Meet the Staff
Camp DeSoto would not be what it is without a staff of strong women - and a few good men - to bring it to life! We are grateful to God for consistently providing a wonderful and nurturing Summer Staff each year, in addition to the few of us who work year-round in Mentone.
We hire a summer staff to fill about 50 college staff positions, 10-15 senior staff positions, and a support staff of locals who make up the office, kitchen, maintenance, ane housekeeping crews. It is quite a team,and we are grateful for the many hands (and heads and hearts) that pull together to give children this nurturing, growing experience.
Year-Round Staff
The Hurts have been a part of Camp DeSoto since 1987. Phil and Marsha co-directed Camp for over 30 years, and they recently passed the reins to their daughter, Sarah. Click below to learn more about the Hurt family.
About the DirectorsEmily Thornton West
Emily is the Assistant Director focused on Staffing and the Camp Program. She grew up in North Alabama and graduated from Sewanee in 2010. Before coming to Camp Desoto, Emily worked in Birmingham in higher education and the nonprofit community for over 10 years. She has experience in program development, team building, community engagement, and conflict transformation.
Emily grew up attending Camp McDowell, an Episcopal Church Camp in Alabama, where she also served on staff. She and her husband Jack moved to Mentone in the fall of 2023, and they are excited to be a part of the community. Emily loves swimming, sunshine, summer, cooking, and living close to Little River.
Emily handles all kinds of camp details, from hiring summer staff to managing camp activities. After her first summer in 2024, she is a tried and true DeSoto girl!
Madeline Camp Williams
Madeline is the Office Administrator at Camp, and she is the voice of Camp DeSoto for anyone who calls the office. Madeline grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama, graduated from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and is known for her can-do attitude and adventurous spirit. She married her husband Jacob in March 2024, and they live together in Mentone, not far from Camp.
In the summer, Madeline is joined in the Camp office by her mother, Suzanne Camp. Suzanne is a long-time educator in the Fort Payne school system.
Jacob Williams
Jacob is the Facilities Manager at Camp (and husband to Madeline.) Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduate of Auburn University, Jacob has a can-do, get-it-done mentality that is invaluable around Camp. Even better, he cares about people and ensures that the maintenance and housekeeping crews feel succesful as a team.
Jacob and Madeline married and moved to Mentone in the spring of 2024. When they aren’t at Camp, you’ll find them pursuing all kinds of outdoor adventures, visiting a national park, enjoying time with their families, or pursuing an enrepreneurial endeavor!
Maintenance Staff
The year-round maintenance team consists of Elizabeth (Liz) Boluck, Jeremy Ball, and Alexander (Bubba) Cordell.
During the summer months, this crew includes a few more team members who make sure the grass is mown, the barn stalls are fresh and clean, and the trash is taken out! Not to mention moving benches, setting up for Special Events, and so much more.
Many of camp’s buildings and grounds projects were overseen by former Heads of Maintenance at Camp, Herman Justice and Kaleb (Chuck) McMunn - We are very grateful for them!
Summer Staff
Camp DeSoto hires approximately 50 college-age young women each summer. These staff members are the strength of Camp DeSoto, and they model love and service to campers each summer.
Camp DeSoto Staff are counselors in the truest sense of the word, offering campers their friendship, guidance, and nurturing care.
We also hire around 10 Adult Staff members each term. These staff members serve as Camp Doctors, Nurses, Head counselors, Resident Artists, or activity specialists.
Adult Staff provide structure, stability, and support, enabling college staff to give themselves fully to campers.
DeSoto counselors are the heart of the Camp experience.
Explore the "Staff" section of our website to learn more about what we look for in the college girls we hire.
Learn MoreMy two summers as a DeSoto counselor were the most transformative summers of my life. I had camped for 9 summers, but my staff experience was completely different in the best way possible! At the end of staff training, I received my list of six 7th graders and knew none of their names, but I knew that I was called to love them. And that is what I did for the month! I loved and loved and loved again even on the days when it was hard, and I know that it was the Lord who allowed me to keep on loving.
