"Kamp Kappa" is the cornerstone the Alexandria-Fairfax Alumni Chapter's Guide Right program.  "Guide Right" is the national youth-oriented community service program of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  The Alexandria-Fairfax Alumni Chapter and the Kappa Scholarship Endowment Fund, Inc., have designed Kamp Kappa to provide positive outdoor and educational experiences for up to fifty young men between the ages of 10-15 years.  The campers come from both inner-city and suburban environments.  The camp is held at the Hemlock Overlook Center for Outdoor Education located in Clifton, Virginia.  The camp is located in a rustic environment which is ideal for exposing them to environmental and ecological education.  The camp is a six-day overnight experience with activities managed by professional counselors and supported by volunteers from members of the local DC area Kappa chapters. Kamp Kappa is structured to provide activities that foster the spirit of team building, self-respect, and respect for others.  Activities include games of skill, team exercises, confidence and leadership building tasks--all of which are designed to provide moderate physical challenges, but to stimulate creative thinking.  These team-building exercises are dispersed throughout the day and are intermingled with group discussions and lectures on health and drug awareness, cultural diversity, personal hygiene, and etiquette.  The camp also includes activities such as canoeing, hiking, and swimming. 

Each morning, from Monday to Thursday, the campers are introduced to the fundamental principles of the criminal justice system through the "Street Law" seminar.  The "Street Law" session is the brain child of Gerald B. Lee, a U.S. District Judge in Fairfax County.  Judge Lee and his staff of lawyers, District Attorneys and law students introduce the campers to the elements of the law that some youths encounter during their formative years. The session comes in the form of a mock-trial where each camper plays the role of a judge, defense or trial lawyer, defendant, clerk, bailiff, witness
and victim.  The mock-trial is conducted Friday morning in the courtrooms of the Fairfax County Courthouse.  After the trials, the campers are then taken on an "up close and personal" tour of the Fairfax County Jail where they are given a perspective of the "other side" of the law through interviews with Deputy Sheriffs, jailors and inmates! 

In addition to team-building, lectures, and games, the campers also participate in educational field trips.  In 2005, the kids of Kamp Kappa visited:

- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
   (http://www.missingkids.com/)
- The National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
  (http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/)
- The FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
   (http://www.fbi.gov/hq/td/academy/academy.htm)
- "Redskins Park," the training facility of the Washington Redskins
    (http://www.redskins.com/community/)
- The United States Coast Guard Honor Guard Badge
   (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Guard_Honor_Guard_Badge)

The highlight of Kamp Kappa is the all-day trip to Kings Dominion Amusement Park near Richmond, Virginia.  We believe Kamp Kappa is a well-rounded experience that transforms the lives of the participants--kids and adults, alike!  Kamp Kappa broadens perspectives, challenges assumptions, and builds confidence and character.  But most importantly, it's FUN!  Previous attendees of participants at Kamp Kappa have said the following: