This week's guest article by Emily Hamilton talks about one of USC's oldest philanthropic organizations: Troy Camp. If you're interested in getting involved, applications are available until September 10, 2015 at 11:59 PM onthe Troy Camp website. Email finished applications to counselors@troycamp.org with the subject line, “New Counselor Application.”

1. You get to interact with your community in a way that makes a difference.

There’s no better feeling than having a kid tell you that you are their new “bestie.”

2.You get to go on field trips again.

This past year, I got to explore LA’s many beautiful bathrooms at Disneyland, the Natural History museum, and the Coliseum, just to name a few.

3. You get to make life-long friends, with both your fellow counselors and the best kids in the world.

Life’s pretty great with friends like these.

4. You get a fun name.

Or, like me, you get two names and confuse the kids by using both.

5. You get to live your childhood dream of being in a food fight.

Double Dare: A Troy Camp tradition, in which counselors must compete in a food-related challenge for the children’s amusement.

6. You get to go camping!

In real woods! With real trees!

7. You learn to put others before yourself.

Sometimes you just have to accept that you are going to be force fed mayonnaise and tabasco covered chips at Feed Your Counselor Lunch.

8. You get to be inspired while also inspiring others.

The fifth grade boys’ cabins inspired me to perfect my Whip and Nae Nae.

9. You learn leadership and communication.

I have now learned the powers of convincing children that they don’t really ALL have to pee.

10. You get to share your passions with kids.

During SP Dance this year, I got to teach 20 third graders the Double Dream Hands dance, and they killed it.

11. You get to mentor high schoolers and middle schoolers.

And they’re way cooler than we all ever were at that age.

12. You get to be on a color team, like a Hogwarts house.

You know you want to know where you’ll be sorted.

13. You can join a family that has been a Trojan Family tradition at USC since 1948.

That’s older than Meryl Streep, color television, and roll-on deodorant! Impressive.

14. You can get some cool TC gear.

We got fanny packs this year. You know you want a Troy Camp fanny pack.

15. You get unique opportunities to mentor children in South Los Angeles.

But, to be honest, they’ve probably taught me a lot more than I have been able to teach them.

16. You get to have more fun than you ever thought possible.