Meet Us
Camptown staff

Brent Freeman
President & Executive Director

Morgan Ellis
Development Director

Whitney Carriger
Director of Operations
About Brent
Brent rejoined Camptown in 2021 after 12 years working as a teacher, school leader and district administrator in the heart of Indianapolis. As an educator, he played a key role in raising graduation rates and building a culture of student and staff growth. Brent has experienced first hand how God’s creation can be the best classroom through his boyhood summers living at camps in Central Indiana and through facilitating wilderness expeditions ranging from the Allagash River in Maine to Olympic National Park in Washington. Along with his wife, Alex, and their four kids, Brent worships at Redeemer Presbyterian Church and serves as a Deacon. Their family is often hiking, camping and biking in our public lands. Brent holds a BA in Sports Management from Taylor University, MA in Teaching and Educational Leadership credential from Marian University, and has completed coursework at The Fundraising School at IUPUI. He currently holds, or has held, certifications as a teacher, school administrator, wilderness first responder, ropes course facilitator and more.
Favorite beginner’s backpacking trek: Tecumseh Trail, Indiana
About Morgan
Morgan joined Camptown staff in August 2021. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in public, nonprofit, and community recreation with a focal track in parks and recreation. Simply put, she loves camp! As a former staff member at three residential camps throughout the Midwest, Morgan moved to Indianapolis in September 2020 ready to serve youth in God’s woods and waters. In her position, Morgan will be shouting the mission of Camptown from the mountaintops and building deep relationships with our stakeholders because kids need camping and outdoor experiences now more than ever. When not at Camptown, you can find Morgan dancing, making friendship bracelets, sending letters to friends, and playing guitar for her cat Waffles and husband Jacob.
Favorite Hike: West Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ
About Whitney

Laura Gadberry
Program Director

Ted Porath
Program Director

Rachael Berggren
Development Assistant
About Laura
Laura joined Camptown in 2023 after 7 years in the disability advocacy field. A native Hoosier, Laura left Central Indiana for the Southeast to attend Samford University in Birmingham, AL majoring in Religion and continuing her studies in Public Administration at Georgia College in Milledgeville, GA. Through her work with Camptown, Laura hopes to help youth enjoy the outdoors as much as she does- by teaching them that the best views in life are earned after a little hard work! In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Adam, gardening, and corralling their many pets. Working at Camptown feels like a dream come true, blending her passion for the nonprofit sector with her personal interests of outdoor recreation.
Favorite National Park: Olympic National Park
About Ted
Ted joined Camptown staff in January 2025. Growing up in north central Wisconsin, Ted had a love for the outdoors from a young age. As a staff member with Cru for 10 years, he also had many opportunities to grow in his love for the outdoors, hiking 14ers in the Rocky Mountains and white water rafting on the Poudre River in Colorado during Cru’s biannual staff conference in Fort Collins. It was during one of these conferences in 2019 when Ted met his wife Jackie! Ted and Jackie ministered to college students at UW-Milwaukee before they, and their 1-year-old daughter, Vera, moved to Indianapolis in July 2024 to be closer to family. Ted’s passion for investing in students, his heart for the city, and his love for the outdoors make working with Camptown a great fit for him! Ted holds a BA in Journalism and History from UW-Madison and an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary (Portland, OR). In his free time, Ted loves spending time with his family, exploring new restaurants, studying the Bible, journaling, baking bread, playing games, and being active in a variety of ways.
Most memorable backpacking trip: Voyageurs National Park, MN
About Rachael
Rachael joined Camptown at the beginning of 2024. She earned her degree in film production in 2022 from Huntington University, which is also where she fell in love with fostering outdoor experiencesas the president of the Horticulture Club. Rachael is a passionate fundraiser who loves seeing plans come together and using her skills to further Camptown’s mission. Rachael truly believes that outdoor experiences should be available to everyone, and that God’s gift of nature is a precious one that should be shared. When she’s not at Camptown HQ, you can find her playing video games, estate sale thrifting, spending time with her cockatiel, or trying a new recipe from something unique she’s found at the farmers market.

Katie Lockhart
Program Manager

Emily Lampton
Program Manager

Dillon Lockwood
Program Manager
About Katie
Growing up in Southwest Ohio, Katie spent a lot of time exploring the state parks where her parents worked. Katie graduated from Miami University in 2022 after studying Anthropology and Sustainability and again in 2023 with a Master’s in Environmental Science. At 17, Katie began working at the University’s Outdoor Pursuit Center as a Team-building Facilitator, Assistant Trip Leader, and eventually an Outdoor Instructor. Her time and experience there solidified her passion for teaching others how to enjoy the outdoors without damaging it. Katie is excited to continue her passion for bringing groups together and introducing others to outdoor activities with Camptown. In her free time, she can be found exploring with her Bernese Mountain Dog, woodworking, or teaching herself a new skill.
Favorite outdoor activities: backpacking, sailing, and paddle sports
About Emily
Emily came to Camptown in 2024. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2020 with a degree in elementary education. She spent the next three years as a first-grade teacher. Emily found her love for the outdoors at a young age when she would take walks and go on fishing trips with her grandpa. When not at Camptown, you can find Emily reading, playing pickleball, hanging out with friends, and working to explore all 63 National Parks with her husband Trevor.
Favorite place to hammock: On the edge of Hume Lake. You can find it in between Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.
About Dillon
Dillon grew up in Goshen, Indiana, a small town in the center of Northern Indiana. It was up in Goshen where Dillon developed his love for working with the earth. Dillon has an extensive background in seasonal camp programming–working 6 summers at several different residential camps from Jones, Michigan to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of the Rockies. Dillon has always had a passion for working in a role where his words can make an impact and his reflective listening skills can shine. He obtained 2 degrees from Anderson University over the span of 11 years: a Bachelor’s in youth ministry and a Master’s in Theological Studies. Through every role and each degree, he has consistently found solace in the green spaces around him. It is in these green spaces that he has been able to find immense growth and peace, and he hopes to share with others the same transformational power that he found in outdoor adventure experiences.
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Beach volleyball, swimming, or nature walks with his niece, Elanor.

Maggie Mathews
Program Manager

Seth Athialy
Program Support

Don Schafer
Program Support & Advisor (Former Executive Director)
About Maggie
Maggie joined Camptown the summer of 2023. Her first job after graduating with a degree in social work was working with teenagers in crisis in a residential facility, which began a life-long journey of caring for teens and children. Maggie discovered a deep love for God’s creation while living in Crested Butte Colorado. In the Rocky Mountains, she experienced hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. She led kids in day camps that included rock climbing and rafting. During her 10 years in youth ministry that followed she often took her students on outdoor adventures. Maggie has also enjoyed coaching youth in track and cross country and running her own business leading women in boot camp style exercise classes. Another passion has been community outreach and missions. The Mathews served as missionaries in Mexico for several years, returning to the US in 2022.
Maggie’s most important occupation has been raising her three children with her husband Eddie. Her family enjoys living on a small lake and being on the water all summer. She homeschooled all of her children while having the opportunity to teach PE, drama and other classes in their homeschool cooperative.
About Seth
About Don
After 17 years in a successful career in the for profit business world, Don led Camptown from March 2004 to July 2021 as Executive Director. During his tenure, Camptown experienced tremendous growth and program expansion serving nearly 40,000 youth in Central Indiana. Prior to joining Camptown full time, Don worked with Camptown as a volunteer in a variety of roles. Don is a graduate of Indiana University with a BS in Marketing and Business Administration and has a Certificate in Fundraising from the Indiana University Fundraising School. Prior to joining Camptown he was a Regional Financial Officer for a large apartment real estate company. Don is trained as a Wilderness First Responder, is a certified instructor in Tandem Canoeing through the American Canoe Association and is a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Don has a passion for children and families and has worked with youth the past 30 years. Don has a love of the outdoors and enjoys fly fishing, camping, canoeing and biking.
Favorite Campsite: Shell Island, Boundary Waters MN

Trey Clayton
Program Support

Halle Shine
Program Facilitator

Lesly Ramirez
Program Facilitator
About Trey
Trey came to Camptown in 2016. After graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University with a degree in Youth Ministry, he took over leadership of a summer camp near Lafayette, Indiana for four years. After leaving the world of residential camp, he wanted to continue to be part of outdoor facilitation. Trey has not discovered an unlikeable outdoor activity and loves teaching through the different challenges each brings to the table. His drive is to make everyone he meets successful in some way and is excited to be a part of Camptown’s goal of leading youth to a better path! In Trey’s down time he is usually found working on his cabin or on his quest to summit all of the highest points in the US.
Favorite Peak: Guadalupe in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX
About Halle
Halle works as a Math Instructor at Indy Met High School. She started working for Camptown in 2022 and helped launch the Reach for Nature program at her school. She got into outdoor education by becoming a student leader with IU Outdoor Adventures.
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Canoeing & Backpacking!
About Lesly
Lesly works as a ENL paraprofessional for Wayne Township. She was introduced to Camptown in 2021, as a volunteer through the REACH for Nature Program at Indy Met High School, and within a few months officially became part of the Camptown team. She grew up not having as many outdoor experiences as she would have liked, and the REACH for Nature program really spiked a new found interest and passion for the great outdoors. A passion and interest she hopes to pass on to new generations.

Larry "Grey" Mitchell
Program Support

Anthony Douthit, Jr.
Lead Mentor

Cynthia Schafer
Program Support
About Larry
Larry “Grey” Mitchell …Guide, explorer, curious learner, pilgrim, storyteller, listener sharing life with people through a variety of educational spaces…college professor, high school coach and teacher, pastor, spiritual director, wilderness guide. Grey strolls the paths, sidewalks and hallways of life with pockets stuffed full of questions, a blues tune on his lips, a hockey stick close by and a hearty conviction that we’re all pilgrims doused in grace making our way home. As a guide – not to mention father, grand-father, husband, and neighbor- he is compelled to create safe and challenging opportunities for his fellow pilgrims to explore the intricacies and complexities of life and faith. Exploring passion for life and compassion for the other, whether around a table, on a porch, walking gritty urban sidewalks or dusty wilderness trails he sets a pace and makes the space to listen and see. see, question, wonder, wander, ponder and percolate. Over the years he has guided a few hundred pilgrimage experiences helping others explore this gritty, glorious grind called life through questions, ponderings, doubts, disruptions, discoveries, laughter, tears, wanderings and wonderings. It is all part of the walk and he loves it.
Favorite Hiking Journey: walking across Scotland coast to coast on the South Upland Way
About Anthony
Anthony Douthit Jr,“ (DOW-THIT)” joined Camptown in February 2024 as a consultant and lead mentor. Anthony is a certified life coach and founding CEO of No-Off Season, LLC, “Where there are NO DAYS OFF IN LIFE.” Anthony began his career in behavioral health 18 years ago while working in behavioral health facilities for youth and young adults. Anthony’s passion for underserved youth, families, and cultural inclusion/diversity within communities, grew into his mission to bring about intentional and sustainable change. Anthony was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. He’s married with two children and a dog. In his spare time, Anthony likes to play basketball, visit different parks, and travel. Anthony is excited to be partnering with Camptown, where faith and the outdoors not only meet, but align. Anthony and his family are believers in Christ and worship at Kingdom Apolostolic Ministries (KAM).
Favorite Outdoor Activities: Kickball, Swimming, Nature walks in the morning (at Eagle Creek Park) “A true Hoosier”.
About Cynthia
Cynthia joined the Camptown staff as a volunteer in March of 2004 to provide administrative support and continue with development efforts. Since November 2005, Cynthia has been on staff providing grant writing and administrative support functions. She likes to say that she does everything from washing sleeping bags to writing grant proposals. Cynthia is a BSN graduate from Indiana University. Her nursing experience includes working at Wishard Health Services where she helped to manage the Inpatient Obstetrical Units until 1998, she worked as a school nurse for the Zionsville Schools and is currently working for IU Health as a Labor & Delivery Nurse. Cynthia is active in several ministry areas at her church. She loves hiking and spending time outdoors.
Favorite Hammock Spot: Rialto Beach Olympic National Park

Chad Martz
Program Facilitator

Nicole Webb
Program Facilitator

Jacob Byrd
Operations Assistant
About Chad
About Nicole
About Jacob
Give Today
$5
$10
$50
$250
$500
Other