--- description: Breaking news and analysis from time.com. Politics, world news, photos, video, tech reviews, health, science, and entertainment news. title: Building a Foundation for the Future at Summer Camp. image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltecf0b86a1d4158a3/6a340f70021848243a5f0c14/screenshot-2023-10-18-at-10-29-05-am.png?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 --- # Building a Foundation for the Future at Summer Camp. Mitch Walters never thought he’d open a summer camp. But the beloved auto dealer is all about building a better future by enriching the lives of children. “Youth development is our future. It’s a responsibility that my generation has to prepare the youth to take over and lead,” said Walters. So it goes without saying that his line of auto dealerships in Bristol, Tennessee, the “Friendship Family” of car dealerships, is called that for a good reason. Aptly named, his dealerships go far beyond serving customers looking to buy a car. Walters is the driving force behind Camp Friendship, a summer camp for kids in his region. Known for his warm and welcoming demeanor at the dealership, Walters brings the same spirit to the South Holston Lake oasis. His goal was not just to run a summer camp but to create a place that feels like home. He wanted kids to be able to spend time outdoors and immerse themselves in nature and adventure while forming lifelong friendships. “It's pretty much a magnificent, unobstructed view of the mountains and the lake,” he said. “I think a lot of children maybe haven't even seen the water, let alone been able to fish and swim and kayak and canoe and so forth. So, the smiles on their faces–it's priceless.” According to Walters, today’s youth are facing a unique set of difficulties–and he believes that it is on his generation to offer educational opportunities to tee up the next generation for success. That’s why he partners with his YMCA to run Camp Friendship and to provide a safe and positive outlet for kids. “I think children need to know that they have to grow up with responsibilities, goals, ambitions and the drive to help others. And they've got to get out and interact with each other,” said Walters. He hopes that Camp Friendship gives children the structure and space they need to learn important social, emotional and cognitive skills. The camp's programs are designed to be inclusive and diverse, catering to a wide range of interests and age groups. It's a place where children can try new things, take risks and ultimately gain confidence in their abilities. In addition to the camp, Walters also supports a number of other organizations that foster child development, such as the Career Center and the Boys and Girls Club. When asked about his drive to serve others, Walters emphasized that the feeling of doing good is actually a gift that comes back to him. “It feels good. And when things feel good, you continue to do them. And hopefully, others will get that same feeling. ‘Cause once you get that feeling, you can't stop.” And Walters certainly shows no signs of slowing down. As Camp Friendship continues to thrive, it serves as a shining example of how one person's vision and dedication can create a positive impact on the lives of many. Through his unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of local children, Walters has become more than a car dealer; he is a true community hero, proving that the road to kindness is paved with heart, passion and the willingness to make a difference. That’s why Walters was a past nominee for the most prestigious honor a car dealer can receive: The TIME Dealer of the Year award. Each year, TIME, the National Automobile Dealers Association and Ally Financial come together to honor the most impactful and philanthropic leaders across the automotive industry. They celebrate dealers like Walters who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to benefit others. Finalists are then awarded a generous donation from Ally to give to a charity of their choosing. Of course, though, Walters doesn’t do it for the recognition. To him, giving back and making the world a better place is something he actively wants to do. “You do it because it feels right. I've benefited from this in a big way inside.” [Click here](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=8f6cf958-8cb0-4938-9b32-ffbbec8d8293&ntv%5Fa=68QIAPnNjASQkQA&ntv%5Ffl=DKpPXqTtVVa1GCeS7%5Fgyg-DJrPs2f9cOCAEjx9iXYGENUpH-Q7s-tDJ0PIoi11bIBLA-J60oRkIdP8QDYyy3UZbMPJ3DrMbWT2fNe0HajvptRonm8I1ZZhkwJ-VlzQboQ2KwPyQdBtDdkR%5FxLaiGYEBV0TKhkCsVsavWzK8unbB1Lq2nsroDGaNAdCejOpb4Q4NloGmiezCKn4wC%5FOexX6nHgyZsbcDE-z8EK2l5HhMzCslfCP84EmzsYTjXRd0oJJYc1C9TI6MmcXGnmfQpCQz4WXW%5FbyMVmN01PiqdgT-abWIlqH5ebQunkDwgCA6Kg5yiobHCXKaWv%5FzO3CQ-eTr1gZFHPGJxfsk7P3J8P52-jad%5F%5Fjk6JylWdQhY5XL1QPLWwgL0ywwlOIsaWMTCwaCXeBVb6P3dRtOxr%5FPz0BbMHW6ZSvUN0%5FvU5ppUzYy0hUXkrLxrPsKSI8EWPPzEU0A%5FIJY3qlKWEztVn7vQRevypKsn4edWoeenujzyK3gYcr4jQluuJunSHwfl-awRoQ==&ord=448156051&ntv%5Fht=C2YHagA&prx%5Fr=http://share.ntv.io/sponsored/fueling-their-communities/?ntv%5Fa=5LEIA0LdiAW-IPA "undefined") to learn more about other car dealers who are making an impact in their community. [](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=8f6cf958-8cb0-4938-9b32-ffbbec8d8293&ntv%5Fa=68QIAPnNjASQkQA&ntv%5Ffl=H8%5FNIX%5FfVs0Ik5QLWe2EYP1H7mBcY4eSJbgZwuQaNooDUFlxxqi6zVotErOXXYKLNgXugKvLTxCLkZ5JrOdDTjrs3JbRrNwSNfkTJTBpRAFowLoiHdSwNhEz91RhzDd5V2o9QnqHK1VZrnuvMqlVsCuLbFPo3vA1gHu7qprdmOwwaG2etTnrfVPWKvYDngHEv2AJwzGqv6n6pAu6lCGBcUbW6xj1jTbEHVxxH5f1NbKIJxkBgbgXlUOb7y4w5Qql9pjVxbFotKUN4Yce6JYfSTPFjrKR%5FoJWo5GcodlqTjbX6NxCixpImISetF61KohqWWMVWt7XH5QSxwSAMwultSDKEG0eU9w9p-yb--P5Lx3RDirKA7S48V-phuDxq%5FZrovMbl6-ENaRTix2EmchPlureWHmPXidJjTdk8DI%5F6zWpaccCkNMS880edxmg6JA7z-l2%5FoDTSlZeJ%5FwZkR2B3ghkLQgBuTOB18aLFHTsB-Ysc2xRyIboz22k2VZoHm42FjB332ts9b0QUwNkZd1KPQ==&ord=815360976&ntv%5Fht=i3AJagA) Learn more about TIME Dealer of the Year, an annual award for exceptional performance and outstanding community service presented by Ally, NADA and TIME. [Find Out More](https://jadserve.postrelease.com/trk?ntv%5Fat=4&ntv%5Fui=8f6cf958-8cb0-4938-9b32-ffbbec8d8293&ntv%5Fa=68QIAPnNjASQkQA&ntv%5Ffl=H8%5FNIX%5FfVs0Ik5QLWe2EYP1H7mBcY4eSJbgZwuQaNooDUFlxxqi6zVotErOXXYKLNgXugKvLTxCLkZ5JrOdDTjrs3JbRrNwSNfkTJTBpRAFowLoiHdSwNhEz91RhzDd5V2o9QnqHK1VZrnuvMqlVsCuLbFPo3vA1gHu7qprdmOwwaG2etTnrfVPWKvYDngHEv2AJwzGqv6n6pAu6lCGBcUbW6xj1jTbEHVxxH5f1NbKIJxkBgbgXlUOb7y4w5Qql9pjVxbFotKUN4Yce6JYfSTPFjrKR%5FoJWo5GcodlqTjbX6NxCixpImISetF61KohqWWMVWt7XH5QSxwSAMwultSDKEG0eU9w9p-yb--P5Lx3RDirKA7S48V-phuDxq%5FZrovMbl6-ENaRTix2EmchPlureWHmPXidJjTdk8DI%5F6zWpaccCkNMS880edxmg6JA7z-l2%5FoDTSlZeJ%5FwZkR2B3ghkLQgBuTOB18aLFHTsB-Ysc2xRyIboz22k2VZoHm42FjB332ts9b0QUwNkZd1KPQ==&ord=815360976&ntv%5Fht=i3AJagA) ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/"},"headline":"Building a Foundation for the Future at Summer Camp.","datePublished":"2026-07-20T09:47:16.130Z","dateModified":"2026-07-20T09:47:13.082Z","description":"","url":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"","author":[],"articleSection":"","image":[],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/","name":"Building a Foundation for the Future at Summer Camp."}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"D1ECD216EFC24C2CAF27AA4706ED1D76","description":"","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/uxIVu6c8/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2026-05-20T10:31:13.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/uxIVu6c8.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/","duration":"PT1M57S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/branded-content/ally-financial/building-a-foundation-for-the-future-at-summer-camp/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```