DEREK CHILDS

“A little less than halfway to home,” has special meaning to one Warren County resident, and every step brings him closer to family, friends and, most importantly, home.

For Derek Childs, that statement came in the form of a series of text messages I received from him along the Appalachian Trail, which is the longest hiking-only trail in the world, stretching nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine.

Childs, a 2024 graduate of Eisenhower High School, started a journey on March 27 in Springer Mountain, Georgia and headed north towards Katadahin State Park in Maine.

It hasn’t been easy.

“It has been harder than I thought it would be,” Childs said. “The mental side has been rough, being away from my family and my friends has probably been the roughest part.”

His parents, Larry and Christina Childs of Russell, have been a huge help to their son along the trail.

“My parents have just been a huge help in me doing this by keeping me supplied with what I need along the way,” Childs said. “I’m near a town every few days, so between my parents and the towns I have had what I’ve needed.”

For Childs, the mental side of the first 1,300 miles has been difficult, but being able to connect with family and friends has made it easier.

“In the beginning, I was only able to see them about once a month, but as I’ve gotten closer to home I see them more often and that is a huge help,” he added.

For Childs, he has remained healthy and that has been huge in keeping him ahead of his scheduled finish.

“Time isn’t really a thing out on the trail,” he said. “It’s more of a ‘play it by ear’ and I hike until I feel like stopping.”

Childs is near the Delaware water gap in New Jersey and is roughly 900 miles from finishing.

“My best guess is around the middle of August,” he added.

He will have little time to rest as he will be returning to Georgia where he will attend the lineman training center in Trenton, Georgia.