Camptown

Leading Youth to a Better Path

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History & Awards

Our Founder

Tom Lehman founded Camptown in 1991. Camptown is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit company as designated by the IRS and the Internal Revenue Code.

In February of 1993, Tom left the business world to work full time for Camptown. The driving force was to make a positive difference in the lives of youth. Tom wanted to give youth from all backgrounds an opportunity to expand their views beyond their current environment. Tom’s goal was that the Camptown experience would enrich the lives of the youth and give them a positive life-changing experience. Camptown is not a traditional camp and concentrates more on developing leadership and life skills that each student can use all of their life. Camptown, along with the youth they serve, plan wilderness outings centered on backpacking trips along mountain trails. Besides leadership and life skills, Camptown teaches teamwork, develops a positive self-image, builds confidence and teaches good moral behavior. Camptown’s beliefs are based on Christian principles and encourage youth to get involved with local churches.

Since 1993, Camptown has grown to 5 employees with the same dedication and goals that Tom brought when he founded the program. Sadly, Tom passed away in 2003.

Camptown has served the following unduplicated youth:

 

1993 – 60 1994 – 97 1995 – 150 1996 – 200
1997 – 225 1998 – 300 1999 – 320 2000 – 400
2001 – 417 2002 – 194 2003 – 178 2004 – 174
2005 – 254 2006 – 569 2007 – 444 2008 – 1,102
2009 – 2,228 2010 – 2,956 2011 – 3,085 2012 – 3,406
2013 – 3,357 2014-3,203 2015-3,538  2016- 2,953
 2017- 3,594  2018- 3,447 2019- 3,519 2020- 1,211

Awards

Distinguished Hoosier Award

July, 2021 – Don Schafer was recognized by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb with the Distinguished Hoosier Award for his 17 years of leading Camptown. The award is one of the highest civilian honors reserved for individuals who have led lives of exemplary service and character.

Quality Improvement Award – MCCOY (Marion County Commission on Youth)

December, 2010 – The Quality Improvement Award is presented to organizations that have committed to not only completing the Youth Program Quality Improvement process, but who did so with diligence and creativity and who subsequen6ly set the standard for other organizations what will follow them in the quest for quality programming for youth.

Indiana Achievement Awards

October, 201o – The Indiana Achievement Awards (IAA), hosted by the IUPUI Solution Center, recognized Camptown for exemplary practices and demonstrated effectiveness.

Hoosier Hero for Children

Camptown founder Tom Lehman received the Central Indiana Hoosier Hero for Children award presented by Prevent Child Abuse Indiana.

Daily Points of Life Award

May, 2002 – Camptown received a Daily Point of Light award from the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network.

Best Nature/Outdoor Program

November, 2000 – Camptown’s Parent/Child trip was awarded “Best Nature/Outdoor Program” at the “Programming Our World” conference in Cincinnati by the National Park and Recreation Association.

Camptown

Mission Statement

Camptown's mission is to challenge, mentor, and teach youth about life through outdoor adventure and nature programs that help build confidence, character, and hope.

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Training

Leave No Trace Trainer
River Canoeing
Beginning Backpacking
Teambuilding
7998 GEORGETOWN ROAD, SUITE 700, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46268 · PHONE: (317) 471-8277 · COPYRIGHT © 2017 CAMPTOWN INC