The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department will again be able to send exemplary boys and girls who are 14 to 17 years of age to a 10-day citizenship/leadership program at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base this summer. We hope our young people will be prepared physically and academically for the testing and the camp. Good grades are a necessity.
This program normally runs at the same time summer school is in session. If your child needs to attend summer school to graduate, attending this camp will be a conflict.
As part of the Devil Pups good citizenship training, boys and girls will learn the importance of the virtues of honor, courage and commitment.
- Honor: to be respectful to your family, country and each other
- Courage: to set and pursue personal goals
- Commitment: a promise of resolve to recognize the value of completing your education
The U.S. Marine Corps was given the name “Devil Dogs” in World War I by enemy troops due to the Marines’ accomplishments on the battlefield and “never give up” spirit. The Devil Pups name is derived from the Marine Corps history. The camp has been in existence since 1954. The Sheriff’s Department has been able to send exemplary boys and girls to this citizenship/leadership program because of generous support from:
- Los Angeles County PPOA
- Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
- Sheriff’s Boxing Team
- POPA Federal Credit Union
- Sheriffs’ Relief Association
- First City Federal Credit Union
The orientation and physical qualifications testing will be conducted on Sunday, April 28, from 0800 to 1300 hours at Biscailuz Center. Orientation will take place in the gym and will answer many of the commonly asked questions. All interested applicants will take a physical agility test, including sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and a one-mile run. Participants should eat at least one hour prior to arriving. Gym clothes, running shoes and bottled water are required.
Boys and girls must be in good health and physically able to participate in the strenuous physical requirement of the camp. Asthma or other respiratory illnesses will preclude participation in this camp.
Participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the orientation. Sponsors should also attend if they are sponsoring a close friend. It is important that parents, guardians and sponsors be present on April 28 to see firsthand what is involved.
It is not necessary to schedule boys and girls prior to this testing date, but please plan to arrive early for the testing.
The program continues to be free to youth sponsored by Department members. LASD personnel are encouraged to sponsor relatives and close friends. Due to very limited allotments, we will not be able to select boys and girls who are not sponsored by a relative or close friend on the Department. All LASD personnel (professional staff, sworn, retired) may be sponsors.
If you have questions, the following individuals have firsthand experience with the actual strenuous physical requirement. Please feel free to contact any of them:
Tom Vetter, (949) 456-0908
Chuck Norris (retired), (818) 381-7649
Patty Norris, (818) 381-7698
Michelle Emeneger, (323) 307-8603
Andy Thompson, (213) 229-3140
Dean Gialamas, (562) 345-4301
Joe Walker, (626) 975-3724
Al Fraijo, (562) 522-5309
Dorothy Howard, (909) 518-0805
Eddie Rivero, (951) 215-9719
John Rueff, (562) 217-1280
Jodi Wiles, (714) 497-5079
John Wolak, (909) 263-3068
Terence Johnson, (951) 533-4494
Roberto Causey, (909) 595-2264
Kenneth Fitch, (909) 964-6156
Byron Woods, (562) 860-0044
John Cook, (323) 881-7800
Lisa Norris, (818) 398-1738
Delwin Lampkin, (323) 229-6064
Mike Schaap, (562) 686-8141
Paulette Cain, (323) 264-4151
Reggie Ducree, (323) 241-5311
Rich Marascola, (213) 974-4564
Bob Wiard, (626) 622-8671
Paul Hardy, (818) 522-2786