Adventure with a Purpose

ADVENTURE
WITH A PURPOSE
2008 ANNUAL REPORT
From the President
W
e all know the issues youth face today; broken families,
poverty, violence, drugs and alcohol are all around them, and
with a struggling economy many of these issues in their lives
worsen. That is why it is important for youth to have confidence,
someone to confide in, and hopes of a positive future.
This is where Camptown comes in. Getting youth into
nature is a great way to break down barriers and really connect
with them. Camptown makes an impact on youth in four key
areas: building confidence, teamwork, leadership and respect.
2008 was a year of incredible growth for Camptown.
In a variety of day, overnight and weeklong programs
Camptown served 1,102 unduplicated youth, an increase of
248% compared to 2007. Most of the growth in numbers
came from two new programs rolled out this year. How Wild
is Your School? and Camp Days (see Custom Programming
for a description of these programs). Through these two
programs we were able to reach out to 520 elementary
students. We also continue to reach those most in need.
In 2008, Camptown provided financial assistance to 95%
of the program participants, 69% of which receives free
or reduced lunches. As we look to 2009, we are expecting
another increase in services as the need continues to grow.
We want to thank our contributors, board members,
volunteers, and friends for all of their hard work, support
and encouragement this year. It is because of you that
we can make a difference in the lives of our youth.
Don Schafer, President
“I can do things I really thought I could not” - Student
Our Mission
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.
Goals
Our goal is to equip youth with the life skills
needed to thrive in today’s culture. Through
our wilderness programming, we strive to
make a significant impact on each participant.
Youth who complete one of our programs
will:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, Christel
House Academy, IPS Schools, Indy Parks,
Reach for Youth, Fishers Parks, Mary Rigg
Community Center, Girls Inc., Zionsville
High School, Lebanon High School, Central
Christian Church, Shepherd Community Center, Jewel Christian Academy, St.
Richard’s School, and Concord Community
Center.
Custom Programming
• Learn teambuilding skills as they work
together with fellow youth on projects
in a way that is active, respectful, and
encouraging.
Camptown provides custom programming
for each group it serves. Camptown is not
a residential camp. Programs take place on
both public and private lands throughout the
United States. Our programs are intentional
about enabling youth to experience success by
teaching them how to prepare and live out a
journey. We provide an experience that brings
maximum benefits for each group according
to age, maturity, and physical ability. The
following focus areas are a starting point for
developing a custom program:
• Develop leadership skills that will be
carried over into their daily lives.
Wilderness Adventures
• Build confidence as they learn to
appreciate their unique gifts and talents,
understanding their value as individuals
and their ability to contribute to their
community.
• Develop a respect and compassion for
other people and the environment they
live in.
Wilderness Adventure options include
hikes, canoe trips, camping, backpacking and
whitewater rafting. Adventures can last a day,
a weekend or an entire week.
Who We Serve
Wilderness Camp Day
Youth from all walks of life share many of
the same challenges. Youth, no matter what
their circumstances, can benefit from the life
skills learned though a Camptown adventure.
Camptown is open to all children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 years of age, regardless of
background or income.
Collaborations
Camptown collaborates with schools,
churches, youth groups, alternative schools,
home school students, after school programs,
and individuals to design a program that
meets their specific needs. This year
Camptown partnered with groups such as:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana,
Camp Days are targeted to younger students
and consist of a variety of outdoor activity
stations, that allows the students to explore
outdoor recreation in a safe environment.
Activities may include: fishing, nature hiking,
teambuilding games, outdoor cooking, fire
building, canoeing, geocaching, learning
about reptiles, and many more.
Missions/Spiritual
Developing a sense of purpose and identity
are crucial to a young person’s spiritual growth
and overall well being. These experiences will
expose participants to the idea that life on
earth is a blessing given by our creator and
how to live life beyond our own self interest.
“I really appreciate all Camptown did for these teens,
they don’t get to experience things like this ever.”
2008 Adult Sponsor
“The kids really enjoyed it and I feel this was a great
experience for them…The kids were so much nicer and
respectful to one another! Great Job!” 2008 Adult Sponsor
Youth with Disabilities
Service Projects
Our youth with disabilities programs are designed to help youth look beyond their disability
and see that they can do anything they put their
mind to; to try things that they do not think
they can accomplish and succeed. Activities are
planned with each group’s abilities in mind so
that everyone will succeed.
Service projects enable youth to better serve
their communities and become better citizens.
Whether cleaning up a portion of the White
River, working on trail restoration, or serving
meals to the homeless, Camptown service
projects enable youth to better serve their communities and become good citizens.
How Wild is Your School?
Teambuilding
A new program in 2008, “How Wild is Your
School?” is a fun and thought provoking way to
teach students about the world around them.
Camptown takes this program to local schools
and brings outdoor education to everyday life
through hands on learning experiences that not
only teach students about nature, but also help
to develop a love for the environment.
Camptown designs teambuilding workshops and
adventures for groups of all ages or organizations
with a goal of developing a more cohesive team
and a more effective working atmosphere.
Financial Summary as of December 31, 2008
Income
Contributions
Event Income
Fees From Services
Grant Income
Other Income
Total Income
67,249
102,094
43,397
43,531
4,402
260,673
Expenses
Program
213,070
Management & General 11,190
Fundraising
10,790
Total Expenses
235,050
“I learned not to give up as much, I am going to
challenge myself” – Student
Our Supporters
Individuals
Katherine Adams
Mark Adams
Wes & Stephanie Addington
Brian Alfred
John & Laurie Anderson
Todd & Laurie Andrews
Julie Bannon
Jessica Barker
Tanya Barmore
David Barrett
Ron Baylog
Tim & Melissa Bender
Becky Bennett
Tim Bennett
Jack Berry
Christine Betzler
Leretta Beyer
Richard Blaiklock
Thomas Blanchard
Brenda Bradley
David Brentlinger
Brett Brewer
Stuart & Nancy Bright
Pete Buck
Pat Burley
Steve and Sha’ Butz
Richard Carriger
Chris & Marsha Carvin
Amber Chance
David Craig
Bob Chambers
David Charles
Philip Clark
Kathy Clark
Bob & Cathy Clark
Richard & Buff Clark
Tamara Cole
Pam Cutcliff
James and Edith Davison
Scott & Lorraine Davison
Don & Alice Dickenson
Jennifer Dent
Mike & Mary Devlin
Laura Dretzler
Brian Downey
Scot & Lisa Evans
Jim Freeman
William Freudenthal
John Geary
Alva Goshen
Mary Bennett Graub
Kent & Kelly Grubaugh
Hattye Hall
Bill Hannah
Vic & Vicki Hamer
Winton Herron
Nancy Hettlinger
John Hoard
Danny Hockett
Kathy Hursh
Linda Hutchinson
Aaron Hughes
Kathy & Rick Hursh
Erica Hursh
Kristin Hursh
Brent Hyslop
Robert Jordan
John Kennedy
Phil & Chris LaBlonde
Floyd Kline
Pat Krugman
Beata Lehman
Rocky Lehman
Bruce Lyon
Doug McConnell
Janna Miller
Beth Mayhew
Karl & Lynette Miller
Joe Mitchell
Judy Meyer
Dayton & Trudy Molendrop
Ed & Becky Moore
William Moores
Steven Morris
Deb & Bill Molisee
Gregg Montgomery
Joseph Mrak
Jim Nagy
Kevin Neal
Janie Naraine
Adam & Sarah Nielsen
Kevin Pahud
Scott Peterson
Don Petrulis
Jim Plew
Nicholas Poletika
Ron & Judy Rich
Mike & Lisa Russell
Cheryl Hall Russell
George Sapp
Don Schafer Sr.
Don & Cynthia Schafer
Jim & Sandy Schaller
Alex Sharpe
Bob & Lois Sharpe
Mike Shumaker
Malcolm Snell
William Sowle
Lloyd Spencer
Saundra Stark
Robert Steck
Jim Steckley
Benjamin Stein
Connie Stevens
Joan & Elmer Stocker
Ron Taisch
Bob & Leanna VanVoorst
Jim Wagner
John & Patricia Waidner
John Weldy
Debbie Ward
Tim & Amy Wiley
Andrew Wilkinson
Vicki Yamasaki
Michael Young
Thomas Zurek
Businesses
All Trades Staffing
Anthony Builders
Arkenau Landscaping
Bamberger, Foreman, Oswald
& Hahn
Brandt Construction
Braun & Sullivan LLP
Bulldog Trucking
Calumet Asphalt Paving
Cardinal Wireless
Cary Brown Farms LTD
CCR Group
Craig Sharpe— Century 21
Realty Group I
Custom Cast Stone
Custom Concrete
Delello & Sons Asphalt
Design & Construction, LLC
Dorsey Excavating, Inc.
Griffith & Sons, Inc.
E & B Paving, Inc.
Filson Earthworks
First Merchants Bank
Great Lakes Wire & Cable
Gregg Montgomery Builders
GRW Engineers
Hamilton County Co-op
Heavy Duty Trucking, Inc
IDS Blast Finishing
Indiana Truck Sales
Irwin Union Bank
Javelina Construction Inc.
Kaiser Real Estate, Inc.
Karns Inc.
Katz, Sapps & Miller
Lawrence & Reckel
Martin Marietta
MaxIT Healthcare LLC
Meadowbrook Animal Clinic
Midwest Mortgage Planner, Inc.
National Bank of Indianapolis
Nancy Steffes LLC
Navjet Consultants
Neil Atwell, Inc.
NK Hurst
Noblesville Landfill
Pacer’s Sports &Entertainment
Prime Pay, Inc.
Runyon Tool Rental
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Schroeder & Company
Spectrum LLC
Storage Solutions
St. Vincent’s Hospital
Taft Law
Tobias Insurance
Transcorr Trucking
Trent Company
Web Sales of Indiana
Wesley’s Lawn Care Inc.
Churches
Central Christian Church
Calvary United Methodist
Church
Our Lady of Grace Catholic
Church
Foundations
Efroymson Family Fund
Estridge Family Foundation
The Indianapolis Foundation
Christel DeHann Family
Foundation
Herr Family Foundation
Hook Drug Foundation
Indiana Sports Corporation—
CHAMPS Grant
Lilly Endowment
Palmer Family Foundation
Peyback Foundation
Thomasson Family
Foundation
2008 Camptown
Board of Directors
Scott Davison
Board Chair
OneAmerica Companies
Kent Grubaugh
Vice Chair
Custom Cast Stone
Ron Rich
Treasurer
Capstone Wealth Advisors
Bob Clark
Secretary
Taft Law
Don Schafer
President
Camptown, Inc.
Pete Buck
Katz, Sapper & Miller
David Craig
Craig Consulting
Mike Devlin
Floor Graphics
Mary Devlin
St. Vincent Hospital
Cheryl Hall-Russell
Indiana Youth
Services Association
Kathy Hursh
Indiana University
School of Public &
Environmental Affairs
Theo Matthews
Student
Sarah Nielsen
Marion County Community
Corrections
Craig Sharpe
Century 21 Realty Group I
Katherine Simons
Emmis Communications