Students Gain Architecture and Design Skills at Alex Foundation’s Annual Summer Camp

By Angela Courtney, Delta Informer Contributor

Aug. 9, 2026 – Middle School students from Chicot, Desha, Drew, and Pulaski counties gained architecture and design skills during Alex Foundation’s annual summer camp for rising 7th and 8th graders, held at the UA Monticello historic Taylor House and Hollywood Plantation in Tillar/Winchester.

The free annual summer camp was held Monday through Friday, July 20-24 and July 27-31, 9 am to 4 pm daily. The summer camp was held in partnership with the Alex Foundation, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Arkansas Chapter, and the University of Arkansas Monticello (UAM).

Throughout each day during the week, students were introduced to different skills and careers led by licensed and accredited professionals in architecture, archaeology, engineering, design and fabrication. 

Volunteer architects began each week by teaching students what they do; that architecture is the art and science of the built environment; how an architectural drawing becomes a building or structure; the different parts that make up a building; and how architecture is an important part of history.

The students experienced engineering during a field trip to Garver Engineers in North Little Rock, where they learned about civil, mechanical, structural, and electrical engineering and gained design-thinking skills. Using the Rube Goldberg machine, students examined principles of gravity and energy.   

Students also learned archeology at UA Monticello Archeology Research Station on the university’s campus and how to effectively examine, interpret, and analyze physical and cultural patterns and their interactions.

Students also created various artistic designs, including stained-glass pieces, wall art, and planter boxes. Each student received a gift card, a certificate of completion, and a T-shirt at the conclusion of the weeklong summer camp.

This year’s summer camp participants from Dermott, Eudora, McGehee, Lake Village, Little Rock and Monticello included:

Chad Anderson

Elijah Baldwin

Duntarius Barnes

Carl Brown

Laron Canada

Ladarius Easterling

Nicolas Gilbert

Brenden Greer

Taylor Holliman

Aiden Mondragon

Taven McGehee

RaShad Nelson

Eli Smith

Sha’Myah Smith

Danny Ward

Caleb West

Alex Foundation, a Halley-based 501 (c) (3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2010. Generous partners, sponsors, funders and donors make summer camp and year-round programming free for all students.  For more information and to donate, visit www.alex-foundation.org.