Alumni Who Live By The Code: William Walters
At Falling Creek, the FCC Code shapes our daily actions, as we strive to consistently live with Warrior Spirit, Servant’s Heart, Positive Attitude, and Moral Compass. The Code is a set of enduring traditional values that provides the framework for everything at camp, but its importance goes far beyond the summer months. In this continuing blog series, we’ll highlight some of the amazing Falling Creek alumni who continue to “Live by the Code,” modeling these values in their daily lives.
Today’s spotlight is on William Walters!
William is a 5th Grade math and science teacher here in Henderson County. He has also served as secretary on Board of Directors for Camplify, a non-profit organization that “builds community leaders through a camp-based youth development journey.” William has worked at Falling Creek every summer since 2014, and continues to be a great instructor and mentor with our Fly Fishing program.
With over a decade of experience at Falling Creek, it might be hard to imagine a time when William wasn’t at camp. However, he began his Falling Creek journey as young staff member, applying to work the summer of 2014 during his time as a student at Applachian State University.
“My brother worked for FCC in 2013 when I was switching my major to education, while I was at App State,” said William. Sam Walters, William’s brother, taught swimming and water polo in 2013 and 2015, and returned to work Father/Son Weekends in 2019, 2021, and 2022. “He thought it would be a great summer job for me so I applied in 2014 and the rest is history.”
William has been a staple on our fly fishing team since then, sharing his teaching skills during Family Camps and Father/Son Weekends as well.
However, his teaching skills don’t just apply to fishing – he started teaching elementary school after graduating from Appalachian State. “I teach 5th grade math and science, and I began my teaching career in the fall of 2016,” said William.
Originally from Shelby, William has stayed close to his roots by settling down in Henderson County with his wife Erin. The two were married in 2022, and fellow Falling Creek alumni Parker Moon, Mike Nuckles, Zach Rivera, and Sam Walters were groomsmen.
This photo shows just how many friends from the Falling Creek community were in attendance to celebrate with them!
A few years ago, William joined Camplify to give back to the community through camp-based youth development programs. “A coworker told me they were looking for a teacher to be on the board so I joined the board about 3 years ago,” said William. Founded in 1994, “Camplify removes barriers that prevent youth from reaching their full potential while empowering them to build successful futures and grow into the leaders our community and world need.”
When boys and girls in Western North Carolina are in 4th grade, they can be nominated by their school counselor to join the 9 year Camplify program. Campers start with a weekend camp hosted by Camplify, to set the foundation for their leadership journey. 6th-9th graders are then invited to a five day camp in August, hosted by a partner camp.
Scholarships are gifted to participants to attend sessions ranging from 1-5 weeks in one of 24 local camp partners in western North Carolina. Outside of the summer months, middle and high school students can also participate in school-year leadership development with the Pathfinders and LEAD programs. Camplify serves over 150 students each year, and has impacted thousands of lives in the Henderson County area since 1994.
Though William has recently stepped down at Secretary on Camplify’s board, he spent years helping make decisions for the program and supporting fundraising efforts. There were many rewarding aspects of being part of Camplify. For William, the most rewarding part was “getting to see kids get the amazing opportunity to attend wonderful summer camps like Falling Creek!”
His time at Falling Creek impacted his decision to work with Camplify, wanting to give the camp experience to more local youth and young leaders. “One of my campers in my last year as a cabin counselor, Lex, was a Camplify kid and he is such a great young man. It has been so much fun to watch him grow these last few years,” said William.
William says that there are many skills he learned from camp that he still uses in his daily life. “After working there for 12 years I would say most of my life is influenced by camp. Not only the things I learned while working there but the relationships I built. Camp is responsible for the job I have now, and it played a role in helping me find the woman I am married to today,” said William.
He’s not done giving back to kids in the community either, with plans to share his fly fishing knowledge and teaching skills with his students. “I also make great use of the fly fishing skills I have obtained from camp. I am starting a fly fishing club at my school this year which is very exciting.”
We’re proud to have William as part of the Falling Creek community!
Do you know a member of the Falling Creek community who “Lives by the Code”? Nominate them so we can feature their stories and advice! Email with your suggestions.