This June, we had the pleasure of welcoming students and faculty from Boston University Academy for their first educational journey with GeoCamp Iceland.

As part of the programme Powering Possibility: Climate and Sustainability, students explored how climate, energy, and sustainability intersect across some of Iceland’s most dynamic landscapes. From walking between tectonic plates in Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark to visiting geothermal power plants, glacier lagoons, volcanic landscapes, and communities shaped by natural hazards, the group experienced Earth systems in action.

Along the way, students examined renewable energy, climate science, geology, and community resilience while engaging with local people, scientists, and practitioners. Field experiences at places such as Þingvellir, Heimaey, Sólheimajökull, Fjallsárlón, and Hellisheiði provided opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world challenges and solutions.

What made the experience especially meaningful was the curiosity and engagement the students brought to every conversation, hike, and field stop. Whether discussing volcanic eruptions, glacial retreat, geothermal innovation, or the future of sustainable communities, they embraced Iceland as a living laboratory for learning.

Thank you to Dr. Lizzy Karnaukh, Rose, and Dave, as well as everyone at Boston University Academy, for choosing GeoCamp Iceland for this inaugural programme. And thank you to the students for being such curious, engaged, and responsible travellers throughout the journey. We look forward to seeing where this partnership leads next.

In 2026, GeoCamp Iceland had the pleasure of welcoming students and faculty from Mercersburg Academy for the school’s first educational journey with GeoCamp Iceland. More than simply a study tour, the program reflected a shared commitment to experiential learning, student curiosity, and the belief that some of the most meaningful lessons happen far beyond the classroom walls.

What made this visit particularly unique was the philosophy behind it. Inspired by Mercersburg’s Global Programs vision, the Iceland experience was designed to be shaped by student interests and questions. Rather than following a rigid itinerary, the programme was built around flexibility, allowing students to explore topics ranging from geology and climate change to history, culture, sustainability, photography, and geopolitics. GeoCamp Iceland worked closely with Mercersburg faculty to create a journey that could adapt to the group’s interests while showcasing some of Iceland’s most dynamic landscapes and communities.

The journey began on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located within Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, where students were introduced to Iceland’s unique position atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Visits to the Bridge Between Continents, Gunnuhver geothermal area, and the volcanic landscapes surrounding recent eruptions provided an immediate and tangible connection to Earth systems in action. A guided visit to Grindavík, a community profoundly affected by recent volcanic activity, added a human dimension to discussions about natural hazards, resilience, and adaptation. Students learned not only about geology, but also about how communities respond to uncertainty and change.

Throughout the programme, Iceland itself became the classroom. In Reykjavík, students explored the country’s history and democratic traditions. At Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, they witnessed how Iceland harnesses renewable energy on a national scale, turning volcanic activity into a sustainable resource for electricity, heating, and innovation.

The group then travelled into the Icelandic highlands and South Coast, where learning became even more immersive. In Þórsmörk, surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and volcanic mountains, students experienced firsthand how Iceland’s landscapes have been shaped by the interaction of fire and ice. Hiking through this remarkable wilderness offered opportunities for reflection, observation, and a deeper appreciation of Iceland’s natural environment.

The group also walked on Sólheimajökul glacier, transforming conversations about climate change from abstract concepts into direct experience. Students could see evidence of glacial retreat, discuss changing environmental conditions, and connect global climate challenges with real-world observations. Later, visits to iconic waterfalls such as Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss illustrated the powerful relationship between Iceland’s glaciers, rivers, and landscapes.

The journey continued east to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where floating icebergs and black sand beaches offered striking visual reminders of Iceland’s constantly evolving environment. Here, students explored themes of climate, geology, and natural processes while experiencing one of Iceland’s most spectacular landscapes.

Another important chapter of the program focused on natural hazards and community resilience. In Vestmannaeyjar, students learned about the dramatic 1973 volcanic eruption that threatened the island community of Heimaey. Through visits to Eldheimar Museum and exploration of the island itself, they examined how a community responded to disaster, rebuilt, and adapted. Discussions about sustainability, resilience, and human ingenuity were brought vividly to life through local stories and experiences.

The program also highlighted Iceland’s innovative use of renewable energy and sustainable food production. At Friðheimar, students saw how geothermal energy supports greenhouse agriculture, allowing tomatoes to be grown year-round despite Iceland’s northern climate. Along the Golden Circle, visits to Gullfoss, Geysir, and Þingvellir National Park connected themes of geology, energy, history, and environmental stewardship.

Mercersburg Academy’s first visit to Iceland is a great example of true educational travel when students are given opportunities to explore real-world challenges in real-world settings. Whether standing on a glacier, discussing resilience in Grindavík, examining renewable energy systems, or hiking through volcanic landscapes, students encountered a country where science, sustainability, history, and culture intersect in visible and meaningful ways.

At GeoCamp Iceland, we were delighted to be part of this journey. We share Mercersburg’s belief that education is strongest when it combines curiosity, exploration, and reflection. Iceland’s landscapes may have provided the setting, but it was the students’ questions, conversations, and engagement that brought the experience to life.

As the Icelandic proverb reminds us, glöggt er gests augað (the eye of the visitor often sees more clearly than the eye of the host). Every group that travels with us offers fresh perspectives and new insights into the places we call home. For us, hosting educational groups is also a learning experience. Through the eyes of our visitors, we continue to discover new stories, new questions, and new ways of understanding Iceland.

We thank Mercersburg Academy for placing their trust in us for this first Iceland program and look forward to seeing how future groups shape their own versions of this remarkable journey. The landscapes may remain the same, but every group leaves its own unique imprint on the experience.

GeoCamp Iceland is pleased to contribute as an associate partner to the European Erasmus+ project EU FoodPact, a three-year initiative focused on strengthening sustainability, skills development, and resilience across Europe’s agri-food sector.

Officially launched in Reus, Spain, in May 2026, the project brings together chambers of commerce, public authorities, educational institutions, and sustainability experts from across Europe. Led by the Reus Chamber of Commerce, FoodPact seeks to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in adapting to growing sustainability requirements, changing market expectations, and the green and digital transition.

For GeoCamp Iceland, participation in FoodPact aligns closely with our ongoing work in sustainability education, systems thinking, regenerative development, and place-based learning. The project provides an opportunity to connect these approaches with practical workforce development and lifelong learning within food production, fisheries, and local value chains.

Supporting Sustainable Development in Reykjanes

The Reykjanes region has a long tradition of fisheries, seafood processing, and export-oriented food production. These sectors play a vital role in the regional economy while also facing increasing expectations related to environmental performance, certification, reporting, and sustainable resource management.

Through FoodPact, partners will develop practical tools and training pathways that help businesses better understand and improve their sustainability performance. The project will also explore how education providers, industry, and public authorities can work together to strengthen the skills needed for a more sustainable and resilient food system.

GeoCamp Iceland contributes expertise in sustainability education, outdoor learning, systems thinking, and regenerative approaches that help connect environmental responsibility with practical action and competence development.

Community Food Education Hubs

One of the project’s key innovations is the establishment of Community Food Education Hubs in participating regions. In Iceland, GeoCamp Iceland will support efforts led by SSS and the Icelandic College of Fisheries to create stronger connections between education, vocational training, industry, and community development.

The Icelandic hub is expected to build on existing strengths within the Reykjanes region, including vocational education, fisheries expertise, entrepreneurship, and sustainability initiatives. It will provide a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and experimentation around future skills, sustainable food production, and local innovation.

The initiative also complements ongoing regional efforts to support businesses and communities, including recovery and innovation activities linked to the recent challenges faced by Grindavík and the wider Reykjanes Peninsula.

By participating in FoodPact, GeoCamp Iceland contributes to a broader European effort to promote sustainable food systems while strengthening education, resilience, and local capacity for future generations.

FoodPact – Forward-Looking Partnership for Advancing Sustainable Transformation in the Agri-Food Sector is a 36-month project funded through the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101259759). The project brings together ten partners from across Europe to strengthen sustainability, skills development, and certification readiness within the agri-food ecosystem, with a particular focus on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).