Friday, 28.07.2011

Our last day in Iceland. The day began for some of us with clearing up the sitting room because we’d decided to sleep all together the last night and so there were beds, mattresses and blankets all over the main room. After breakfast we had the final conference of the simulation game during which we discussed each paragraph of the resolution, taking into consideration the proposed amendments from each nation, and finally after two hours of much debate and a few threats to a rather stubborn Russia the resolution for the new Eurojet 2020 EG turbofan engine was passed unanimously. Once this had been concluded we headed outside to take the annual group photo with the globe.
After lunch, which, like many other meals, consisted of a large consumption of peanut butter, cinnamon sugar and nutella, we had a discussion on the way forward from here. We talked about how we could keep working together to raise awareness about climate change as well as ways reduce green house gas emissions both personally and as a wider community. During this discussion we came up with some great ideas including introducing Earth Day on which different classes from each of our schools could do various activities about the environment and we would all make a presentation regarding our experiences in Iceland.

We also developed the idea of an online declaration that hopefully hundreds of people would sign as well, as decided to make a new web site for the ICE camp. Once this discussion was concluded Dirk officially ended ICE Youth-Camp 2011 and we presented the leaders with a card that we’d made for them the night before using a knife, duck tape, an old cerial box, a small pen knife and some old wrapping paper. In was written an individual thank you to each person of the team.
In the next two hours everyone did their final souvenir shopping and many of us went to another museum which had a unique exhibit featuring an alternative view of Icelandic wildlife. Then at 4:30 the bus pulled up outside the guest house, we loaded on our bags, said good-bye to Regina and set off. At the back of the bus Dirk, Sophie and Kathleen talked about everything from Lord of the Rings, to camping in the wilderness, to Scottish accents while the rest of the bus dozed off exhausted from many late nights and long hikes. Instead of going directly to the airport we took a detour in order to go and see an amazing waterfall. It was great to see one more of Iceland's beauties before leaving. While there some people flicked coins into the rushing water and made a wish. We then headed to the airport ready for the long journey home.

Kathleen (Uganda) & Aileen (Germany)