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By Chuck N. Baker
(Las Vegas) — California’s Camp Pendleton is a staple of the United States Marine Corps. But it is also more than a solid military base for active duty troops and a training camp for new recruits. Once each year it becomes home for a ten day physical leadership encampment for teenagers enrolled in two hand-in-hand programs — the Southern Nevada Devil Pups and the Teen Leadership Breakthrough.

This year, teenagers from southern Nevada will take part in the joint program in July. A total of 300 teens from California, Utah, Arizona and southern Nevada will be involved, with a limit of 45 from Nevada. Marie Tomao, Director of the Nevada contingent, said, “Our teens truly need programs like this. It’s an amazing opportunity for teens to learn motivation, focus, respect and integrity.” Recently Tomao presided over a parent/applicant informational meeting that provided details of the programs. Fathers, mothers and their offspring were able to learn as a group about some of the details of the encampment. Tomao said the Camp Pendleton programs provide life-application skills and leadership teamwork. “Everything we do leads to the teens gaining more self-confidence,” she said. Prior to the 10-day encampment, applicants must take part in a 12-week preliminary training program at Sunset Park in Las Vegas that stresses personal responsibility and community service.

The age group for participants is limited to healthy 14-17 year olds who must pass a physical fitness test. There are strict medical limitations, since the program includes daily workouts and physical training. There is a long list of other details that automatically disqualify applicants. No one is accepted if they are gang members, have arrest convictions, display visible tattoos, use drugs or tobacco or have other negative behaviors.

Families pay only for uniforms but never for encampment fees. Individuals and companies are asked for donations but additional funds are always required to go toward counselor fees, food, transportation, insurance, office supplies and other expenses. Registration is closed for this year’s program, but Tomao said the program has been falling short financially this time around and donations are overwhelmingly needed. “Some kids won’t be able to go if we don’t receive more funds,” Tomao said. In the past she said local elected officials generously donated funds, “But today not one has come forward. We have had full cooperation from both sides of the aisle, but not this year.”

Organizations that have currently donated include the Black Mountain Marine Corps League Detachment 186, the Las Vegas Police Officers Protective Association, the Henderson Police Officers Association and the Boulder City Police Protective Association. Henderson Mayor Debra March is a long-time supporter. The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity.

Once off the bus and lined up during their arrival to begin the ten day quasi-military program, teens receive a military “shock treatment” with Marine Corps officers screaming orders in their faces and directing them to step way outside of their normal comfort zones. It’s not exactly basic training, but it’s close. Before it’s over the kids will have shouted “Yes Sir!” and “No Sir!” thousands of times.

The Devil Pups program is blended with the Youth Leadership Authority that has related goals. The principles of discipline, leadership and teamwork are a part of its mission. When it’s all over and graduation day arrives, the sense of accomplishment is obvious on the faces of the teens. They are visibly more confident than when they started. The program is called Devil Pups, but the teens have come a long way from being mere pups. They have taken another step down the path to becoming mature, responsible adults. For more information or to make a donation, Tomao can be reached at (702) 285-4142.