After being assigned to their teams, it was time to get everyone's gear to their cabins.   In the cabins, the Young Marines were able to talk with each other and the learn from each other.   The days started at 0630, with round one for chow at 0730. 

Some of the events that the Young Marines did were high ropes and low ropes course, rock climbing, repelling,  zip line, reaction course, caving, and they got to go on initiative walks.

 They receiving classes in camouflage, wilderness survival, map reading, land navigation teams, hand and arm signs, and compass usage.  

All of the training that the Young Marines received was directed toward  learning how to work as a team and to help them develop their leadership skills.   They received theories in  different leadership styles.   They learned that leadership is not the position that you hold, but it's in INSPIRING OTHERS to do the best that they can.  I believe that E. M. Kelly stated it correctly when he said, "Remember the difference between a boss and a leader; a boss says "GO!" - a leader says "Let's GO!" 

Some of the theories that they learned was, "Mr. & Mrs. Potatohead," "Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors," "D+A=R," "The Key for Success is GENUINE CONCERN," and "Leadership is Action, not POSITION!"    Under Leadership is Action, not  POSITION Theory, Young Marines were introduced to "While your role as a leader will develop as you grow, your ability to demonstrate leadership is always available..."   GENUINE CONCERN, "...is the foundation for earning the trust and respect that are required to inspire others to follow."   Under D+A=R, where "D" is Dreams. Everyone needs dreams, but to reach these dreams, you must have "A".    "A" stands for ACTION, because without action then you can never have "R," and it stands for REALITY.  Therefore, without action you can have all the dreams that you want, but those dreams will never become reality.  

The above list is a short one, but most of what they learned was that we need to be ACCOUNTABLE for our actions, or "I'M RESPONSIBLE" for what happens to me. 

They learned about the triad (equilateral triangle) of wellbeing - MEPS.  MEPS is a philosophy for how to live every day of your life.   "M" stands for mental and takes up one side of the triad, and mental homework is necessary for a solid mind.  "P" stands for physical and is equally important, because a strong physical body is also necessary for a healthy and happy life.  "S" stands for spiritual and is the foundation of the triangle.  People have many different spiritual orientation, finding yours will be important to you when times are tough.  Now, for "E,"  stands for emotional and is in the middle of the triangle.  A strong emotional center is the result of the strength of the three other components of MEPS: mental, physical, and spiritual.

In conclusion,  the Young Marines had an outstanding time, got to met other outstanding young people, and got to learn that we need to get out of our comfort zone to learn.       [see pictures] [see video]