The Reno team plays a key role in our projects. Special thanks to Hugo and the Reno team for their contribution. This document aims to report on the renovation work carried out by the Reno Team at the Krýsuvík camp in Iceland, between early June and the end of July 2025.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to improve the infrastructure managed by the NGO Worldwide Friends Iceland.
By outlining the initial situation, defined objectives, concrete actions, and future perspectives, this document serves as a clear follow-up to the project. It also allows volunteers who are not part of the Reno Team to better understand its role, mission, and contributions within the camp.
Presentation of the Reno Team
Who are they?
The current team, named Reno Team Summer 2025, joined the Krýsuvík camp in early June as part of the Worldwide Friends volunteering program. Their mission is to participate in the renovation and improvement of the local infrastructure, including greenhouse restoration, erosion prevention, and the construction of secure workspaces.
Nationalities Represented
In line with the international spirit of Worldwide Friends, the Reno Team includes volunteers from various countries. This summer, participants came from France, Poland, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, as well as from South America, Asia, and Northern Europe.
Team Objectives
The team was mobilized around the following objectives:
- Renovation of indoor and outdoor spaces (greenhouses, floors, walls, etc.)
- Organization and secure storage of tools and materials
- Preparation of grounds for future developments (gym space, workshop area)
- Promoting sustainability through responsible practices
Supervision & Cooperation
Supervised by a designated camp leader and in coordination with WF staff, the Reno Team works in close collaboration with other volunteers at the camp.
They regularly participate in eco-friendly workshops, exchange knowledge about environmental practices, and take part in educational excursions in the Krýsuvík area.
Initial Situation
The main building houses volunteers on the upper floor, but several rooms remain unfinished.
Interior finishing work, furniture installation, and decoration are needed to make the rooms fully functional and welcoming.
Additionally, seven greenhouses surrounding the house are still awaiting full renovation.
Mission Objectives
Two primary goals have been defined for summer 2025:
1. Fitting out the future rooms on the ground floor of the house
The objective is to complete finishing work (flooring, painting, furniture) in unused rooms, in order to increase accommodation capacity and welcome more volunteers under good conditions.
2. Renovating the greenhouse located next to the storage area
This greenhouse will be divided into two distinct areas:
- A common living space, including a kitchen and dining area for volunteers. This will free up the current kitchen in the main house, which can then be converted into additional bedrooms.
- A dedicated farming area, gradually restoring the greenhouse’s agricultural function.
- In the long term, the goal is to renovate all greenhouses on site, making Krýsuvík a vegetable self-sufficient camp, in line with the sustainable vision promoted by Worldwide Friends.
Work Completed by the Current Team
Inside the house:
Painting work was completed in the future bedrooms Parquet flooring was installed
The electrical system was inspected and tested
The rooms were furnished and arranged to accommodate new volunteers
Inside the greenhouse:
Demolition, sorting, and material reuse
Wooden panels were sanded to remove nails and prepare them for reuse
Removal of old materials from the greenhouse: plastic sheets, wooden panels (often with nails), and metal elements
- Careful sorting: reusable materials (sound wood, metal, plastic) were preserved; the rest was taken to the local waste center
Metal structure preparation
An anti-rust primer was applied to protect the structure over time Wood structure reuse
The metal frame was carefully sanded to eliminate rust
- A mixed frame (reused and new wood) was assembled to reinforce the metal structure
- All wood was sanded and varnished to resist Icelandic weather
- Wooden reinforcements were fixed to the metal frame to ensure durability
Castine layer leveling and foundation preparation
- The gravel layer (castine) was carefully leveled to create a stable and even base
- This is an essential step before pouring concrete for the new foundation
- As of the time this document is being written, the project is well underway and nearing completion.
- As you will see in the following photos, the windows and wooden walls have been installed, the electrical wiring is in place, the concrete floor will soon be poured, and part of the roof structure has already been started.
