Brent Freeman, Executive Director
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 as the son of a camp director 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: Low Gap Trail, Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Morgan Ellis, Development Manager
Morgan joined Camptown staff in August 2021 and helps make the fundraising magic happen! She is a graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Public, Nonprofit, and Nommunity 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 with Camptown, 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, and playing guitar for her cat Waffles and husband Jacob.
Favorite Hike: West Fork Trail, Sedona, AZ
Whitney Carriger, Operations Manager
Whitney joined staff in June of 2022 after 8 years in early childhood education in Indianapolis both as an assistant director and teacher. She graduated from Purdue University Global with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Administration and a Master’s in Educational Psychology. Whitney’s passion for the outdoors centers around rock climbing/backpacking with hundreds of hours climbing in the Red River Gorge and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. She would love to visit the highest point in each state with her husband Brian and two children Ada & Everett. Whitney’s background in learning, development, and administration integrated with passion for nature substantiates her vision and drive to be a part of Camptown and supports the connection between humans and nature.Sam Conrad, REACH for Nature Program Director
Sam joined Camptown in August 2022 after working in nonprofit youth ministry in Indianapolis for 6+ years. As a kid, Sam soaked up time outside camping, swimming, and playing in the dirt, and as an adult, she likes to spend her time as if childhood never ended. Working with students has been a great way to stay connected to the wonder of childhood, and through them she has learned to stay curious about God and others and to find joy in the small things. Sam’s grateful to be working alongside such like-minded people, exploring with students and enjoying the awe of Creation. In her spare time, you’ll find her tromping through a creek or swinging on her porch with her son and husband.
Maggie Barnes, Senior Program Director REACH for Nature
Maggie’s love for the outdoors started at a young age through camping trips, backpacking adventures, and living on both the west and east coast. Her desire to understand and care for people prompted her to earn a BA in psychology from Furman University in Greenville, SC. Although she has been working in the nonprofit sector for 15 years and in early education for over 6 years, her greatest lessons (and joys!) in loving people are learned day to day through her family – her husband Brett and their 3 daughters. As a family, they enjoy being in nature and try to visit at least 1 national park every summer with the hopes of seeing them all one day! Just as nature has had a transformative effect on her own life, Maggie has a vision to share the wonder, adventure, and beauty of the outdoors with the youth she serves. She is excited to live out her love for people and love for the outdoors through the mission and work of Camptown!
Favorite Hike: The Narrows in Zion National Park
Collin Emmert, Program Manager
Collin joined the Camptown staff in May 2019. After graduating from Hanover College with a degree in History, Collin worked for the Noblesville School Corporation as an Instructional Assistant and Coach. Growing up in Noblesville, Collin found the love for the outdoors through Boy Scouts. While in scouts, Collin hiked in New Mexico at Philmont Scout Ranch and also hiked from the Antietam Battlefield to Gettysburg on the Appalachian trail. He has also earned the Boy Scouts highest achievement of Eagle Scout. When not at Camptown working with students, Collin loves playing Ultimate Frisbee and volunteering at his church’s youth group.
Favorite Piece of Camping Equipment: His hammock, so he can relax in the evenings before meal preparation.
Laura Gadberry, Program Manager
Laura joined Camptown in March 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
Tom Gattuso, Program Manager
Tom joined Camptown in April 2023 after spending time in the tech industry working in the Salesforce ecosystem. Tom found his passion for the outdoors at a summer camp in Ohio where he worked as a counselor for two summers. After graduating from Idaho State University in 2011 with a degree in Outdoor Education, he continued his journey in the camping industry as a Program Staff and Program Director at Camp Rancho Framasa located in Nashville, Indiana and Program Coordinator at Camp Ondessonk in Southern Illinois. Tom also spent 2 years as a Youth Minister for a conglomeration of churches in Terre Haute, Indiana. Tom has a deep passion for his faith and the outdoors and enjoys backpacking, rock climbing, canoe/kayaking, and helping people connect with the natural world. He lives in Greenwood with his wife, two kids, and Golden Retriever. Tom is most excited about sharing his love for God and adventuring in the outdoors with those he encounters at Camptown.
Favorite Campfire Eat: The classic, the favorite, THE S’MORE
Quin Malloy, Site Leader
Quin attends IUPUI for her Bachelors in Sustainability Management and plans to pursue a masters degree at the University of Colorado. All her life, she has had a passion for helping the environment and showing others the importance of it. Her love for nature came from growing up near Eagle Creek and being able to attend lots of summer camps, including ornithology camp. Quin considers herself a real bird nerd! She also likes to travel and has a goal of visiting every National Park in the United States, with Rocky Mountain National Park being one for her favorites so far. She likes to spend her free time hiking, painting, and camping places she’s never been before.
Favorite Birds: Corvidae, specifically Magpies
Trey Clayton, Program Support
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
Don Schafer, Program Support & Advisor (Former Executive Director)
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
Cynthia Schafer, Program Support
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
