Volunteer Spotlight, Pam and Eric Thompson
Pam and Eric Thompson
Hillsborough River State Park
Pam and Eric are full-time volunteers. After raising a family and completing careers in nursing and contracting, they decided to dedicate their life to helping provide for resource-based recreation for all visitors. Having spent decades exploring the swamps and forests of Central Florida, they take great ownership in Florida’s ecosystems. Now they enjoy all that Florida has to offer by volunteering in Florida State Parks, including viewing native animals, watching sunsets and exploring new trails while enjoying peace and tranquility only a Florida landscape and a campfire can provide.
Not only do Pam and Eric ensure cleanliness in the large campground, they also assist with special events. Normally, you can find them in the campground cleaning fire pits or cleaning bathrooms. They also spend a lot of time talking with the guests making them feel at home in the park.
They continue to come back to Hillsborough River State Park because of the supportive park family and the strong desire to preserve the park for their grandchildren. Hillsborough River’s proximity to Tampa allows for them to enjoy modern conveniences, but they leave it all behind upon entering the park. Their favorite time of year is October and November, when the temperature drops, insects are less intense and the fun events begin. Because this park holds so much beauty with the trees and the Hillsborough River, Pam and Eric come back year after year.