Join a DB trip leader, Shelby Mehring, Christian Science Practitioner, Steve Creighton and 16 other 20s/30s on this amazing adventure exploring the southern region of Iceland.
For: Christian Scientists in their 20s/30s and their friends who are willing to dive into Christian Science discussions, support each other and the group by being patient, flexible and willing to help prepare and clean up group meals. Group travel always takes more time than solo or small group travel, but it can be a lot of fun with an inclusive easy-going group.
Cost: Registration is $1,740 USD with a $240 non-refundable deposit paid with a debit/credit card to secure your spot. Your spot will not be confirmed until Shelby Mehring has been in touch with you. Half of the payment is due May 1, 2023. Full payment is due July 31, 2023. Cost includes all meals (vegetarian or fish/meat) from lunch on Sunday, September 17th to lunch on Saturday, September 23rd, accommodation, and activities outlined in the tentative itinerary below. The registration cost does not include flights.
Additional Costs: We recommend that you purchase personal travel insurance for this trip. If you have special dietary requirements beyond being a vegetarian, you’ll need to bring what you need with you. We’ll also be going to a discount supermarket mid-week for you to buy additional items, if needed. The food provided will be simple, as food is expensive in Iceland. If you have specific food/snack choices, feel free to pack foods you like. Also, activities on our free day are not included.
Financial Aid: Financial Aid is also available up to $600 toward registration and up to $320 toward travel on a need basis. If the amount you’ve been granted does not meet your financial needs for this event and you choose to cancel your registration, you need to notify us at dbinfo@discoverybound.org within 48 hours of being notified of the amount granted. If canceling, you will be refunded your deposit with the exception of a $25 cancellation fee. Register before completing the Financial Aid Form.
Financial Aid | Payment, Cancellation, & FA Policy
Weather: September high/low averages are 51°F/42°F or 11°C/6°C with days of rain scattered throughout the month. We recommend that you review the weather forecast for Iceland before you arrive, so you know specifically what to bring.
What to Bring:
*The key to staying warm will be to layer. Please make sure you pack accordingly.
Tentative Itinerary:
Sunday, September 17: Fly into Keflavik International Airport before 11:00am. Drive to Grindavik for lunch. Drive to The Blue Lagoon for an afternoon of relaxing in the geothermal pools. Drive to B14 Hostel, Faxafen 11, Reykjavík, Iceland (We have the place to ourselves – twin beds in gendered rooms). Prepare and eat dinner there. Get to know the group more.
Monday, September 18: Prepare breakfast and pack a lunch. Golden Circle Tour (in our vans) including: Thingvellir National Park, Snorkel Silfra Fissure, Oxararfoss Falls, Geysir Geothermal Field, Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerid Crater. Prepare and eat dinner back at B14 Hostel. Informal church service (volunteer readers).
Tuesday, September 19: Prepare breakfast and pack a lunch. Pack up and drive ~5hrs to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lake with floating icebergs, seals and skuas, for a self-guided hike and/or solo time. We’ll have a lunch stop at Reynisfjara, the famous black-sand beach with basalt columns and trolls. We’ll finish the day with a short hike to Svartifoss – a basalt column waterfall – before heading to Hotel Skaftafell (twin beds in triple/double rooms). We’ll eat dinner in the Hotel Restaurant. Try for Northern Lights (dependent on conditions).
Wednesday, September 20: Breakfast at the Hotel Restaurant. Pack a lunch. Check out of Hotel Skaftafell. Drive to Dyrholaey Arch, Kvernufoss, Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss. Stop by Kronan Supermarket in Selfoss. Arrive at Gaulverjaskoli – The Old School House (twin beds in gendered rooms). Prepare and eat dinner at The Old School House. Metaphysical Discussion. Try for Northern Lights (dependent on conditions).
Thursday, September 21: Prepare breakfast. Drive then hike to Reykjadalur Hot Springs 2.4 Miles Round Trip – 682.4 ft gain – Out-and-Back Trail. Head back to The Old School House for lunch before we venture to our afternoon adventures. Option 1: Afternoon Icelandic Horse Ride 2hrs ($117 not included – must book in advance). Option 2: Afternoon hike: Weather conditions will factor into the decision to either hike Krysuvik Georthermal Area Loop – 4.8miles moderate trail with lake and views in Reykjanesfolkvangur Reserve or hike Mount Esja – 5.2 mile steep, difficult, heavily trafficked loop trail. Option 3: Relax at The Old School House or explore the surrounding area on foot. Prepare and eat dinner at The Old School House. Informal Testimony Meeting (volunteer reader). Try for Northern Lights (dependent on conditions).
Friday, September 22: Prepare breakfast and pack a lunch. Free day (cost of activities is not included).Option 1: Explore Reykjavík: Drop off and pick up at The National Museum of Iceland, Suðurgata 41. This is the time to try pickled shark if you like at Café Loki (not included) or journey Inside The Volcano (not included). Option 2: Relax at The Old School House or explore the surrounding area on foot. Prepare and eat dinner at The Old School House. Play some fun group games. Try for Northern Lights (dependent on conditions).
Saturday, September 23: Prepare breakfast and pack a lunch. Wrap-up: Gratitude and highlights, evaluations. Check-out of The Old School House. Fly out of Keflavik International Airport after 3pm.
Contact: Shelby Mehring, DB Young Adult Manager at 20s30s@discoverybound.org or 720.599.6939
*Registration opened Thursday, February 2nd, at 9:00am, mountain time, and is on a first come, first served basis. You will not have a secured spot until you’ve paid the $240 deposit and have received a confirmation email from Shelby. Please complete this form if you would like to be added to the waitlist.