Build America

Building Accessibility Across the Country

After a hiatus in 2020, Build America is returning in 2027 as a signature event of The Ability Experience. Since 2003, Build America has been promoting accessible recreation for people with disabilities. Build America provides students and alumni with transformative experiences to build accessible amenities at camps that serve children and adults with disabilities, including ramps, pathways, cabins and recreation spaces that open the outdoors to everyone.

Build America isn’t just construction. It’s leadership in action, transforming spaces and lives. Join us in building access, inclusion and lasting impact. Learn more about Build America below.

Build Yourself and Support Others

At the core of Build America is the construction of accessible environments and camps serving the disability community, providing accessibility for campers to experience everything summer camp has to offer. Our team spends time at camps across the country, building amenities that open up new opportunities for campers and can even help camps expand the programming they can offer. While construction is the main focus, the friendships are what set Build America apart. Team members will walk away with a brotherhood like any other and be proud to know their work will provide opportunities for people of all abilities for years to come!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Test Your Limits

You’ll feel like you can take on anything after Build America, that’s what separates a servant leader from the rest. For those that have completed the trip, the relationships built, skills learned and experiences had shaped who they are and what they’ve done since.

No Construction Experience? No Problem.

One-on-one support from our dedicated staff, professional tool training and mentorship from our network of accomplished Pi Alphas is just the beginning.

Did you know that many Build America team members come in without construction experience? Or that fundraising is daunting for everyone, but we work with you each step of the way to help you reach your goal.

Charles Paschal

“Build America was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. Spending an extended amount of time with people with disabilities provided a lot of perspective. It showed me joy and happiness in the simplest of things, like playing catch with friends or having a dance party. Happiness and joy are things everyone can share. Build America highlighted that for me.”

Charles Paschal, Delta Beta (North Georgia)

Shawn O'Leary

“Other than my bachelor’s degree, Build America is the only experience I still list on my resume from that time. It is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that speaks so much to a person’s character and leadership. Those attributes can be much harder to pull out of a traditional internship experience. It also shows that you’re willing to take a risk, meet new people and work toward a common goal. In hindsight, those times on Build America opened more doors for me than any of my paid industry internships. Not to mention some of the lifetime friendships I made that I still have today.”

Shawn O’Leary, Theta Iota (Washington State)

Nolan Caberto

“I think Build America is extremely powerful in ways that benefit those at the camp and the future of others who will be using them. We want to provide our best work for each camp to make sure we create accessible and safe amenities that will last for years on. We create a positive impact on the community by also getting to spend quality time with campers.”

Nolan Caberto, Theta Omicron (Nevada-Reno)

Patrick Lucitt

“Build America was a truly transformative experience for me. The summer experience wasn't just about building accessible structures; it's about building relationships and breaking down the walls of misunderstanding. The most impactful part of the program for me was the Friendship Visits. Getting to spend time with people with disabilities and their families taught me the power of empathy, the importance of inclusive communities and the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit. I left the program not only with new skills and incredible memories, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a deep commitment to advocating for people with disabilities.”

Patrick Lucitt, Delta Delta (Truman State)

Support the 2027 Relaunch!

As we build toward 2027, we need partners to get there! We are looking for sponsors, donors and volunteers to make this possible. Corporate sponsors, supporting a full build and supporting team members’ fundraising, are great opportunities to ensure you can make this new iteration of Build America a reality.

Get Involved

Bring Our Team to You!

Is your camp looking to expand amenities and programs for the disability community? Apply now to let us know you’re interested.

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