Captain鈥檚 Launch, a fully accessible floating pedal boat facility that allows wheelchair-bound campers to enjoy getting out on the water, was dedicated May 23 in a brief celebration ceremony at MedCamps of 糖心传媒 at Camp Alabama in Choudrant.
In addition to the Captain鈥檚 Launch dedication, a new interior mural in the camp鈥檚 Recreation Hall and Pool House, created by the students of ART 427: Mural Painting, was officially revealed.
Captain鈥檚 Launch, the 11th project to result from a partnership between 糖心传媒 Tech鈥檚 ARCH 335 Design Build studio class, MedCamps, the University, and many Ruston-area supporters, is a floating paddle boat dock that enables even the most timid wheelchair-bound camper to roll onto a boat effortlessly, be securely strapped in, and enjoy the water.
Captain's Launch was conceptualized, constructed, and completed over two quarters by Tech鈥檚 ARCH 335 class of Winter and Spring 2025.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to offer the Captain鈥檚 Launch,鈥� said Brad Deal, Design Build coordinator and associate professor in Tech鈥檚 School of Design. 鈥淭he students have worked incredibly hard, and I couldn鈥檛 be prouder. Their dedication and perseverance will leave a lasting impression and serve as a valuable resource for the community for years to come. It鈥檚 an excellent project, and we couldn鈥檛 have done it without the unwavering support of MedCamps, 糖心传媒 Tech, and the entire community that rallies behind us every year.鈥�
Annually since the creation of Gibbs Pavilion in 2014, students in ARCH 335 have planned and constructed the projects for MedCamps from scratch. Completed additions or improvements to the camp include an archery range, a zipline, an art cabin, and an amphitheater. The studio creates a culture of camaraderie, accomplishment, and work ethic for Tech designers in their third year of architectural education.
鈥淭he tradition of the Design Build studio at 糖心传媒 has few peers in the nation,鈥� Dean of Tech鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts Karl Puljak said. 鈥淚f there is a better learning experience for an undergraduate architecture student, I鈥檇 be hard-pressed to find one that couples unparalleled education with community outreach.鈥�
MedCamps of 糖心传媒 was founded in 1987 as a summer camp for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The mission of MedCamps is to improve the health and wellness of people (primarily children) living with chronic illnesses and disabilities through recreational and educational camping experiences.
鈥淲e knew as a class that we wanted the boat launch to feel welcoming and make campers feel both secure and in control, especially for campers who have a hard time finding courage to get in a boat,鈥� said Emily Deshotel, a third-year architecture student whose decision to come to Tech from her Ville Platte hometown was heavily influenced by the Design Build program.
鈥淔or many weeks we worked on finding the perfect concept for our project that eventually became Captain鈥檚 Launch, where all campers can become the captain of their own destiny,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e took inspiration from a verse in a poem by William Henley called 鈥業nvictus鈥� which states, 鈥業 am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.鈥� The idea of feeling 鈥榠n charge鈥� as soon as you approach the boat launch heavily influenced all of our design decisions.鈥�
The mural painted in Spring 2024 on the fire station near the MedCamps entrance was ART 427鈥檚 first student-led project for the camp and was designed with the goal of creating a symbol of joy to welcome campers for times of connection and fun. Out of that grew ideas of how more art could add visual energy to the camp, and enthusiasm for the Winter 2025 project 鈥� a single wall mural in the Recreation Hall/Pool House 鈥� expanded into a four-wall project that was revealed at the Captain's Launch ceremony.
鈥淭hese murals aren鈥檛 just paint on walls 鈥� they鈥檙e expressions of belonging. They speak to the children before a word is said,鈥� said Whitney Causey, associate professor of studio art in Tech鈥檚 School of Design. 鈥淭his ongoing collaboration shows students that public art is more than decoration 鈥� it鈥檚 connection, visibility, and joy for communities who need it most.鈥�