In addition to our year-round team, the Lord blesses us with a wonderful and nurturing summer staff each year. Our summer hires consist of around 50 college students, 10-20 senior staff, and support staff of local men and women who work in the kitchen, on the maintenance crew, or as housekeepers. It is quite a team, and we are grateful for the many hands (and heads and hearts) that work together to give children this nurturing, growing experience.

The Hurt Family – Directors + Owners

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 here to learn more about the Hurt family.

Emily West – Assistant Director

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 Williams – Office Administrator

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 – Facilities Manager

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 successful 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 entrepreneurial endeavor!

Susanna Wiggins – Community Engagement Coordinator

Susanna Wiggins is the Community Engagement Coordinator - meaning she keeps our digital presence strong so that you can stay connected to Camp no matter the season! Susanna is a recent graduate of Auburn University with a BFA in Graphic Design, and she has been the summer photographer at Camp since 2023. Susanna moved to Mentone in January 2025 and you’ve seen her handiwork in social media posts, website updates, and designs for the Camp DeSoto Store. Outside of Camp, Sus continues to serve with the student ministry at Gardendale First Baptist Church and develop her own photography and design projects. We are lucky to have her!

Margot Messer – Food Service Director

Margot Messer moved to Valley Head in 2025 to join the Camp DeSoto team as our year-round Food Service Director. She came to us from the Carolinas after wearing many hats, including several different jobs as a Chef. She is mom and grandmother and sister to many (including Mary Linz, who preceded her as the head of the Camp DeSoto kitchen!) Margot and Mary are a wonderful new addition to our year-round community. They live together in Valley Head with their dogs, their chickens, and their garden. Margot is particularly gifted at bringing new life and beauty to well-worn things!

Maintenance Staff

The year-round maintenance team consists of Elizabeth (Liz) Boluck, Jeremy Ball, and Alexander (Bubba) Cordell.

During the summer, 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.

Interested in working on our Summer Staff?
Read below to learn more about what makes each of our positions unique!