Phil Berry
Executive Director
Phil Berry serves as the full-time Executive Director of Ridgecrest Summer Camps. He is married to the beautiful Amy Berry and they have two daughters, Piper and Lily, and their dogs, Bear and Indy. Phil served as the Camp Ridgecrest Director from 2008 to 2021, but he began camping at Ridgecrest in 1989 as an Apache in cabin 3, returning as a camper in every tribe and eventually serving on staff in many different leadership capacities. Phil is a graduate of Furman University with degrees in Sociology and Education, and a member of the American Camp Association, the Christian Camping and Conference Association, and serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina Youth Camps Association. Contact Phil at phil.berry@ridgecrestcamps.com
Sam Pineda
Camp Director
Sam Pineda serves as the full-time Director for Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. He is married to Christine, or "Teeny". Sam worked at Camp during college summer breaks, beginning in 2008, serving in a variety of roles. He began serving full-time in 2013. Teeny also worked at Camp from 2009-13. Sam and Teeny both hail from the great city of Chattanooga, TN and love the small-town life of Black Mountain. His daughters, Harper and Weezy, are 10 and 8, respectively. A member of the American Camp Association, Sam is a graduate of Liberty University and is an avid fan of the Braves and the UT Vols! Contact Sam at sam.pineda@ridgecrestcamps.com
Matt Stapp
Assistant Director
Matt Stapp serves as the full-time Assistant Director of Camp Ridgecrest. Matt is from Georgia where he met his wonderful wife, Anna, while they were both working for Young Life. Together they have 4 kids (Jude, Boone, Margot, and Hank) who are 7, 5, 4, and 2, respectively. Matt worked at Ridgecrest for six summers throughout and after college and served in a wide variety of roles during his time here. Matt graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Film but was soon called to ministry quickly after college as he worked on Young Life staff for five years then joined full-time at camp in 2018. Contact Matt at matt.stapp@ridgecrestcamps.com
Wilson Bullington
Assistant Director
Wilson Bullington serves as the full-time Assistant Director of Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Wilson is a third-generation Ridgecrester who began his camp journey in 2007 as an Apache in Cabin 1. He spent ten summers as a camper and eight more as a staffer in various roles. Wilson graduated from Georgetown University in 2022 with a degree in International Political Economy, and joined the full-time team in 2025. He is married to his Crestridge sweetheart, Emmy Johnson Bullington, who works for Young Life. Together, they enjoy getting to know middle schoolers and introducing them to Jesus through Wyldlife. Contact Wilson at wilson.bullington@ridgecrestcamps.com
Ron Springs
Director Emeritus
Ron Springs is the Director Emeritus for Ridgecrest Summer Camps. Ron is celebrating his 51st summer with the camps this year, 37 of those as Executive Director. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a Certified Camp Director with the American Camp Association and a member of Christian Camping and Conference Association. He has also been active on several regional and national committees and boards within the camping industry. Contact Ron at ron.springs@ridgecrestcamps.com
Karah Brown
Office Manager & Registrar
Karah is the full-time Office Manager for Ridgecrest Summer Camps and is from Memphis, TN. Karah followed in her dad and brothers' footsteps, and started working at camp in summer 2013 as the Photographer. She joined our full-time team as the Office Manager after that summer. Karah married her husband, Andrew, on the Middle Green at Camp in the fall of 2017 and they love living here in the mountains with their two small children, Annie and Jack! Contact Karah at karah.brown@ridgecrestcamps.com
Anne Houston Bell
Parent Connections and Store Manager
Anne Houston Bell joins our full-time team as the Parent Connections and Store Manager, bringing with her a deep love for camp and a meaningful history with both Crestridge and Ridgecrest. Originally from Florence, Alabama, she served on staff at Crestridge for three summers—starting as a Bear Paw counselor—and later worked as a receptionist at Ridgecrest while her now‑husband, Jack, was an intern. Anne Houston graduated from Auburn University with a degree in accounting and is thrilled to be back at the place that has been such a big part of both her and Jack’s stories, especially now as they settle into life together in the mountains. Contact Anne Houston at annehouston.bell@ridgecrestcamps.com
Charlie Mclain
Property Manager
Charlie is the Camp Ridgecrest Property Manager at Ridgecrest Summer Camps and has been on our team since 2025. Known for never being afraid of a challenge, Charlie works hard to keep our property safe and working smoothly. He has an eye for "Making It Better" and loves creating a special place for campers to enjoy God's creation each summer. Charlie loves working with local youth ministries as a former Royal Ranger Commander, and is an active member of his church.
