From Pallets to Playgrounds: What We Created During Our Summer Volunteer Program

Earlier this summer, a vibrant group of international volunteers came together for a three-week community project filled with creativity, teamwork, and cultural exchange. 

The first day was all about introductions and light gardening to ease into the rhythm. By Monday, the team launched into full-scale work on a range of planned projects.

Together, the volunteers accomplished several impressive improvements, especially in the garden and outdoor spaces:

• A barefoot path built for sensory exploration

• A mud kitchen for the kindergarten made from pallets

• A pallet-based waste bin cover

• Refurbished and repainted decorative tree and playground equipment

• Enhanced fence decorations

• A raised, more playful sandbox border

• Thorough garden cleanup from overgrown bushes and leaves

The DIY projects were collaboratively designed, with each volunteer contributing ideas and sketches, particularly for the layout of the mud kitchen.

Almost daily, a few volunteers also assisted in the children’s camp—joining field trips, helping with crafts, preparing meals, and playing with the kids. Whether at museums, forest walks, or the Budakeszi Wildlife Park, their help was invaluable.

Evenings were filled with shared meals—each night cooked by someone different, offering a culinary trip around the world. The final night culminated in a grand international feast, where everyone brought a dish from their home country. Beyond work, the group enjoyed city sightseeing, boat rides, parties, and one volunteer even got a souvenir tattoo as part of her travel tradition.

Overall, the project was a big success. It wasn’t just about the work done—it was about the community built, the laughs shared, and the new friendships formed. Every volunteer brought something unique to the table, and everyone found a way to contribute meaningfully.