The year 2024 marked a period of growth and impactful achievements for GeoCamp Iceland. As an educational institution and tour operator, we expanded our outreach and strengthened our commitment to experiential learning, sustainability, and international collaboration.

Among the year’s highlights was the signing of a new two-year cooperation agreement with Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and the Association of Municipalities in Suðurnes. This partnership aims to enhance educational initiatives, strengthen ties with schools, and utilise the unique geosites of the Reykjanes Peninsula for STEM and outdoor education. Notably, we spearheaded teacher training trips to Denmark, funded by Erasmus+, which laid the foundation for a regional STEM teacher network.

GeoCamp Iceland welcomed nearly 400 students, teachers, and professors from high schools, colleges, and universities worldwide. Our customised study tours focused on geology, renewable energy, and climate education, with participants from institutions such as the University of Southern Maine, Northern Virginia Community College, and Chaparral High School. This represented a 50% increase in activities compared to the previous year.

We continued our involvement in international projects, including Green Advisor, Geoschools, and AURORA, while concluding six major initiatives like HEDA, Upcycling, and STEM in Croatian schools. These projects highlighted our dedication to developing educational content, fostering sustainability, and supporting innovative teaching practices.

Our marketing and dissemination efforts also expanded, with the launch of a LinkedIn profile, a revamped information pamphlet, and active participation in high-profile events such as Mannamót 2024, the NCGE Conference in Phoenix, and the AGU Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. These efforts have enhanced GeoCamp Iceland’s visibility and strengthened our role as a key player in educational tourism and international collaboration.

As we look to 2025, GeoCamp Iceland remains committed to connecting students, educators, and communities with Iceland’s unique landscapes and natural resources, fostering a deeper understanding of Earth sciences, sustainability, and global challenges.
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We would like to thank all our partners and friend in Iceland, as well as around the world for making this a memorable and fruitful year. As the vikings said: 

We value your gifts and food.
​But most of all, we value your friendship.

Sigrún Svafa, Magdalena, Óli Jón & Arnbjörn

Download GeoCamp Iceland 2024 Annual Report [PDF]

Þann 17. desember síðastliðinn var undirritaður samningur um klasasamstarf milli GeoCamp Iceland og Íslenska ferðaklasans. Samningurinn var undirritaður af Arnbirni Ólafssyni, framkvæmdastjóra GeoCamp Iceland, og Ástu Kristínu Sigurjónsdóttur, framkvæmdastjóra Íslenska ferðaklasans.

Með samningnum verður GeoCamp Iceland virkur þátttakandi í klasasamstarfi íslenskra hagsmunaaðila í ferðaþjónustu þar sem markmiðið er að efla samkeppnishæfni og nýsköpun innan ferðaþjónustunnar. Þetta samstarf skapar tækifæri til að auka tengsl GeoCamp Iceland við aðra aðila í ferðaþjónustugeiranum og leggja grunn að nýjum verkefnum á sviði sjálfbærni, menntunar og vísindamiðlunar. Sérstök áhersla verður lögð á vöruþróun og ábyrgan vöxt, sem fellur vel að áherslum GeoCamp Iceland á STEM-menntun og útikennslu.

GeoCamp Iceland er fyrir stofnaðili Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark og aðili í Markaðsstofu Reykjaness. Þetta nýja samstarf við Íslenska ferðaklasann mun styðja frekari þróun verkefna á Reykjanesi og víðar.

Sixteen new projects were approved on 11th December 2024 by the Interreg NPA Monitoring Committee (www.interreg-npa.eu/apply-for-funding/calls-for-projects/5th-call-for-main-projects/). As the only project approved in priority 3.1 on Capacity building is REGENERATE, a forward-thinking three-year project designed to introduce and embed regenerative tourism practices across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region. Focused on restoring natural environments, revitalising cultural heritage, and strengthening local economies, REGENERATE is led by Visit Reykjanes in collaboration with partners including GeoCamp Iceland.
 
The Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) is a sensitive and vulnerable area that has experienced significant environmental strain due to increased tourism. REGENERATE recognises the urgent need to move beyond minimising tourism’s negative impacts and instead focus on approaches that generate positive outcomes for communities and landscapes. By fostering collaboration between public and private partners, the project will develop strategies, tools, and capacity-building measures to create a tourism sector that benefits local environments and people.
 
Arnbjörn Ólafsson, Managing Director of GeoCamp Iceland, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “The REGENERATE project represents a vital shift towards sustainable tourism. GeoCamp Iceland is proud to bring its expertise in outdoor education and science communication to this collaboration, helping to create models for tourism that give back to nature and local communities.”
 
The project brings together six partners across Iceland, Finland, Sweden, and Ireland, including GeoCamp Iceland, Olemisen Balanssia ry, Karelia University of Applied Sciences, Gold of Lapland Economic Association, and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark.
 
With a total budget of €1.194.380, including funding contributions of €776.347 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the project will run for 36 months. Together, the partners will build strategic solutions and regenerative practices that can set a sustainable example for other tourism-dependent regions.
 
GeoCamp Iceland’s participation aligns with its mission to promote sustainability, education, and responsible tourism. The project will also strengthen connections between nature, culture, and education in ways that support both visitors and host communities for years to come.

GeoCamp Iceland participated in the European project CE4RT (Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism), led by the Iceland Tourism Cluster. This initiative brought together 18 Icelandic companies with the shared goal of advancing sustainability in tourism and moving towards regenerative practices. 

The CE4RT project has been instrumental in helping our company to develop and strengthen our sustainability practices, including the creation of a comprehensive sustainability plan that includes working toward the Travelife Partner certification, a significant milestone for embedding sustainable tourism principles into our operations.
 
The project has also highlighted the value of collaboration and local networks. Connecting with a community of SMEs working on similar challenges has proven to be valuable for us, providing mentorship, shared knowledge, and practical insights into tackling sustainability goals. The “Leaders & Learners Workshop” in Iceland furthermore demonstrated how local partnerships with green-practicing, family-run businesses can make a significant impact and inspire innovation.
 
Through the project we have been able to gain tools and inspiration to not only implement regenerative practices but also share our journey as a blueprint for other companies or individuals starting their path towards a more sustainable future.

As part of the project results, GeoCamp Iceland has developed and committed towards a Sustainability Strategy available on our website here: www.geocamp.is/sustainability-strategy.html

After two years of collaboration, creativity, and dedication, the HEDA project has successfully concluded, leaving a lasting impact on educators, students, and stakeholders across Europe. Funded by the Erasmus+ programme, HEDA brought together partners from Iceland, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Serbia, and Poland to explore how theatre, literature, and visual arts can transform the way students engage with civic and social issues.

The project achieved its ambitious goals by equipping teachers with innovative methodologies to address themes such as democracy, human rights, and social justice. Through hands-on workshops, training sessions, and an accessible e-learning platform, HEDA provided educators with tools to bring these critical topics to life in their classrooms. Over 200 teachers were trained, and the methodology reached thousands of students, inspiring dialogue and fostering critical thinking in schools across Europe.

Key outputs of the HEDA project included:

• The HEDA Methodology Guidelines, offering step-by-step instructions for integrating arts-based techniques into citizenship education.
• Case Studies, featuring creative approaches to teaching civic themes, such as environmental awareness and inclusivity.
• An E-Learning Platform, ensuring the methodology is accessible to teachers beyond partner countries, with resources available in multiple languages.
• Impact Assessment Report, highlighting the significant influence of the methodology on students’ engagement, empathy, and understanding of civic issues.

Partner schools have committed to continuing the use of HEDA methodologies, and some are already working on expanding the approach through new initiatives and collaborations. In Iceland, the project has inspired an active network of educators, contributing to broader efforts to implement all schools in Reykjanes as UNESCO schools. Similarly, in Italy, participating schools are exploring new Erasmus+ proposals to build on HEDA’s foundation.

So while the HEDA project has officially concluded, its influence will continue to grow. The project materials remain freely accessible on the HEDA website, ensuring that educators worldwide can integrate these techniques into their teaching.

The HEDA partnership thanks all participants, educators, and stakeholders for their invaluable contributions. Together, we have reimagined citizenship education, creating a pathway for young people to engage deeply with the issues that shape our society. Though this chapter has ended, the spirit of HEDA lives on in classrooms and communities across Europe.

For project results please visit our website: www.heda-project.eu

Experience a unique 10-day open study tour in Iceland in July 2025, where you’ll explore geology, renewable energy, and climate change through hands-on learning and unforgettable fieldwork.

GeoCamp Iceland invites students and teachers to join an unforgettable study tour exploring Iceland’s remarkable geology, innovative renewable energy systems, and climate action initiatives.

Iceland’s dramatic landscapes—spanning active volcanoes, glaciers, and geothermal fields—serve as a natural classroom to examine Earth’s dynamic systems. Participants will delve into the science behind geothermal energy, visit cutting-edge carbon capture projects, and witness firsthand how Iceland leverages its natural resources for sustainable energy.
Designed for hands-on learning and exploration, this tour offers an incredible opportunity to connect with experts, deepen your understanding, and experience Iceland’s unique approach to addressing global challenges.

Learn more and join us on this transformative journey by visiting our Study Tour 2025 page or contact us at [email protected].