For a chosen few, summer in Auburn is a time dedicated to Camp War Eagle and the noble task of introducing incoming freshmen to the all the ins and outs of university life.
This is not an easy task: counselors spend countless hours giving walking tours, explaining traditions, teaching cheers and imparting that sacred knowledge only known by upperclassmen to incoming freshmen.
The Plainsman spoke with some CWE counselors to see what it’s like to be an active leader in the Auburn family.
We talked to Paul Cook, 20, senior in electrical engineering from Huntsville, Kaitlyn Bonds, 21, senior in pharmacy from Albertville and D’Andrea Garner, 19, junior in musical theatre from Jonesboro, Ga.
Cook is a head camp counselor; Bonds is a head parent counselor; and this is Garner’s first summer as a camp counselor.
How long have you been a camp counselor?
Cook: “This is my second summer. We’re only allowed to be counselors for one summer, but I got called back to be a head counselor.”
What made you want to be a CWE counselor?
Cook: “I wanted to get more involved. I had an OK time at CWE, so I wanted to help my freshmen have a better experience.”
What’s your most memorable CWE experience?
Cook: “A couple of freshmen that I know I had a really big impact on. I heard through a third party that they really benefited from the Camp War Eagle experience, and that made me feel like I did some good as a counselor.”
Do you think CWE adequately prepares freshmen for their first year?
Cook: “I do. I think we definitely present all the information needed for the first year. So long as they don’t zone out the whole time at camp, you’ll learn what you need to know.”
Is there any secret you think incoming freshmen should know that’s not part of the CWE program?
Cook: “Be there at camp. CWE is what you make it. If you go into it with an open mind and are ready to have a good time, then you will enjoy your time at CWE.”
What made you want to be a CWE counselor?
Garner: “I wanted to be a camp counselor after watching my very own counselor lead my session two years ago during my CWE experience.
Leigh was a great leader and watching her guide us and get us pumped for our freshman year really got me interested in doing the same thing. To be able to spread the love of Auburn was always what I wanted to do since I set foot on campus. It’s like a dream.”
Since walking tours are a big part of CWE, how much do you think you have walked during your time as counselor?
Garner: “I’ve walked a great deal – during training as well as on our own or with our tour partners for the summer. I make it a goal every time I’m on campus to walk different routes and paths just so I can get ready for the summer.”
Do you think CWE adequately prepares freshmen for their first year?
Garner: “I really do think it prepares the freshmen as far as getting a feel of campus living and all of the technical aspects. I feel as though everything else must be learned on an individual basis when they get there in the fall. CWE leads them through it, but we make it our goal to get them prepared.”
Is there any secret you think incoming freshmen should know that’s not part of the CWE program?
Garner: “We’re pretty much an open book. If they have questions, we have answers!”
How long have you been a camp counselor?
Bonds: “My first summer as a counselor was last summer (2012).”
What made you want to be a CWE counselor?
Bonds: “I had the most amazing Camp War Eagle experience, and I knew right away that this was something I wanted to get involved in at Auburn.”
What’s your most memorable CWE experience?
Bonds: “My most memorable experience is the pep rally that occurs at the end of the first day of every session. Seeing how much the parents and students get involved and excited during this time is so much fun.”
Since walking tours are a big part of CWE, how much do you think you have walked during your time as counselor?
Bonds: “Well, the great part about being a parent counselor is the fact that we are in the Student Center in the air conditioning most of the session. Our tours are also given on Tiger Transit buses so we don’t have to walk very much.”
Do you think CWE adequately prepares freshmen for their first year?
Bonds: “Absolutely. After this past year of being on the staff side of camp, I see even more so the amount of effort and dedication that is put into this job and making sure the incoming freshmen have the best experience possible.”
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