Build America
Since 2003, Build America has taken members of Pi Kappa Phi across the country to make camps and communities more accessible for people with disabilities through construction, dedication and hard work. The concept of this event derived from Push America’s Push Camp and Give-A-Push Weekend programs.
Build America is a six week team event starting in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and visiting many different camps and communities to improve the accessibility of areas for people with disabilities. The team members’ day does not stop when the construction stops. Before arriving in Washington D.C. the team will have traveled over 4,000 miles, saved camps and communities $50,000 in labor costs and over $30,000 in materials expenses, and impacted the lives of thousands of people with disabilities.
The best experience on this journey is in the evenings when team members gather with campers for dinner and other camp activities. This is the time team members say is most rewarding. They get to hang out with the very people who are benefiting from their construction. These are the times that create the special memories of camps and lifelong friends. There is no experience like Build America and being able to leave a tangible product after departing a camp or community sets this event apart from all other events.
Camp Visits – The Build America team will visit many camps supporting people with disabilities across the country. This time is the heart of the team’s summer, waking up early at camp, heading out for a full day of construction and project work, then enjoying camp activities and visiting with campers while truly enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Travel Days – As the team travels from camp to camp, they will stop in many cities along the way. The team has visited cities such as Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago and Atlanta! In some the cities the team will meet with different organizations that support people with disabilities as well as hang out with some people with disabilities too.
Service Projects – While traveling to larger cities, the team will have opportunities to conduct a service project at a local organization supporting people with disabilities. This may consist of building a ramp to a group home or modifying a playground to make it accessible. Service projects are opportunities for the team to reach out to more local communities during their summer travels.
Friendship Visits – After each day of hard work at camp or at a service day site, team members will have friendships visits. These will range from camp fire songs, cook outs, scavenger hunts, dances, or water recreation activities. Whatever the visit is, the team will spend time enjoying the friendships made with the people for whom they’re supporting. After working 8-10 hours a day, it is well worth it when you clean up after the daily project and a smiling face is there to thank you!