FOOTHILLS

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.

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For more information on joining the Foothills Young Marines, click the button below to go to our membership interest form.  Once you complete the form, a member of our Adult Volunteer Staff will reach out to you with more information.

Upon joining a local Young Marine unit, youth undergo a multi-week orientation program, generally spread out over several weekly meetings. This orientation program is affectionately called "Recruit Training." The youth learn general subjects such as history, customs and courtesies, close order drill, physical fitness and military rank structure.  After graduating from Young Marine "Recruit Training", they have the opportunity to learn more new skills, earn rank, wear the Young Marine uniform and work toward ribbon awards.  Young Marines earn ribbons for achievements in areas such as leadership, community service, swimming, academic excellence, first aid and drug resistance.

During the summer months, Young Marines in the Foothills Unit have the opportunity to attend the Young Marines National Summer Programs of: Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools (SPACES). Schools consist of leadership courses. Adventures, have a historical emphasis and are designed with younger child in mind. In contrast, older Young Marines can participate in Challenges.  Challenges consist of training in areas such as survival skills, wilderness training and water-based activities.  Young Marine Encampments provide the opportunity for young Marines of all ages to gather together and train as a large unit of up to 700 youth at a time.  Over 3,000 Young Marines participate in the SPACES programs each year.

Being a Young Marine is not just an extra-curricular activity, it's a commitment to the unit, to the community and to yourself as a Young Marine.  The Foothills Young Marines meet every other Saturday for our regular Drill Days.  In addition to the Drill Days, the Unit is involved in many community activities like parades, Colorado Rockies Color Guards, community clean up events, US Veteran appreciation events and so much more.  Some of the events are mandatory to attend and some are opportunities for our Young Marines to be involved in something great!  Young Marines in the Foothills Unit are encouraged to be as involved in all unit events and activities as possible to take full advantage of the program and what it offers.