Unique
Destination
Unique
Purpose
Iceland Service
Learning Journey
Join a one-of-a-kind volunteer experience in Iceland that blends hands-on service, spiritual reflection, and cross-cultural connection. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or exploring service abroad for the first time, Compass offers a purposeful adventure alongside others committed to doing good and growing deeper. Adults of all backgrounds are welcome—come ready to get your hands dirty, meet incredible people, and discover what happens when faith, justice, and global community meet.
This will be happening October 16-23, 2026 and registration is now open to any adult. Priority is given to those associated with The Branch Church.
If you are concerned about your ability to partake in various elements of the trip, please review the details outlined throughout this page, as well as the FAQ section at the bottom of the page, or email us at info@compasspath.org with a specific question.
EXPLORE
Explore and serve alongside local partners in Akureyri, Iceland’s northern cultural capital.
From serving in the clothing store to cooking community meals—and even hosting the occasional thrift store fashion show—you’ll experience daily life in the far north while walking alongside those who faithfully serve their neighbors.
CONNECT
When was the last time you had a deep conversation? On a Compass trip, you’ll live, serve, and share meals with like-minded adults and our international partners. These connections are built by setting aside daily distractions and diving deeper—through shared work, laughter, and late-night conversations under the northern lights.
REFLECT
This isn’t just a trip—it’s a chance to pause and ask the deeper questions. Guided reflections and group conversations will help you process your experience and consider how faith, purpose, and justice intersect in your life back home.
SCHEDULE
Travel dates are set, but schedule of events while in-country is tentative, and exact events are subject to change. Further details will be provided in pre-trip trainings.
Please note: Iceland is a stunning country and a popular travel destination, but one key cultural difference is its flexible, go-with-the-flow pace. While this schedule outlines our current vision for the trip, you can expect it to shift in unexpected—and often wonderful—ways.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Participants fundraise for their Compass experiences. The fundraising goal for this trip is $1,700 per person. This includes all costs except for your flight to and from Reykjavik.
This covers food and lodging, in-country transportation, travel insurance, and all expedition and ministry expenses in country. Participants are required to arrange and cover the cost of getting to Iceland.
WHAT ABOUT MY FLIGHT?
Participants are responsible for their travel arrangements to and from Iceland. This lets people from all over the country join, gives you flexibility in costs if you want to travel light, and allows you to stay longer for sightseeing. When booking your flights, remember:
You will fly in and out of Keflavik International Airport (KEF).
Your arrival time at the KEF airport should be no later than 9 am on Saturday, October 17th. Most flights are overnight, so this means you will likely be departing the US the evening of October 16th. Return flights should leave no earlier than 3pm on Friday, October 23rd.
Flight prices start from $450, and can go up based on when you buy them and how much luggage you bring.
Compass will provide transportation from the airport to our location in Reykjavik and Akureyri.
If flying from Boston (or most US airports), we recommend you use Icelandair.
IMPORTANT: The name on your ticket and date of birth must match your passport exactly, and your passport must be valid through April 2027; otherwise, you may not be allowed in the country. If you need to apply for a passport, do so immediately. You may need a visa if you don’t hold a US passport. Check out this page for details regarding passports and visas.
Compass is happy to provide further guidance and assistance as you book your travel.
Your spot on the trip will be secured once you have filled out your registration form, completed an interview, and paid a non-refundable $250 deposit. This deposit counts toward the $1,700 total amount.
Frábært (GREAT)! Let’s do this!
Once you register for the trip below, Compass will connect with you to schedule a 20-minute interview.
What do we actually do when we’re in Iceland?
Our approach to international service is that we do whatever is needed of us. The frontlines of compassion services present ever-changing needs. Compass is in constant communication with our Icelandic counterparts. We prepare each group for the specific work that's needed when we arrive.
For this particular trip, we will spent a majority of our time making daily hot meals for the community and helping with tasks in the used clothing store.
Our service in Iceland isn't just about doing; it's about being. This is a service-learning trip with the goal of helping you grow in your sense of purpose. We practice intentional presence and living our personal values during all portions of the trip. Many meaningful moments will come from relationships and exploring rather than specific tasks.
Important Dates
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Registration is now open, and will remain open until all available spots on the trip have been taken.
Your spot in the program is not secured until you have submitted your registration form, done an interview, and paid your $250 deposit.
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These meetings are a mandatory component of the Iceland trip for all participants. Please be sure to save these dates and block them off.
Dates are still being finalized.
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The total cost of the trip is $1,700
50% of the funds are due August 31st
100% of the funds are due October 1st
For those who choose to use Compass’ fundraising feature, these dates still apply.
FAQ’s
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Our group will be staying in apartments in Akureryi on the nights of Sunday, October 18th- Thursday, October 22nd. On Friday, October 23rd we will be staying in a hostel in the Reykjavik region.
We will have shared rooms and living spaces during this trip. Couples or friends traveling together can request to share rooms.
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Most of our meals will be eaten at the Salvation Army, some will be prepared by our own team.
On our medical form, we will ask about dietary restrictions and will use that information to plan meals accordingly.
On a couple of occasions, we will go out to eat or order from local restaurants.
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Compass is well-equipped to navigate various dietary restrictions/food allergies. We have had at least one person with some kind of dietary restriction on every trip we’ve taken.
Compass is committed to making trips as accessible as possible, and we will make as many accommodations as possible to support our participants. We will ask all participants to fill out a medical form, and it is very important that you list any and all medical conditions you have so that we can best support you.
There will be access to a refrigerator for anyone who needs it for medical purposes.
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Compass will provide all participants with a personalized fundraising page that will allow them to collect donations. Compass will provide various supports and resources as well to help with the fundraising process.
Additional financial aid may be available. Email bryn.clark@compasspath.org for more information.
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No, but…
While this trip doesn’t involve dangerous situations, intense physical labor, or extreme heat, there are still components of the trip that could prove to be strenuous or overwhelming.
We ask that each individual fully understand what the trip involves and decide for themselves if they believe it is something they are up for.
Some things to consider:
There is a significant time zone difference, and jetlag can be exhausting.
While we encourage everyone to take breaks and rest throughout the program, service is a key component of the trip. Pouring out to others can be very tiring.
On a couple of days, we do a significant amount of walking. There are ways that we may be able to adjust the amount of walking to accommodate anyone with limited mobility, but it could mean being separate from the group.
Iceland has great healthcare facilities. There is a hospital located less than 10 minutes away from where we will be staying should any medical needs arise.
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The CDC doesn’t currently require travelers from the US to Iceland to get any vaccinations beyond what is recommended for the general public. Compass highly recommends that all participants get the COVID-19 vaccination and stay up to date on booster shots due to the nature of the program, but it is not a requirement.
As for documents, all participants must have a passport valid for at least six months after our travel dates (so it must be valid through at least January 2027). If you are a US passport holder, no additional documentation is necessary. If you are a citizen of another country and don’t hold a US passport, you may need a visa in order to enter Iceland. Additionally, if you are in the US on a visa, you would need to double check that the visa will allow you to exit and re-enter the US. For more details on how to apply for or renew a US passport, as well as details on obtaining a visa for non-US citizens, please review the information here and reach out to Olivia with any questions. Applying for visas and passports can take several months, so if you need either a visa or a passport, you must apply for one immediately to ensure you will be able to travel.
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Included in the price of the program is traveler’s insurance that Compass will purchase. You should still bring a copy of your health insurance card with you on the program.