Camp Arrowhead was founded in 1934 by Charles 'Ewing' & Martha 'Matti Garner' Gillis as non-denominational, private camp for girls.  Martha received the camping bug while working at Camp Capers in Waring, TX in the 1920's.  Ewing used his engineering & law degrees from Tulane University to design and build the camp from the bottom up.  Ewing & Martha worked as a team as co-directors until Ewing's death in 1967.  Martha's brother (Gordon) & sister (Ruth) worked with her until Martha's death in 1975.  Martha was a pioneer in camping and is listed in the "Who's Who among American Women".   Ewing & Martha had one daughter, Garner, who took over duties as director.

Garner Gillis Bartell began her camping experience as a camper at Camp Arrowhead  from 1936 - 1942.  She attended the University of Texas and returned to camp in the summer as a counselor.  She worked side-by-side with her parents and took over duties as director in 1975 and continued until her death in 1983.  She was loved by all who met her. She had a heart that endlessly gave to other people.