We love when camp friends visit Walton’s during the summer. Last week former staff member Matt Walvatne visited and was kind enough to play a Closing Song for us. Matt was a counsleor at Walton’s from 2002-2004. He is married and has two children ages nine and six who are hoping to attend Walton’s one day. They already know our closing pledge and taps because dad sings it to them at bedtime.

Matt is from Minnesota and was doing an internet search for summer camp job opportunities in California when he learned about Walton’s and decided to apply for a counseling position. After viewing his video interview (yes, he submitted a VHS tape) and going through our interview process we were excited to offer Matt a job with us for the summer of 2002. Matt accepted the job and off to California he went for the summer.

After spending his first summer at camp Matt was hooked and made the trip back to California for two more summers. Along the way he met many friends who he still stays in contact with today. When Matt travels for work to California it is not unusual for him to meet up with former Walton’s staff members Allie Weil, Mike and Christy Callaghan, Brendan Bolles or Andy Cheskaty.

It was so nice to see an old camp friend return to Walton’s after all of these years and share memories and song with us.