Don Schafer, Executive Director
After 17 years in 
a successful career in the for profit business world, Don joined Camptown in March 2004 as Executive Director. 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. 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 through the Wilderness Medicine Institute, is a certified instructor in River Essentials 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 20 years. He is active in the youth programming at Central Christian Church and Boy Scouts. Don has a love of the outdoors and enjoys backpacking, camping, canoeing and mountain biking.
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 School Corporation and is currently working for IU Health as a Resource Staff Nurse for Labor & Delivery, Post Partum and Newborn Nursery. Cynthia is active in several ministry areas at her church. She loves hiking and spending time outdoors.
Brandon Cole, Program Director
Brandon joined Camptown in the fall of 2009, while completing his masters’ degree in physical education and working at IUPUI as the Intramural Coordinator in the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports and as a challenge course facilitator for Bu t ler Universities Challenge Education. While completing his undergraduate degree in physical education, Brandon had the opportunity to compete as a division one cross country runner. Brandon is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and Wilderness First Responder through the Wilderness Medicine Institute.
Brandon has a passion for the outdoors which includes hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, mountain biking, and fishing, all of which he is excited to share with the youth and future leaders of tomorrow.
Eric Bond, Program Director
Eric joined Camptown in 2010. His love for the outdoors was enhanced through his work at Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, where he gained his Naturalist certificate and Water Resource Analyst certificate. Eric also was an Environmental educator in their K-12 programming, where he was able to share his passion for nature with children. Coupled with his Bachelors form Cornerstone University in Environmental Biology, Eric brings a love and knowledge of the inner workings of the natural world. Eric is a Wilderness First Responder through Wilderness Medicine Institute.
Eric’s passion for the outdoors flows over into many of his hobbies including: backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, and cross-country skiing.
Steve Vedra, Director of Development
Steve joined Camptown in early 2012 and brings over seven years of fundraising experience obtained in the museum and higher education fields. He earned an MBA from Butler University in 2010 with an emphasis in marketing and entrepreneurship. Steve actively volunteers for his undergraduate fraternity at the local, division and national level by facilitating workshops on character education and principle based living. His passion for the outdoors began at an early age during camping trips with the Boy Scouts on his path toward the rank of Eagle Scout.
Steve enjoys restoring antique radios, studying the American Civil War and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.
Ciaran Connery, Program Leader
Ciaran joined Camptown in the fall of 2011, while pursuing his masters’ degree in adventure education through Plymouth State University. Originally from Ireland, Ciaran served as an infantry captain in the Irish military forces for fourteen years, seeing active duty service in Lebanon and West Africa, before moving to the US with his family. Prior to joining the staff at Camptown, Ciaran worked with Camptown as a volunteer on several youth programs and was chosen as volunteer of the year in 2010. Ciaran is a member of the Association of Experiential Education and is qualified in Wilderness First Aid through SOLO Wilderness Medicine.
Ciaran has a passion for coaching and he is the head coach for an Indianapolis-based, Irish sports club with over 200 members. He loves to stay active and in particular loves encouraging people of all ages and especially kids to strive for their potential through team-building activities, outdoor adventures and experiential education opportunities.
