The Young Marines, a youth education and service program for boys and girls is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' Youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts.  The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Character building is one of the most important objectives of the Young Marine program and all of its activities emphasize the importance of honesty, courage, respect, loyalty, dependability, and a sense of devotion to God, country, community, and family. 

History

 The Young Marines was founded in 1958 by members of the Marine Corps League in Waterbury, Connecticut. The official charter was issued on 17 October 1965 and thereafter the program spread throughout the country. In 1975 membership was extended to females to participate so all youth could benefit.

 In July 1993 the United States Marine Corps designated the Young Marine Program as "the Focal organization for fulfilling its participation in the Department of Defense's Drug Demand Reduction Activities" Marine Corps Order 5000.20 officially recognized the Young Marines and published policy to support the program.

 The Young Marines of the Palm Beaches is one of over 300 units belonging to the national Young Marine Program. Started in 1998, the Young Marine program is one that endeavors to instill positive values in today's boys and girls, aged 8 to 18. Throughout our Nation, there are more than 14,000 young Americans being guided by an organization based on Marines giving back to their communities.

Membership

The Young Marines is open to all youth ages 8 through completion of high school. The only membership requirement is that the youth must be in good standing at school. Since the Young Marines’ humble beginnings, in 1958, with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 240 units with 10,000 youth and 3,000 adult volunteers in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and, Germany, Japan and affiliates in a host of other countries.

Our youth receive opportunities to build their pride and leadership skills through such challenging events like rappelling, physical fitness, camping, close order drill, swimming, land navigation and many other activities. They get opportunities to earn promotions and ribbons through their achievements and as they grow in skill. There are also travel opportunities as the Young Marines participate in National Schools or encampments with other units.

In July 1993, the United States Marine Corps officially designated the Young Marines program as "the focal organization for fulfilling its participation in the Department of Defense's drug demand reduction activities."

The Mission of the Young Marines is to positively impact America's future by providing quality youth development programs for boys and girls that nurtures and develops its members into responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Our Volunteers

The Young Marines of the Palm Beaches, like other community-based programs, is not a funded organization and relies on the hard work of the Young Marines through fundraising efforts and the benevolence of the business community and service organizations.

The adult staff are all volunteer and composed of people with varying military and civilian backgrounds and professions who are individually screened by the National Headquarters.  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 effect on them.  It is through the unit’s caring adults that Young Marines learn the inner values of Leadership, Teamwork and Dedication.

Funding

While we do receive some financial support from the Marine Corps League and other veterans organizations, we are a self-funded organization and rely on dues, fundraisers and generous donations from our sponsors to support our Unit. If you are interesting in becoming a sponsor of the Young Marines of the Palm Beaches, please visit our Donations page.