In February, 51 undergraduate members of Pi Kappa Phi from 10 different chapters across the country attended one of two Ability Camps offered by The Ability Experience.
Ability Camps are national service projects that provide funding and manpower to build and renovate structures for camps and facilities serving the disability community. Members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity from various universities construct accessible fishing piers, boardwalks, pavilions, playgrounds and more to highlight the abilities of people with disabilities. The work done will help enhance the lives of people with disabilities while also building bonds of brotherhood.
This month, Pi Kappa Phi brothers got the chance to bring their servant leadership to the Lone Star State.
From February 7-9, undergraduate brothers from Alpha Gamma (Oklahoma), Beta Iota (Toledo), Beta Omicron (Northwestern State), Delta Psi (Texas-Arlington) and Eta Chi (Texas Christian) gathered at Camp Summit in Paradise, Texas.
Throughout the weekend, attendees demolished an old wheelchair ramp that was in disarray, built a new and improved replacement, built 20 benches and completely redid the siding of a staff house.
After their work at Camp Summit was complete, four brothers loved their experience so much that they applied to work there over the summer!
During that same weekend, undergraduate brothers from Delta Omega (Texas A&M), Zeta Theta (Texas-Austin), Eta Rho (Texas State), Iota Beta (Texas-San Antonio) and Iota Sigma (San Jose State) headed to Camp CAMP in Center Point, Texas for the weekend.
Throughout their time at Camp CAMP, brothers built a golf cart shed and a mobile storage trailer to house river activities equipment, modified bunks so accessible railings could be installed for campers with disabilities, cleared a pasture to make way for future paths and horse trails, demolished an unusable cabin and split firewood to prepare for campfires in the summer.
Alumnus Jackson Escamilla, Iota Beta (Texas-San Antonio), served as the facilitator for Camp CAMP. This was Escamilla’s third time at Camp CAMP, but his first as a facilitator. He has a unique connection to the disability community, as his twin brother has disabilities, which is part of the reason he decided to take on this leadership role and why he is so passionate about helping others grow as servant leaders.
“The most impactful moment during this camp, for me, was attending the camp’s dance with all the staff and campers,” said Escamilla. “Earlier in the day, a camper approached two of my brothers to give them Valentine’s Day cards and personally invite them to the dance. Seeing the pure joy on that camper’s face and my brothers’ faces was unforgettable.”
At the dance, Escamilla saw his Pi Kappa Phi brothers break out of their shells, engage with the campers and be reminded after a hard day’s work why they were really there, and who they were impacting.
Escamilla would encourage any chapters or brothers that are on the fence about attending an Ability Camp to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “Ability Camps give you the chance to bond with brothers from different chapters, create lifelong memories alongside incredible camp staff and campers and allow you to make a lasting impact on people with disabilities,” said Escamilla. “If you’re willing to step away from your campus for just one weekend, together, the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi have the power to create meaningful experiences for the disability community for years to come.”
To learn more about Ability Camps, and to view the schedule of upcoming Ability Camp opportunities, click here.