This was the first year that we were able to attend the Young Marines National Encampment.   The encampment was held in the hills near Boswell, PA, a very beautiful setting.   However, we would not have been able to attend the encampment if not for the OUTSTANDING support that we received from Gunnery Sergeant J. Howard, Mr. John Bearce, Enterprise Car Rental Inc., VFW - John H. Kraus Post #454, and the Central IL Leathernecks.   Before I continue this report, the Young Marines, parents, Staff, and I want to give our supports an BIG OOORAH!

All of the Young Marines bedded down in Commander and Mrs. Lewis' quarters Saturday (9 July) night, so we could get up at 0400 and get everyone fed, load up the last of the gear, and then get on the road to PA.  As you can see in the picture to the left, some of the Young Marines were not completely awake at this time of the day. 

The Young Marines did outstanding during the 12½ hour trip to Outdoor Odyssey.  As you can image, this was a very long trip without a lot of stops along the way.  However, this was without an doubt the trip of a live time for most of these young people. 

Because, for most of them, this was the first time  being outside of  Illinois, much less seeing the beautiful hills of PA.  In fact, as we approached the hills around the school, one of the my unit's Young Marine stated, "WOW!"  I could not have said it any better.       

The school is nestled in the hills at an elevation of 2750 feet above mean sea level, and you have never seen such deep green ferns, grass, and trees.   Because of the elevation, we did not have to be troubled with poison ivy or ticks.

Our Young Marines got to meet and to learn about other Young Marines from different units around the school [Jarrettsville, MD, Crossroads, VA, Cortland County, NY, and Westmoreland County, PA.]   The Outdoor Odyssey staff did an outstanding job at teaming the Young Marines up and laying out the training phases for the week.

After chow on the 1^st day, everyone received an overview of the different phases of training that the Young Marines would receive.   All of the adults met with the school's director and the Young Marines were assembled by their counselors.   The counselors placed the Young Marines into their training teams by age and their sleeping teams by gender.  [continue report] [see pictures] [ see video]  [