b'THE CAMP PENDLETON YOUNG MARINESCHECK US OUT!The Camp Pendleton Young Marines is an internationally recognized youth group for kids the ages of eight to completion of high school.We promote a drug free lifestyle and help kids focus on academics, physical fitness, and character development through training, leadership activities, and community service.We are chartered by the Marine Corps League, and our program is based on the United States Marine Corps rank structure, customs, and courtesies.We meet every Saturday from 0900 to 1500 at the Wounded Warriors Battalion West on Camp Pendleton.The Camp Pendleton Young Marines has been operating on the base since 1983, and is staffed by a dedicated group of adults witha wide range of professional skills and life experience. Our adults mentor the Young Marines in their progression through the rank structure, but we dont hold their hands or do the work for them.This program belongs to the Young Marines themselves. They plan out the activities and, with the adults guidance, implement the schedule and assist each other as needed.Some of our activities include physical fitness tests, battalion-level campouts, trips to the USS Midway, and community service such as providing an honor guard at Veterans Day ceremonies, providing color guard at many local events, placing wreaths on veterans headstones, advocating for a drug-free lifestyle at local festivals, and marching in annual parades.We have field days with other Young Marine units, team-building activities, and we practice drillingcontinued on pg. 35 Photos courtesy Young MarinesThank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magazine 33'