GeoCamp Iceland

24/08/2025

This August, we welcomed eight faculty members from Phillips Exeter Academy for a six-day journey through Iceland’s living classroom. From glacier hikes and geothermal innovation to sagas and sustainability, their trip followed in the footsteps of Exeter students who visited earlier this summer—deepening the connection between place, science, and education.

As the old Norse saying goes: “Maður er manns gaman” or “Man is the joy of man.” Thank you for the stories, the laughter, and the shared curiosity. Until next time.

15/08/2025

From glaciers to puffins, plate boundaries to midnight sun hikes — UW–Madison students experienced Iceland as their classroom with GeoCamp Iceland this summer.

Here’s what they had to say about learning in the field, connecting with nature, and exploring one of the most geologically active places on Earth.

📖 Read more reflections here: www.geocamp.is/news/students-reflect-on-their-iceland-field-study

09/08/2025

Whether you’re joining us for glaciers and geothermal energy, sagas and science, or simply the adventure of a lifetime, preparing well is the first step to making the most of your journey.

Iceland’s weather can change in minutes, so think layers, waterproofs, and sturdy shoes. Bring your curiosity, a swimsuit for those famous hot springs, and a spirit ready for exploration.

We’ve put together a full Pre-Departure Guide with everything you need to know — from packing tips and safety advice to Icelandic culture and practical travel info. You can read it here: 👉 www.geocamp.is/preparing-for-iceland.html

And before you go, take a few minutes to watch this short Iceland Academy video — it’s a fun way to get into the Iceland mindset: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ano1nvxGADc

Every step you take here will be part of the story you bring home — make sure you’re ready for the adventure.

When you travel in Iceland the weather can be unpredictable. Learn what you should pack for your trip to Iceland in this useful video. Knowing just a few bas...

04/08/2025

GeoCamp Iceland partners the Erasmus+ project On the Move. The aim of the project is to strengthen vocational education and training (VET) through hands-on learning, mobility opportunities, and practical tools for teachers and institutions across Europe.

For the next couple of years we will be contributing to the development of training materials, mobility models, and outreach to support more inclusive and meaningful learning experiences.

Read more: www.geocamp.is/news/on-the-move-project-connects-vocational-learners-to-real-world-experiences
Project website: https://vet-onthemove.eu/

ON THE MOVE The project aims to promote blended mobility by combining physical and virtual experiences, while strengthening the capacity of VET providers, intermediary organizations, and companies to support these initiatives. About Us Enhancing Apprenticeship Mobility Frameworks Across Europe To cr...

29/07/2025

GeoCamp Iceland recently took part in the dynamic PHOENIX 4.0 focus group discussions in Iceland, hosted by the Iceland Tourism Cluster. These sessions are part of a broader European effort to support tourism SMEs through transformation, sustainability, and innovation.

Seasonality, digital complexity, and financial limitations are ever-present hurdles. But equally, the focus group highlighted how sustainability, innovation, and niche tourism are opening new doors, especially in regions like Reykjanes.

Many of the companies contributing to these conversations are also our trusted partners when we welcome international student groups to Iceland. From whale watching with Elding, to immersive storytelling at 1238 The Battle Of Iceland, and unforgettable experiences with Asgard Beyond and Lava Show, these organisations are helping us turn Iceland into the world’s most dynamic classroom.

It’s inspiring to work alongside businesses that not only lead in tourism innovation, but also invest in the next generation of learners and explorers.

Learn more about PHOENIX 4.0 and how it’s helping transform the tourism sector across Europe:

🔗 https://phoenix-tourism.eu
🔗 https://lnkd.in/dm5kWm7b

25/07/2025

We were thrilled to welcome back students and faculty from West Chester University for another unforgettable GeoCamp Iceland experience this July. Over two weeks, the group explored everything from glacial lagoons and volcanic craters to geothermal power plants and tectonic rift zones—learning firsthand how Iceland’s dynamic geology shapes both land and life.

And as if timed by nature itself, their final day delivered a dramatic reminder. A fresh volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, just as they were preparing to head home. Talk about a powerful closing lesson!

Thanks for joining us again WCU. We can’t wait to see you back in Iceland’s living laboratory.

20/07/2025

Centuries before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic, explorers from Iceland had already made landfall in North America. Around the year 1000, Leifur Eiríksson reached the shores of what he called Vinland—most likely Newfoundland—where his crew found fertile land and wild grapes. At the same time, Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, one of the most remarkable women of the Viking Age, followed. She gave birth to a son, Snorri, believed to be the first European child born in the Americas.

But here’s where history and legend intertwine. Did Columbus learn about Vinland in Iceland? Records suggest he may have visited in 1477, possibly hearing tales from Icelandic fishermen and scholars that inspired his voyage west.

You can explore these stories in two excellent Icelandic museums: the Vikingworld Museum in Reykjanesbær, home to a full-scale replica of a Viking ship and exhibits on Leifur Eiríksson’s journey—and the Seafarers Museum (Sjóminjasafnið á Hellissandi) in Hellissandur, where Guðríður’s extraordinary life is brought to light among lava fields and sagas.

At GeoCamp Iceland, we bring these narratives to life through field-based learning. Because sometimes, the best place to study history ... is exactly where it happened.

16/07/2025

This June, we were thrilled to welcome back students and faculty from the University of Wisconsin–Madison for another unforgettable GeoCamp field study programme in Iceland.

Led by Dr. Sharon Thoma, the group explored everything from geothermal energy and glacial lagoons to puffin colonies and Icelandic folklore. Their core fieldwork took place in the stunning Þórsmörk valley, where students collected data on tundra biodiversity and experienced first-hand how climate and geology shape life in Iceland’s fragile ecosystems.

Along the way, they met with local scientists, storytellers, and sustainability leaders.

We’re proud to support hands-on learning in the world’s most inspiring classroom. See you again in 2026, Badgers! 🐾🇮🇸

🔗 www.geocamp.is/news/from-tundra-to-thorsmork-uw-madison-returns-to-iceland-for-field-studies-with-geocamp

14/07/2025

🌿 Tools for Greener EU Projects – Have You Tried Them Yet?

GeoCamp Iceland coordinates the Erasmus+ Green Advisor Project, working with partners across Europe to make sustainability an everyday part of project work.

We’ve just launched two free online tools designed to support anyone managing or coordinating EU projects:

✅ Self-Assessment Tool: Find out how sustainable your organisation’s habits are—plus get practical tips to improve.

🎧 Orientation Online Tool: Listen to short, easy-to-follow podcasts on topics like zero waste, sustainable travel, digital sustainability, and more. Perfect for learning on the move.

These tools are here to help project managers, educators, and coordinators integrate sustainability into all phases of their projects—from planning to implementation.

👉 Try them here: https://greenadvisor.gazi.edu.tr/Home/Index
We’d love to hear what you think!

Unlock exclusive sustainability tools, connect with eco-conscious professionals, and access EU-funded resources to transform your projects.

13/07/2025

Where the Glaciers Find a Voice: At GeoCamp Iceland, we bring students and educators to the very edges of Iceland’s retreating glaciers—places where the effects of climate change are not theoretical, but visible, immediate, and deeply felt.

But even powerful landscapes need interpretation. That’s why many of our groups begin their journey by reading "On Time and Water" by Icelandic author Andri Snær Magnason ... and often meet him in person during their programme.

Andri’s storytelling bridges science, myth, memory, and meaning. He helps our students understand that the climate crisis isn’t just about rising temperatures and vanishing ice. It’s about how we find the words to speak about what we’re losing, and how we carry those stories forward.

📘 Read our latest blog about why these conversations matter: Where the Glaciers Find a Voice on www.geocamp.is

At GeoCamp Iceland, we often describe nature as the ultimate classroom—but even the most powerful landscapes sometimes need interpretation. Melting glaciers may speak volumes, but it takes a...

12/07/2025

This powerful image comparison from Copernicus EU shows the retreat of Skeiðarárjökull glacier in southern Iceland between July 2017 and July 2025. The red line in the 2025 image marks where the glacier reached just eight years ago—a striking reminder of how quickly our landscapes are changing.

Skeiðarárjökull is one of Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers and plays a vital role in the region’s hydrological system. Known for its history of jökulhlaups (glacial outburst floods), it has helped shape the surrounding Skeiðarársandur plains over centuries. Now, its rapid retreat is shaping something else: our understanding of climate change.

At GeoCamp Iceland, we bring students and educators to these places not just to learn from the data, but to stand where the glacier once stood—to witness change, ask questions, and connect knowledge with place. Because some lessons are only truly understood in the field.

📸 Satellite imagery via
🛰 Sentinel-2, part of the Earth observation programme

09/07/2025

This May, we welcomed students and faculty from Georgian Court University for a unique faculty-led programme focused on health, wellness, and Icelandic happiness.

Students took part in lectures and site visits at the University of Iceland’s Faculty of Health Promotion and the Blue Lagoon’s R&D centre, gaining insights into Iceland’s approach to wellness, longevity, and sustainable health systems. Each day balanced learning with activities such as float therapy, sauna, cold-water bathing, hiking along black sand beaches, and mindful moments in Icelandic nature.

A heartfelt thanks to our GCU guests—you were a joy to host, and we hope to welcome you again soon.

GCU Faculty-led Study Abroad Program: Iceland 2025