Ability Camp
Build It. Change It. Live the Mission.
Grab your tool belt and your brothers. Ability Camps are weekend service trips where Pi Kappa Phi members from campuses across the country roll up their sleeves to make camps and facilities more accessible for people with disabilities. We bring people, tools and funding to help complete real projects that matter.
What might you build? Accessible fishing piers, boardwalks, ramps, pavilions, playgrounds, sensory paths, you name it. The result: spaces where everyone can show up, participate and have fun.
When we tear out barriers and build access, we aren’t “doing charity,” we’re showing what inclusion looks like in real life. The structures you help create will be used for years by campers and families. And in the process, you’ll sweat beside your brothers, swap stories, learn new skills and walk away tighter than when you arrived.
Since 1989, The Ability Experience has partnered with camps and community programs nationwide to make these weekend builds happen. You can be part of the next project.
What You’ll Get Out of It
Hands‑on impact
Leadership and teamwork in a high‑energy, tool‑in‑hand environment
New skills (yes, you’ll learn power tools, even if you’ve never picked up a drill)
Brotherhood that comes from shared work, late‑night laughs and serving a bigger mission
Ready to Jump In?
Volunteer for an Ability Camp – Sign up solo or with your chapter using the specific camp links below.
Bring an Ability Camp to your facility – Camps or facilities interested in hosting an Ability Camp can complete a grant application here.
Upcoming Opportunities
The following Ability Camps took place in fall 2025. 2026 dates coming soon! If you have any questions, or your chapter is interested in attending an Ability Camp and/or serving as a host chapter, contact our team.
| Location | Partner Camp | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ability Camp: Colorado (Empire, Colorado) |
Rocky Mountain Village Camp | October 3-5 |
| Ability Camp: Connecticut (Waterford, Conneticut) |
Camp Harkness | October 3-5 |
| Ability Camp: Texas (Elgin, Texas) |
Down Home Ranch | October 3-5 |
| Ability Camp: New Jersey (Willamstown, New Jersey) |
Camp Sun & Fun | October 10-12 |
| Ability Camp: Michigan (Pinconning, Michigan) |
Camp Fish Tales | October 17-19 |
| Ability Camp: Arizona (Williams, Arizona) |
Camp Civitan | October 17-19 |
| Ability Camp: Central California (Cupertino, California) |
Via Services West | October 17-19 |
| Ability Camp: Washington (Seattle, Washington) |
Camp Stand By Me | October 17-19 |
| Ability Camp: Ohio (Marengo, Ohio) |
HopeWood Pines | October 24-26 |
| Ability Camp: Georgia (Rutledge, Georgia) |
Camp Twin Lakes | November 7-9 |
| Ability Camp: Southern California (Agoura Hills, California) |
Golden Heart Ranch | November 7-9 |
| Ability Camp: Iowa (Sioux City, Iowa) |
Camp High Hopes | November 14-16 |
| Ability Camp: Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia) |
Camp Holiday Trails | November 14-16 |
Eligibility and Daily Schedule
Ability Camps are open to any undergraduate and alumni members of Pi Kappa Phi. The registration fee is FREE, lodging, meals and a t-shirt are provided during the weekend. Registration closes approximately seven days prior to the start of the Ability Camp, or when capacity is met.
General Itinerary
- Friday: Arrive for check-in
- Saturday: Breakfast, work on project(s), lunch, work on project(s), dinner
- Sunday: Breakfast, finish project(s), depart 12 p.m.
Packing List
- Clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting dirty
- Extra clothes for evening activities (potentially with campers)
- Closed-toe shoes (due to the type of work, sandals/slides/flip flops are not allowed)
- Sleeping bag or sheets and a blanket
- Pillow
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Water bottle
- Work gloves (optional)
- Tools/tool belt (optional)
