Interview with Derek Freeman, 2007 Lead Summer Camp Counselor
Derek Freeman is the Lead Counselor at Wahsega 4-H Center during the summer of 2007. Derek is 21 years old and a fourth year counselor. His career as a summer camp counselor with Georgia 4-H is somewhat unique because he has always been a counselor at Wahsega. He is working on his bachelors in Business at North Georgia College and State University and is a cadet in the ROTC. He will join the army as an officer upon graduation and wants to be a helicopter pilot.
Travis Williams: Why do you like working with kids?
Papa Bear Derek: The chance to make a difference in a camper’s life, whether it is just a memorable summer, or an experience that they have never had before is exhilarating to me.
TW: Can you describe one moment that stands out as your favorite in your counselor career?
PBD: During Wilderness Challenge Camp, we stayed overnight in a cave. There were campers there who had never even been in a cave before, so it was an experience....
TW: Have you mastered
PBD: Yes. I mastered my second summer in the scholarship program with the Hugh Moss Comer Scholarship.
TW: Did you go to 4-H camp?
PBD: I was a Jr. Camper at Tybee Island (now Burton) 4-H Center in 2000 as well as a Sr. Camper at Jekyll and Wahsega 4-H Centers in 2001 and 2002.
TW:You have a pilot’s license. Tell me about that?
PBD: I can’t tell you when I first knew I wanted to be involved with aviation; it just seemed like I always wanted to be a pilot. Flying has a very unique attraction to me because there is no other hobby where, quite literally, the sky is the limit. When I am flying, I can go anywhere, do anything, go as fast as I can, and there is nothing to hold me back. I am not limited by the extent of the road, or reach of the shore lines, I am able to go where I want to go. That freedom is what I am attracted to most.
The challenge is the second draw for me. Not to say that it takes a special person to be a pilot, I think most people could be if they wanted it. It is the sense of satisfaction one gets when nailing a perfect landing or executing a maneuver and making it look as simple as rolling over in bed -- that is like no other feeling in the world. Flying, whether I am able to fly in the military or not, will always be where my heart and passion lie.
TW: What is your favorite color?
PBD: Army Green...ha ha
TW: What is your favorite food?
PBD: MRE’s! But really it’s lasagna.
TW: Least favorite food?
PBD: Sushi or anything that is not cooked and could be classified as an animal
TW:Tell me about your siblings.
PBD: I have 6 of ’em and I am firmly “second in command.” I have one older brother, Justin, who has been a Muskogee Mico at Rock Eagle and Fortson 4-H Center Crew Chief in the camping program. Joelle has been in Clovers and Co. and is a pianist, Jayla and John have been fairly active members of Gwinnett Co. 4-H, and Jacob and Janae, the two youngest, are still at home eager to wake up every morning and do more home-school with my mother.
TW: What are you looking forward to most about being Papa Bear?
PBD: While I am looking forward to working with the campers, I think it is too limited for me to say just that. The biggest thing I am looking forward to is changing people’s lives, whether it is campers, counselors, adults, whoever else I have the opportunity to interact with and even my own life. It will be a great summer.
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