A Month of Changing Leaves and Changing Lives 

An October of Impact at Ability Camps Nationwide 

October is a season of change, marked by cooler mornings, falling leaves and renewed energy as camps prepare for fall and winter programs. For Pi Kappa Phi brothers across the country, it was also a chance to make a difference. They put on their work boots and set out to create accessible, welcoming spaces for people of all abilities. 

Over five October weekends, more than 250 undergraduates and alumni from 25 Pi Kappa Phi chapters gathered at nine Ability Camps to build, repair and revive facilities where campers of all abilities can thrive. Every painted wall, rebuilt trail and newly constructed ramp reflected the commitment shared by Pi Kappa Phi and The Ability Experience: belonging doesn’t have an off-season.  

Ability Camp: Colorado 
Rocky Mountain Village Camp: Empire, Colorado
October 3-5  

 

Brothers from Epsilon Chi (Denver), Iota Kappa (Greeley), Kappa Omega (Utah) and Kappa Sigma (Colorado-Colorado Springs) kicked off the month by partnering with Rocky Mountain Village and tackling a range of projects in the crisp mountain air. Thirty-one brothers and associate members repaired flood damage, laid new foundations to prevent future issues and extended accessible boardwalks for wheelchair users. They cleared brush, painted murals and left the camp safer, more vibrant and ready for the next season.   

Ability Camp: Connecticut
Camp Harkness: Waterford, Connecticut
October 3-5 

 

That same weekend, alumni and undergraduate members from Psi (Cornell), Alpha Tau (RPI), Zeta Nu (West Chester), Zeta Omega (Towson), Iota Lambda (Quinnipiac) and Iota Mu (Arkansas-Fort Smith) brothers worked side by side with staff at Camp Harkness. Twenty-four volunteers prepared indoor and outdoor areas for the fall programs ahead, easing the workload for staff as they prepared to accommodate arriving campers during the busy season.   

Ability Camp: Texas
Down Home Ranch: Elgin, Texas
October 3-5

 

In Texas, Delta Psi (Texas-Arlington), Eta Rho (Texas State) and Iota Sigma (San Jose State) built kayak racks, renovated decks, cared for animals and cleared invasive plants at Down Home Ranch. Each project helped make the ranch and the camp experiences it provides more accessible and engaging for everyone who lives, works and visits there.  

Ability Camp: New Jersey
Camp Sun ‘N Fun: Williamstown, New Jersey 
October 10-12

 

 

One week later, brothers from Beta Alpha (NJIT) and Zeta Iota (Indiana-Pennsylvania) arrived at Camp Sun ‘N Fun. Twenty-eight brothers rolled up their sleeves to paint gathering spaces, offices and bathrooms. Their attention to detail helped refresh some of the most frequently used areas of camp, allowing Camp Sun ‘N Fun to greet staff and campers with warmth and color for years to come.  

Ability Camp: Michigan
Camp Fish Tales: Pinconning, Michigan
October 17-19

 

In Michigan, Alpha Theta (Michigan State), Beta Xi (Central Michigan), Delta Sigma (Bowling Green State) and Epsilon Beta (Grand Valley State) spent the weekend at Camp Fish Tales. Fourteen brothers prepared trails, cleared debris and supported a haunted trail fundraiser, leaving the camp cleaner, safer and ready for the season ahead.   

Ability Camp: Arizona
Camp Civitan: Williams, Arizona
October 17-19

At Camp Civitan, Beta Theta (Arizona), Theta Upsilon (Northern Arizona) and Iota Eta (Embry-Riddle) brothers put their muscles and creativity to work across the grounds. With 44 brothers in attendance, the team built a new chicken coop, painted storage spaces and helped transform the camp for its Halloween festivities. 

Camp Civitan’s Chief Executive Officer Dawn Trapp reflected on the camp’s long-standing partnership with Pi Kappa Phi and The Ability Experience, saying, “Our relationship is probably 20 years old at this point; the grant money you bring always helps us create something new for our campers.” She added that projects like the chicken coop open new experiences for campers, especially those who love animals and will now get to “collect eggs and watch them grow and watch them lay.”   

The weekend ended with a dance party and costume contest, letting Pi Kapps celebrate inclusion and community with campers and staff.  

“It’s a weekend filled with so much fun, love and then hard work. These guys are always ready to work,” said Trapp.  

Ability Camp: Central California
Via Services West: Cupertino, California
October 17-19

On the West Coast, 38 brothers from Epsilon Nu (Cal State-Sacramento), Theta Omicron (Nevada-Reno) and Kappa Mu (California-Merced) focused on improving accessibility and atmosphere at Via Services West. Pi Kapps undertook projects ranging from painting and deck repairs to relocating huts, thereby streamlining the camper check-in process. 

Ability Camp: Washington 
Camp Stand By Me: Vaughn, Washington
October 17-19

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Farther north, Alpha Delta (Washington), Alpha Omega (Oregon) and Iota Iota (Cal Poly-Pomona) brothers built a retaining wall, restored the archery station and repaired benches at Camp Stand By Me. They created safer, more accessible recreation spaces for campers to enjoy.  

Ability Camp: Ohio
HopeWood Pines: Marengo, Ohio
October 24-26

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To close out the month, brothers from Alpha Theta (Michigan State), Alpha Iota (Auburn), Alpha Nu (Ohio State), Beta Iota (Toledo), Theta Psi (RIT) and Kappa Alpha (Case Western Reserve) came together at HopeWood Pines. These 38 Pi Kapps built ramps, cleared trails, repaired bridges and assembled a new fire pit, making it possible for every camper, of every ability, to experience the camp to its fullest.  

Long after the leaves have fallen, the work done this October will remain. The repairs, the laughter, the long drives and the shared purpose all left their mark on these camps and on these brothers. Across nine camps, hundreds of men showed what can happen when service meets brotherhood. Together, these Pi Kappa Phi brothers built more than structures. 

Together, they built belonging.