Y Talk: Camp Thompson is the Greatest Place on Earth by Hunter Goodhart

Every kid grows up wanting that one memory that they will remember for a lifetime—even if they do not know it. For me that memory was Camp Thompson.

Every summer I always looked forward to going to week 2 of Camp Thompson with my buddies. It was a place where I could just get away from reality and really be myself. It’s a special place because nobody is there to judge you and everyone can just be who they are.

The counselors also made it very special. They were all full of life and happiness. They were so nice to all the kids and made every single one feel special in his or her way. I always wanted to grow up and be one.

I finally got to that age where I was no longer a camper but an LIT (Leadership in Training). It was a super amazing experience where I learned leadership and made a ton of friends. Then I became a CIT (Counselor in Training). I was at the age where I was still very immature and was not ready to be a counselor. After that summer I thought my camp life was over. A year went by and I did not attend camp for the first time in 10 years.

As the time to apply for camp came around the next year I thought about how I always wanted to be a counselor and impact these kids and give them that lifelong memory. I applied as soon as I could and ended up getting the job!

I can honestly say working at Camp Thompson is the greatest job I’ve ever had or ever will have. Knowing you are changing a kid’s life in a positive way is the greatest feeling ever. I was never in it for the money or any of that. It is always about the kids. I cannot wait to send my kids to camp someday.

Camp Thompson is the greatest place on earth.

-by Hunter Goodhart, Camp Thompson Counselor