IRS Approved 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

 
Our Mission at Whispering Pines of Clinton County

“Refreshing the soul through nature and conservation.”  

WP Group Picture

Our Story

After closing down for more than a year, Camp Joy, a treasured Clinton County retreat that has served the local Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other organizations since 1946, reopened as Whispering Pines of Clinton County in 2022.

The land was originally owned by the Schafly family of Carlyle, IL who donated the property to the Boy Scouts Kaskaskia Council in 1945. Vernon Joy of Centralia, IL bought the property in 1946 from the Boy Scouts for $7,750 and deeded it to the Centralia Foundation who then assigned the property to the Boy Scouts where it remained for over 75 years.

On January 1, 2021 the Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts voted to discontinue operations at Camp Joy, whereupon, the property reverted back to the Centralia Foundation.

During October 2021, the Centralia Foundation met with Carl Becker, John Burke of the Jared Burke Foundation, Cindy Timmermann, Brian Fuehne and current camp caretakers Gary Renschen, Helen Renschen and Dan Gross. The team shared their desire to continue the legacy that Vernon Joy originally started in 1946 by offering diverse programs to serve a broader spectrum of individuals. Also, the importance of leaving this property for future generations to enjoy.

On April 7, 2022, the Centralia Foundation entrusted Carl and Taylor Becker to purchase the property.  A trust with an irrevocable structure was established for this property to ensure that Whispering Pines of Clinton County remains to be enjoyed by many and especially be available to assist with health, character and welfare of those in need and our youth.

As stated by Carl Becker and John Burke, “We are sometimes faced with tragic challenges where Whispering Pines of Clinton County can be a special retreat for those who may need to embrace visible or invisible issues with the help of getting back to nature.”

Lake Panoramic

Board of Directors

Carl is married to Taylor (RN & camp advocate) and has two children who graduated from college – a daughter who is a physicians assistant and a son who is in pharmaceutical development using his chemistry degree. His daughter is married to a Green Beret/Special Forces in the Army who also is a physician assistant that specializes in cardiac care. 

Carl lived in Bartelso and attended the local elementry school. In his youth, Carl was in the  Boy Scouts Troop 223. He enjoyed many camping and scouting events at Camp Joy where he completed many merit badges and the Order of the Arrow.  After attending Central High School, he moved to Florida to work through college to receive his degree at the University of Florida. While working through college, Carl experienced the tragic loss of his brother while they were working on a communications tower. Carl feels that the development and experiences in the Boy Scouts and Order of the Arrow which included time spent at Camp Joy, assisted him to make it through this tramatic occurance and to continue life. 

Carl has organized and lead many non-for-profit organizations along with fundraisers. For example, he coordinated the resources of the City of LaCrosse, local  techincal colleges, businesses and volunteers to build an enclosed two- story warming area in a hockey arena.  Also, Carl helped a friend in Breese who was diagnosed  with Lou Gehrigs Disease.  Carl lead the organization and fundraiser to raise a signifcant amount of money for the surviving spouse and family to help cover the expenses of his friend while he was living and financial support to his family. 

Education & Achievements

  • High School, Breese Central, IL. Academic and athletic awards along with voted most valuable classmate by senior students at graduation.  
  • B.S. degree in mathematics with computer science minor from the University of Florida, Gainesville 
  • Masters Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Illinois, Springfield
  • 23 merit badges and Order of Arrow in Boy Scouts Troup 223 of Bartelso, IL
  • Former President of Youth Hockey association, La Crosse, WI
  • Former Director for the Board of Network Knowledge (public television), Springfield, IL
  • CEO Global Operational and Financial Achievement Award – Gardner Denver (Five awards provided globally), Quincy, IL
  • Frank Barker Wellness Program Award, Jacksonville, FL
  • Certificated Employee Benefits Specialist & Compensation Professional  

Carl continues to own the family home in Bartelso, IL with his brother and sister.  They also own 60 acres of timber in Bartelso on Covington Road near the Kaskaskia River.

Carl and Taylor’s passion & vision are for the current Whispering Pines of Clinton County property to be available for many youth and Veterans along with other organizations.  They envision Whispering Pines of Clinton County to offer the experiences as they had in camps during their youth.

I was born and raised in Centralia, Illinois.  I met my husband Robb in high school and we married in 1987.  We have two children, Brandon who is married to Paige and is a practicing attorney in Edwardsville and Wentzville, MO., and Jordan who is married to Trisha and is an accountant in Centralia.  We have one grandchild and another on the way.

I attended St. Mary school growing up and learned the values of helping others at a young age.  We have contributed to many major projects in our community over the years.  I retired from my job in 2021 with a goal of serving others with my time, talent and treasures.

Experience

CFO                     6/1997 to 3/2021

Big 3 Precision Mold Services, Inc./Big 3 Precision Products, Inc.         Centralia, IL

  • Assist in growing company from $18 million in sales to $70 million with acquisition of companies in North America and the UK 
  • Develop financial and tax strategies
  • Manage the capital request and budgeting processes
  • Maintain in-depth relations with all members of the management team
  • Oversee the company’s transaction processing systems
  • Oversee the financial operations of subsidiary companies
  • Report financial results to management
  • Maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations
  • Monitor cash balances and cash forecasts
  • Maintain banking relationships
  • Set up and maintain SOX 

Staff Accountant           3/1988 to 6/1997

Holt and Patterson CPA’s                   Centralia, IL

  • Government and Corporate Auditing
  • Individual, Corporate, and Trust & Estate Tax Preparation
  • Compilation & Review
  • Specialized in setting up accounting software for business & training

Teller/Customer Service 5/1984 to 3/1988

Magna Bank Centralia, IL

  • Customer Service Specialist

Education

Centralia High School 1984

Associate of Applied Science Accounting and Computer Information Systems degree 1987

Kaskaskia College Centralia, IL

Member Phi Theta Kappa

Bachelor of Science Accounting 1992

Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL

Personal Experience

Certified Instructor Business in the Classroom Illinois Chamber of Commerce 1990-1996

Beta Sigma Phi served as President and Treasurer 1990-2005

Board President and served on board St. Mary School, Centralia 1994-2003

Board President and served on board St. Mary Church, Centralia 2004-2008

Financial literacy teacher to 7th and 8th grade 2022

Key Individuals and Organizations

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