Devil Pups seeks interested Kern County teens for 2023 Summer Camp

The Devil Pups Youth Program For America, which emphasizes “Growth Through Challenge,” is seeking interested candidates for the 2023 summer camp program to be held July 13-22 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. Ours is a leadership development program for good young men and women. Applications must be postmarked by April 30.

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 physical fitness test will be held in Bakersfield on Saturday, May 6, at 6:30 a.m. at the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, 1350 Norris Rd., in Bakersfield. Applications must be submitted prior to the tryouts.

Devil Pups applications are available on our website at http://www.devilpups.com then 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”. This is a very comprehensive application. Fill out the application online, then print, sign and submit application packet. Mail entire packet to Devil Pups Kern County, PO 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, CA 93301 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.

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 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. 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.

Questions about how to complete this application please contact the Kern County Liaison Representative, Mr. Taylor at [email protected] or (661) 332-8394. Remember, applications must be postmarked by April 30.