Meet the Team
Meet our small but mighty year-round staff.
Joel Wilke
Camp Director
joel@horizoncenter.org
Darci Utt
Assistant Director
darci@horizoncenter.org
Darin Mann
Maintenance
Irene Snow
Housekeeping/Cook
Lucy Daniel
Intern
Meet our small but mighty year-round staff.
Joel Wilke
Camp Director
joel@horizoncenter.org
Joel Wilke has been Camp Director at Camp Horizon since 2010. His connection to Horizon began as a camper, and later as an intern while completing his master’s degree at Southwestern College. Before returning to Kansas, he served two years as a youth pastor in Nashville, Tennessee. Joel and his wife, Lindsay, who works for the Kansas Health Foundation, have three children: Luke, Emma, and Maddie. Together they enjoy hiking the camp trails with their golden retriever, Maple, and traveling. Joel especially loves taking his family all over the country to visit other camps. Because of the life-changing impact Camp Horizon had on him growing up, Joel is passionate about helping today’s campers experience the same sense of faith, community, and adventure. Horizon will always be a special place for him and his family.
Darci Utt
Assistant Director
darci@horizoncenter.org
Darci joined the staff as Program Director in January 2018. In 2024, due to changes in duties she became the Assistant Director. Darci worked at Horizon from 2008-2010 as a counselor and office help, she returned in 2011 as the graduate intern, and has been coming ever sense as a youth pastor. Darci received her Bachelor’s in Philosophy and Religious Studies and Master’s in Specialized Ministry from Southwestern College while working at Camp Horizon. After her internship she moved to Hesston, Kansas and was the Youth Pastor there for five years, and then spent a year and a half at Woodlawn UMC in Derby, before returning home to Horizon.
Darci and her husband Adam met in 2008 while working at Horizon and became good friends, years later they reconnected, and started their dating relationship at Darci’s brother’s wedding at Horizon, a year later in 2014 they were married in the Sanctuary at Horizon, and equally call Camp home. Adah joined the family in 2015 and Max in 2021, they have kept them on their toes ever since.
Darin Mann
Maintenance
Darin joined our team after retiring from 26 years of teaching in 2024. He has always been a Mr. Fix It, and has been doing a great job fixing everything we manage to break. When he is not at camp you can find him equally as busy. He and his wife Darla are active members of Ark City UMC, and they cook and serve weekly for the SHARE Meal. They have 8 grandchildren, and spend all of their free time watching, and supporting them in their activities. Darin loves to hunt and fish in any time leftover!
Irene Snow
Housekeeping/Cook
Irene Snow has been on staff since 2012. She is always willing to jump in and help whereever is needed. She makes sure your facilities our clean and ready for every guest that comes to camp. You will also find her serving up delicious meals for a campers. When Irene isn't at camp she loves to fish, garden and spend time with her family.
Lucy Daniel
Intern
Lucy grew up coming to camp, and has been a camp counselor, and served the 2025 summer as our Spiritual Life Intern and Junior Counselor Coordinator. She graduates from Southwestern College in December 2025 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. While at Southwestern she serves in Worship Outreach, Chapel Team, Discipleship, and she has retired from her throwing career in Track and Field. Outside of school she is the Youth Intern at Ark City UMC and sings with Hope Worship Initiative. Lucy loves animals, singing, and camp!