WHO WE ARE
WHO WE ARE NOT
MEMBERSHIP
OUR STAFF
TRAINING
PARENT/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT
COST
FUNDING
WHO WE ARE
The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle and teaches the value of truthfulness, fairness, respect, courage, attention to duty and love of God and Country. The Young Marines is the official youth program of the U.S. Marine Corps and the focal point for the Marine Corps’ Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.
The Greater Lake County Young Marines is a challenging, exciting and motivating program that requires commitment to excel.
WHO WE ARE NOT
The Young Marines program is not a summer camp, day care program or military school. If you are looking for a babysitter, don’t look here… Please do not expect the Young Marines Staff to raise your child. That is not their responsibility and purpose.
The Young Marines is not a “scared straight” or “boot camp” type of program for troubled youths. We cannot “fix” children with discipline problems. We are not social workers, so don’t expect us to work miracles in behavior improvement or behavior modification with your child. Our staff members are parents just like you, not professionals qualified to handle such issues. Our staff, however, will try to re-enforce standards of good behavior and academic achievement expected by any parent, as well as by society, for their child.
We are not a paramilitary group and are not a military recruiting station for any branch of the Armed Forces. Young Marines do not carry weapons and do not receive any form of combat training. While a Young Marine may decide to join the military when he or she turns 18, he or she is under no obligation to do so. Likewise, participation in the Young Marines program does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the Armed Forces.
MEMBERSHIP
The Young Marines program is open to all boys and girls ages eight through completion of high school. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good standing at school. Our Young Marines and staff reside in the Greater Lake County area including Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula, Summit and Cuyahoga counties.
OUR STAFF
Our unit is led by dedicated adult volunteers who are are individually screened by the National Headquarters based on background information and recommendations provided with each person’s registration. Several of our volunteers are prior service military personnel who believe passionately that the values they learned while serving in the Armed Forces had a positive affect on them. It is through the unit’s caring adults that Young Marines learn the inner values of Leadership, Teamwork and Dedication.
TRAINING
Our unit meets one consecutive Saturday and Sunday a month from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Young Marines and recruits are expected to arrive by 8:15 a.m. Parents/guardians, please arrive by 3:15 p.m. so you are present for any special announcements that are made at final formation. Please see our Drill Schedule for specific dates. Various training activities include first aid training, drill, map and compass, just to name a few. Young Marines have the opportunity earn ribbons for achievement in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance education.
Upon joining the Young Marines, recruits undergo a five month training program which takes place during our normal drill weekends. Recruits learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness, and military rank structure. After graduating from recruit training, the new Young Marines have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform, work toward ribbon awards and can participate in parades, fundraisers and other special events/trips.
PARENTAL/GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT
Our program is truly a family program and parental/guardian involvement is required. All parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in the Parent Support Group which helps plan, organize and carry out many of our Young Marine activities, fundraisers and operations.
COST
Recruit training is $300. There is a $150 non-refundable deposit that must be paid at time of registration. Balance of $150 is due by graduation.
Yearly dues are $100 per year for re-registration due by September 15th. After September 15th, it is $150.
FUNDING
While we do receive some financial support from local veterans organizations, we are a self-funded organization and rely on dues, fundraisers and generous donations from our supporters to support our Unit. If you are interesting in becoming a supporter of the Greater Lake County Young Marines, please visit our supporters page.