Kern County Devil Pups seeks interested teens for annual youth leadership program

The Devil Pups Youth Program For America, which emphasizes “Growth Through Challenge,” is seeking interested candidates for the 2022 summer camp program to be held July 21-30 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

Founded in 1954, this program strives to develop in its participants qualities of good citizenship, confidence, personal discipline, teamwork and respect for others, their family and their country. Applications must be postmarked by June 11.

Interested boys and girls, age 14-17, are required to pass a physical fitness test and interview with our local Devil Pups Liaison Representatives. The tryouts, including a physical fitness test will be held in Bakersfield on Saturday, June 18. Once applications are received and reviewed, the exact location of the test location will be provided to applicants. Ours is a leadership development program for young men and women.

United States Marines were given the name “Devil Dogs” in World War I by enemy troops they were fighting due to their accomplishments on the battlefield and “never give up” spirit. The Devil Pups name is derived from this rich Marine Corps history. Statistically, approximately 23% of Devil Pups graduates choose to enter the military, another 18% enter law enforcement or other first responder careers, but most all of them count their experience with Devil Pups as a major factor in their life decisions that led to their success as adults. Several of our recent graduates have been accepted at renowned colleges, universities and military academies including West Point and Annapolis.

We are looking for healthy teenagers from all walks of life, including but not limited to top students, top athletes and Junior ROTC participants. The ability to pass the physical fitness test, a desire to attend the camp and the mental determination to complete the camp are required attributes. We typically receive more applicants than we can send to camp so competition is fierce. Our recent Devil Pups graduates included young men and women from several Kern County High Schools including Arvin, BCHS, BHS, Centennial, East, Foothill, Frontier, Garces, Golden Valley, Highland, Independence, Kern Valley, Liberty, North, Ridgeview, South, Stockdale, Tehachapi, Wasco and West.

I hope you will urge those students that you think would benefit from this program to visit our website at http://www.devilpups.com, use the dropdown menu to “Becoming a Devil Pup,” then “How to Apply,” then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Fillable/Printable Application.” Do not print or fill out pages L5 or R6. Those will be completed later if you are selected.

This is a very comprehensive application. Fill out the application online, then print, sign and submit the application packet. Add wet signatures as needed by the parent/guardian and Devil Pup Candidate. Mail entire packet to: Devil Pups Kern County, P.O. Box 81422, Bakersfield, CA 93380-1422. Or they can drop off their completed application packet at the Kern County veterans Service Dept, 1120 Golden State Ave., Bakersfield during regular business hours, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.

Staff is unable to answer questions regarding Devil Pups, they are taking our applications as a courtesy. If you have any questions about how to complete this application, please contact your Liaison Representative for Kern County, Mr. Taylor at [email protected] or (661) 332-8394. Remember, applications must be postmarked by June 11.