Reflecting on a Month Spent Building a More Inclusive Tomorrow
In March, a combined 80 Pi Kapps, comprised of 43 undergraduate members, 27 associate members and 11 alumni from 13 chapters across the country, headed to one of three Ability Camps offered by The Ability Experience. Among them was the special week-long Ability Camp Spring Break, offering a unique, extended opportunity for service.
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. The work done will help enhance the lives of people with disabilities while also building bonds of brotherhood.
Throughout the month of March, brothers served communities in Indiana, Florida and South Carolina.
Camp Riley at Bradford Lakes: Martinsville, Indiana
From March 7-9, undergraduate brothers and associate members from Omega (Purdue), Alpha Nu (Ohio State), Beta Gamma (Louisville), Eta Beta (Indiana State) and Eta Upsilon (Miami-Ohio) headed to Camp Riley at Bradford Lakes, nestled within Indiana University’s outdoor center, in Martinsville, Indiana.
For many of these men, this was their first hands-on experience with The Ability Experience, an introduction to servant leadership that will inspire their future philanthropic efforts and involvement when they return to their campuses and chapters.
The weekend’s projects were no small feat. Brothers cleared and restored overgrown trails, refreshed weathered cabins and prepared activity and recreation areas for the campers who will soon arrive for the summer. From washing windows to leveling light posts, brothers worked tirelessly to create a more welcoming, accessible camp experience for individuals with disabilities.
Quest’s Camp Thunderbird: Apopka, Florida
From March 28-30, undergraduate brothers and alumni from Alpha Epsilon (Florida), Beta Beta (Florida Southern) and Zeta Zeta (North Florida) gathered at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird in Apopka, Florida, for a weekend of tools and teamwork.
Between digging out the foundation for a new turf maze, constructing an entryway and clearing overgrown walkways, the men took on projects to help campers safely and confidently navigate the camp. One of the weekend’s most meaningful moments came when brothers had the opportunity to spend time with members of the disability community, serving them dinner, having conversations and playing board games. Learning through shared laughter and conversations, they found out that they had far more in common than what separated them.
Ability Camp Spring Break, Clemson Outdoors Labs: Clemson, South Carolina
While many students flocked to beaches and resorts for spring break, Pi Kapps from across the country chose a different path. From March 8-12, brothers from Beta Nu (Houston), Zeta Alpha (Clemson), Eta Upsilon (Miami-Ohio), Iota Rho (Western Illinois) and Lambda Iota (Vermont) came together for a week of service, building and brotherhood.
Unlike a typical Ability Camp weekend, this unique spring break edition gave brothers a full week to make their mark. From trails to rooftops, their hands-on projects touched every corner of Clemson Outdoor Lab. Attendees installed steps in steep paths to make the archery area more accessible, installed pavers near the boat ramp, cleared out logs, branches and other debris left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, built new campfire benches, installed steps to a camp desk, removed and installed a new roof on the nature shed, sanded and stained benches and tables, built new steps to the swimming lake and removed tripping hazards, like large roots, from trails frequently used by campers.
“Volunteers with The Ability Experience have done amazing work here, and a lot of it,” said Camp Director Leslie Conrad. “We have hosted Ability Camps here for more than 30 years, so the volunteers have built and improved things virtually everywhere throughout the camp, and that longstanding relationship and partnership we’ve had with Pi Kappa Phi and The Ability Experience has been monumental for us.”
For undergraduate member Erik Osterlund, Iota Rho (Western Illinois), attending this camp enhanced his spring break while allowing him to spend time with his brothers. He quickly realized that this was more than just a week of building; it was an eye-opening experience that showed him what his chapter’s fundraising and philanthropic efforts were really about.
“By being out here together doing all this hard work, I’ve been able to better understand The Ability Experience and see firsthand the impact that Pi Kappa Phi can make,” said Osterlund. “We don’t see this side of our philanthropy every day on campus, but this made it feel real. Seeing Pi Kapp’s history at this camp inspired me; the work we did this week is something that I might be able to see if I come back to visit this camp in 20 years, and I’ll know that it’s still making an impact and helping campers.”
The Pi Kapps in attendance aren’t the only ones feeling inspired by this week of service, though. “If you look at the news, you’ll notice that Greek organizations aren’t always shown positively,” said Conrad. “Our experience has shown us the best of what Greek life can be, and I always brag about Pi Kappa Phi members. These men have hearts for service and are willing to do whatever we need, even if they aren’t glamorous jobs. They are always smiling, polite and having so much fun. Even when they don’t see our campers in action, their work has an important impact.”
The work The Ability Experience does to help prepare the camp for the summer is felt by campers and their families. “Our camp programs offer recreation opportunities to kids, teenagers and adults with various types of disabilities,” said Conrad. “We offer traditional camp activities like canoeing, overnight camping, ropes courses and more than not every camp can offer these individuals. While these campers are having a great time with us, their families get a rare break from caregiving, allowing them to take time for themselves and do the things they aren’t always able to do.”
From Indiana to Florida to South Carolina, Pi Kapps spent March turning their springs into a season of service. Their hard work left behind more than physical structures; it continued to build upon The Ability Experience’s longstanding legacy of inclusion, hard work and brotherhood that will extend far beyond one weekend or spring break.
Click here to learn more about Ability Camps and view the schedule of upcoming opportunities.