice.aero/en/ www.primeraair.com

Volunteers might find good deals and help with connecting flights and general trip planning at:

www.skyscanner.net www.dohop.com www.edreams.com www.ebookers.com www.opodo.com www.kayak.com

Last, if volunteers have plenty of time to spare, the Smyril Line operates a ferry service to the east of Iceland. This is a four to seven day sea adventure for travellers and stops off at the Faroe Isles on the way! (www.smyril-line.com) Transport from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík The easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport in Keflavík to Reykjavík city is to take the Airport Express from the Grey Line or the Flybus from Reykjavík Excursions. Currently, the Airport Express of the GreyLine is less expensive (ISK 2080 one way and ISK 3800 for the return journey with drop-off). Both companies leave from the airport 35 - 40mins after each flight has landed, so even if you are travelling late at night, or your plane is delayed you will be able to catch this bus to Reykjavík. The journey from the airport to the bus station in Reykjavík takes around 45 minutes. Passengers are dropped off either at Laekjargata bus station (Airport Express) or at BSÍ bus station (Flybus); if you buy the additional service then at a hotel, hostel or guesthouse in Reykjavík city centre.

There are two options with the Airport shuttles, either transfer to their stations (Laekjargata or BSÍ) which is cheaper or to a guesthouse, hotel or hostel. Tickets can be bought online before departure, or in the Keflavík Airport terminal. Tickets cannot be bought on the bus. See www.flybus.is or www.airportexpress.is for more information and details. If you are staying at SEEDS accommodation in Hverfisgata 92b, we recommend you to ask for drop-off at the Fosshotel Baron (or Baron Hotel) at Baronsstigur 2-4. SEEDS accommodation is few steps away. To see more details, please read here If you take the additional shuttle service, please let the person know in the airport when you are buying the ticket; if you buy the bus only to their stations it is a bit cheaper but you may have to walk to SEEDS accommodation. You can pay for the bus in cash in ISK, Euros or you can use your debit or credit card. 7. Arrival and Departure dates Volunteers participating in our projects should arrive to Iceland the latest one day before the workcamp starts, as travel to the project, if arranged by SEEDS (see point 6 below), will leave Reykjavík on the first day of the camp in the morning.

If volunteers choose to go by different means, they might need more than one day to reach the destination by public transportation services. In the same way, volunteers shall not book their return journey the day the camp ends, the earliest one day after the camp finishes. In this way volunteers ensure they will be able to join the camp for its full length. Participants in our camps in Reykjavík do not need to arrive one day earlier to Iceland as they can reach the accommodation the same day of arrival.

From former volunteers’ feedback you should consider staying longer in Iceland; before or/and after the project. Volunteers may group together and decide to travel the country and visit different areas to those of the project itself. 8. Accommodation (in Reykjavík) Volunteers do not need to book any accommodation for the period of the camp, as SEEDS provides accommodation and food during the project, but you will need accommodation on the days before or/and after the workcamp.

As mentioned in point 7, in order to be able to join the projects on time and fully, volunteers should arrive to Iceland the latest one day prior to the starting date of the camp and leave the country the earliest one day after the camp ends.

SEEDS can organise sleeping bag accommodation in Reykjavík for stays before or after the workcamp; it is a shared sleeping bag accommodation in dorms in a centrally located house in downtown Reykjavík. The house is equipped and volunteers have access to kitchen and washing machine facilities.

The cost per night is: - From October 1 to April 30 - € 13,-

- From May 1 to September 30 - € 18,-

Details will be sent with the acceptance of the volunteer and the detailed Information Sheet. The fee does not cover any food; it covers only the sleeping/ accommodation.

If you want to reserve accommodation for stays before and/or after your project, please inform us in advance as places are limited. Send an email to reservations@seeds.is letting us know when you want to stay, dates and number of nights.

Details on how to reach SEEDS accommodation can be found here. When you reserve, you will receive information on the code to enter the house and how to get access to it.

9. Other Practical Information

To see the current exchange rates of the Icelandic crown against other currencies, please go

Money The Icelandic currency is the “Króna” (plural: “Krónur”) (ISK). Bank notes are issued in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000 & 5000 krónur. The coins in circulation are 100, 50, 10, 5 & 1 krónur.

Foreign exchange

It is possible to exchange money in the Arrivals Hall at Keflavík Airport (The “Change Group Iceland” desk is open 24 hours). Keep all your exchange receipts, as you may need to produce them when changing krónur back. At the airport it is possible to change travellers’ cheques and you can also change them at banks and major hotels and even some restaurants and travel bureaux. There are also cash machines in the arrivals area and in main towns.

Please be aware that our camps are often quite a long way from banks/ATMs. We recommend that you use the opportunity to change money or obtain the cash that you require when travelling through major towns. However, you can pay by card for almost everything in Iceland, so if you have a card, you will almost never get stuck.

here.

Credit and Debit cards

These are used widely in Iceland throughout the country. Almost everything can be paid for using cards. The main debit cards used are; Electron and Maestro which can also be used at ATMs. Visa and MasterCard are the major credit cards in Iceland. Many banks will charge a commission for this service, if you are unsure; we recommend that you check with your bank before you travel.

Bringing cash with you

Though we are often asked, it is extremely difficult for us to suggest how much spending money you should bring with you. Once you have joined the group at the meeting point, you will only really need money for things like the days off activities, drinks, eating out, souvenirs and for some additional excursions. If you don’t want to spend much money while on the camp, this is perfectly possible, as all food and accommodation is provided, but you will need your own money for any extras you require.

Weather and daylight

In different parts of Iceland you can experience very different weather conditions throughout the year. Average temperatures in July and August can span from -5°C to 15°C in the Westfjords. In Reykjavík, however, average temperatures vary from 9°C to 14°C. For local weather conditions check

- How cold will it be?

An important characteristic of Icelandic weather is how quickly it changes. The summer is mild with temperatures usually between 12°C and 15°C, sometimes reaching up to 20°C, but even in July temperatures can occasionally fall below zero. Visitors should be sure that their clothing and equipment can cope with the full range of Icelandic weather.

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Daylight in summer

From the end of May to the beginning of August, there are nearly 24 hours of daylight in Reykjavík, while in the northern part of the country the sun barely sets at all. This makes for a very interesting night-time atmosphere and while some people find that this upsets their sleeping patterns, others enjoy the 24 hour sun. If you think that this may be a problem, please bring an eye mask to help you sleep. But the light also has great benefits, and the interplay of light and shadows on mountains, lava fields and glaciers yields an ever changing landscape.

10. If you have any problems… Sometimes not everything works as planned… So in case you have any additional questions, comments, remarks or if you have difficulties already in Iceland, please do not hesitate to contact us at: SEEDS Iceland Grettisgata 3a 101 Reykjavík Iceland Send us an email at volunteer@seeds.is or visit our website at www.seeds.is Or in case of emergency, please call Oscar at +354 7713300 or Juditka at +354 7713313

If you want to check some pictures from our projects in the last years, please visit:

www.seeds.is/galleries

You can also follow SEEDS on facebook at

www.facebook.com/seedsiceland

and www.facebook.com/volunteer.workcamps.iceland

We are very much looking forward to meeting you here and of course to having a

great time with you all in Iceland!!