Over three inspiring weeks, a group of international volunteers came together in nature to prepare for the upcoming Manas Festival—and in the process, transformed old furniture, lamps, and themselves. What began as a hands-on mission to upcycle discarded objects into artistic installations soon became a deeper journey of creativity, learning, and community-building.

Each morning, volunteers chose between three activity tracks: sculpting whimsical mushrooms from natural materials, weaving hammocks known as TreeNets by the lake, or diving into permaculture workshops that explored sustainable living, from forest gardening and edible pond harvesting to foraging wild food and cooking it for the group.

Throughout the camp, collaboration was at the core. Volunteers rotated daily roles for cooking and cleaning, leading to unforgettable shared meals and cultural culinary exchanges. Evenings and weekends brought space for bonding and relaxation, with community-building activities that celebrated intercultural understanding and connection with nature.

One of the highlights was a spontaneous film project initiated by a returning volunteer. Entirely self-organized during free time, the making of the short film involved every participant and culminated in a grand screening for the whole community.

The impact of the camp was profound. Volunteers not only gained practical skills—from lighting a bonfire to designing signs—but also emotional resilience and new friendships. The local community, too, was enriched by the cultural exchange and shared creative efforts.

Looking back, the camp proved that when young people are given space to co-create and connect, something truly transformative happens—for them, for the organizers, and for the wider community.