FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Camp Aldersgate may soon be aiming for bulls eyes. Through a collaboration between the University of Arkansas School of Architecture, University of Arkansas at Little Rock Construction Management and local architects, engineers and contractors, students are designing and building an archery pavilion with adaptable stations for wheelchairs.

Originally engendered by Steve Kinzler and Mary Jane Murray of the Wilcox Group, the project was funded by a $20,000 donation from the Contractor's Licensing Board of Arkansas.

One of the first racially integrated institutions in America, Camp Aldersgate is a 120-acre, year-round camp founded by United Methodist Women.

"The camp is devoted to serving children with special needs," said assistant professor Laura Terry.

After traveling to the Auburn Rural Studio with UA students Wendall Kinzler, Emily Baker, Sandra Miks, Angie Carpenter, Jasen Goicoechea, Chris Thomas, Jordan Sherrod and David McElyea, Terry helped the students develop the plans for the archery site, including a covered pavilion for waiting, four adaptable shooting stations, a storage facility, a backstop and targets.

"We visited similar design/build projects during our visit to the Auburn University Rural Studio and were inspired by their innovative use of design and materials," said Terry.

Students presented their final design to the camp on May 28 and "broke ground" on May 30. This multidisciplinary team made up of architects, engineers and contractors have scheduled to finish the project by June 30, according to Terry.

The School of Architecture will continue to commit its students and professors to more summer design studios at Camp Aldersgate.

"We are hopeful of doing similar projects at Camp Aldersgate every summer if adequate funds can be found," said UA School of Architecture Dean Jeff Shannon.

For a detailed map of the location, visit Camp Aldersgate homepage at http://www.campaldersgate.net/.

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