The Young Marines was founded in 1959 by former Marines in Waterbury, Connecticut:
Founding: The Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League established the Young Marines to provide leadership training and life skills for boys and Girls. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork an
d self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. In 1959 in Waterbury, Connecticut, several former Marines formed an organization for boys that would mirror the values of the Marine Corps. Their vision – to offer leadership training and other life skills – formed the bedrock of the organization known today as the Young Marines. Years later, the program is a highly respected youth organization, for boys and girls age eight through high school graduation, that has grown to over 238 units. Our focus, though, has remained the same: to strengthen the lives of America’s youth by teaching the importance of self-confidence, academic achievement, honoring our veterans, good citizenship, community service, and living a health, drug-free lifestyle. The core values - leadership, teamwork, and discipline - are well understood and practiced by all. During the summer months, Young Marines 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 the 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.