LEADERSHIP
Camp Fern Legacy’s mission is to enrich the physical, social and spiritual lives of campers by creating programming that encourages personal growth, long-lasting friendships, and develops life skills that our campers take with them beyond the summer.
Sarah Stephens Hoffman
Executive Director
Camp has always been a part of her life. Even before she arrived on the doorstep of Sweet Gum Suite at age 8, Sarah Stephens Hoffman had watched her older sisters disappear for a few weeks each summer and return home with stories, songs, new friends, and a mountain of dirty laundry! Fast forward a few years, actually a lot of years, and Sarah is thrilled to arrive on the new, yet familiar, doorstep of Camp Fern Legacy as its Executive Director.
Sarah has packed her own trunk with every perspective of camp—camper, counselor, assistant director and department head, parent, camp ambassador, trusted advisor, and volunteer. She brings five decades of camp love and experience, plus fresh ideas and energy to her new role.
“Camp has brought such joy to my life and its lessons have stayed with me always: How to live with others, perseverance to master a new skill, care for God’s creation, resilience through hardship, teamwork, respect, and compassion. The camp experience is like no other and I’m incredibly honored to carry on these traditions and introduce new generations to Camp Fern Legacy.”
A native of Shreveport, Sarah has called New Orleans home since 1995, following her graduation from Centenary College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She has 26 years’ experience as a PK4 to 3rd grade teacher including most recently as the lead Kindergarten instructor at Stuart Hall School for Boys in New Orleans. Sarah and her husband, Lawrence, have two adult children who have also grown up at Camp. Elisabeth (24) and Yates (21) have participated as campers and counselors, helping to carry on the best of camp for new generations.
“Throughout my life, personally and professionally, I have been blessed to see each child as a unique and precious individual. My role is to encourage discovery, nurture creativity, and create a warm and welcoming environment. Whether providing support through challenges or silliness and a good belly laugh, I know affirmation and love help bring out the best in children. Camp Fern Legacy is an amazing place for all of us and I’m counting the days until summer!”
Suzy Littlejohn Watts
Director of Recruitment and Development
Suzy Littlejohn Watts grew up at Camp Fern while her mother was the camp nurse and her father was the camp doctor. When she was old enough, she became an official camper. She spent eight years as a camper, eight years as a counselor and two years as a Program Director.
As a member of the founding camp family, a love of Camp Fern runs through her blood. She is honored to help continue Camp Fern traditions at Camp Fern Legacy. Her goal as Program Director is to champion Camp mission of building character, fostering life-long friendships and teaching life skills, all in a safe, encouraging environment.
Through increased counselor training and various certification in their specific areas during the off-season and continued training during the summer, she plans to have an accomplished staff to teach your children strong skills in the various activities offered.
She holds a Bachelors Degree in English and Art History from Baylor University and a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts. She is an avid gardener and has used her Master Gardener certification for years at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School as the Gardening Teacher. Prior to teaching she spent many years running her own catering business.
Suzy looks forward to helping your campers grow into the very best versions of themselves.
Duval Hilbert
Boys Camp Director
In 2021, he went on to marry another ferny, Lennsey (Hanchey) Hilbert in their home city of New Orleans, LA. In August of 2023, they celebrated the birth of their son. Lennsey will also be part of the team at Camp Fern Legacy. She holds a master’s degree in behavior analysis and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She is eager to promote the social emotional development of our campers.
Duval will now devote his time solely to Camp Fern Legacy, as the continued overseer of the horseback riding department and director of Boys Camp. Duval is eager to continue to be able to help nurture and develop the youth that attend Camp Fern Legacy, and give them the opportunity to develop a passion and love for a place he holds very dear to his heart.
The Hilbert’s are so proud to be a part of the tradition of Camp Fern Legacy and to be able to continue to grow the organization into the future.