A Monumental March
Charlottesville, Virginia, or “C’ville” as the locals call it, is home to American history and postcard-worthy views, but this March, the main attraction wasn’t a museum or a mountain range; it was a group of Pi Kappa Phi brothers at Camp Holiday Trails, putting service before self at Ability Camp Virginia.
Each month, brothers of Pi Kappa Phi travel across the country for Ability Camps, weekend service projects hosted by The Ability Experience that bring volunteers together to build, repair and enhance facilities serving people with disabilities. These weekends are always hands-on, but they’re never just about the construction projects. Together, brothers problem-solve, laugh and learn their way through projects that make camps more accessible, while strengthening the bonds of brotherhood that define Pi Kappa Phi.
In March, undergraduate brothers and associate members from Xi (Roanoke), Beta Phi (East Carolina), Gamma Beta (Old Dominion), Kappa Psi (Wake Forest) and Beta Upsilon (Virginia), led by facilitator and Delta Lambda (UNC-Charlotte) alumnus Chandler Crean, headed to Camp Holiday Trails. This Ability Camp marked The Ability Experience’s first visit to the camp in more than 10 years, making the weekend feel symbolic of a return and a renewed partnership.
Camp Holiday Trails operates with one live-in facilities director who oversees the day-to-day management and full maintenance of the campgrounds. With so much responsibility on one staff member, important projects often sit on the “wish list” for a long time, because there simply aren’t enough people to help.
The Ability Experience brought helpers and momentum. Brothers built and painted handrails connecting key areas, including one leading up to the large main cabin from the dining hall, and another from the waterfront trail to the dining hall. They also replaced a zip line landing pad and painted its new base. In the true spirit of camp, they also cut and moved firewood for the campfire pit and hauled old wood to a burn pile. Not the most glamorous work, but some of the most impactful.
To make the most of their time together, brothers were organized into groups with men from different chapters, giving them the chance to build new relationships and the challenge of dividing responsibilities to get each project across the finish line together.
Brothers contributed to several projects on the camp’s “wish list,” and because the mission does not end when the weekend does, The Ability Experience provided a grant to support continued improvements at the camp.
For Brandon Dufour, Gamma Beta (Old Dominion), the weekend brought the mission of The Ability Experience to life: “This experience showed me that one weekend can make a lifelong impact. The Ability Experience has shown me the power of giving back and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to experience unforgettable memories and friendships. The Gamma Beta Chapter attended Ability Camp because service is at the heart of who we are. Pi Kappa Phi’s values encourage us to serve others and create opportunities for everyone.”
A decade between visits is a long time, but by the end of the weekend at Camp Holiday Trails, a connection with an old friend was effortlessly rekindled. This March, there were projects completed, but more than that, a commitment was made to keep showing up, supporting the camp and helping create spaces where people of all abilities can participate fully and belong completely.
