Southern Utah youth program attracts growing number of applicants

Each year teenagers from Southern Utah. California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, attend Devil Pups training. The training puts an emphasis on physical abilities and the skills to be a good citizen. Camp Pendleton, Calif., circa 2022 | Photo courtesy Devil Pups, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Nearly two decades ago, the Southern Utah chapter of the Devil Pups began to take shape, now it’s attracting record numbers of high school students to the program.

What started out locally with its first graduating class from Southern Utah of two Pups enrolled in the national-based good citizenship this physical development program has grown into a successful leadership camp that combines outdoor physical challenges, classroom lectures and team-building exercises.

From its modest beginning, the Southern Utah Devil Pups program now attracts and trains children, ages 14 – 17, from Utah, California, Arizona and New Mexico in overcoming athletic obstacles, build self-confidence and take responsibility.

The program focuses more on mental than physical training, reflecting the “whole person” concept. The program’s foundations are intellectual, spiritual, social and physical.

A few of the key values include integrity, courage, dependability, loyalty and unselfishness.

Since its formation in 1953, Devil Pups has mentored more than 54,000 children nationwide with nearly 140 Pups from Southern Utah graduating since the program began locally in 2005.

This year a record number of Pups from Southern Utah – 27 – completed the program.

This year, there were 130 initial Southern Utah applicants. When the cut came and those not committed to the program left there were 50, with nearly 30 going on to graduation.

“Sort of a record for us,” said Donna Toole, co-founder and coordinator for the Southern Utah Devil Pups.

“We are so popular, and it’s well known now at school that the kids who are Devil Pups graduates are the better leaders and more equip to finish the job,” Toole said. “What is important at camp is physical fitness but we also stress becoming leaders.”

Although graduation from the program is the objective, Pups dedicate months of physical training to achieve that goal.

To prepare for the encampment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where teens go through a rigorous test of push-ups, crunches, chin-ups and running in order to qualify for the program, teens are encouraged to prep beforehand.

During school, teens practice early on Saturdays. As soon as school is out for the summer, they train three days a week in the cool of the early morning.

The “cut” or selection of those who will go to camp happens around the end of June, and camp generally starts during the last half of July. Most camps consisted of 10 days, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of days has been reduced to two increments of seven days.

Before Pups can graduate, they must conquer the most challenging obstacle Camp Pendleton has – hiking “Ole’ Smokey.” The culmination of training is a sunset ceremony on the mountain’s summit. The teens are inducted and considered “official” Devil Pups and receive a coveted challenge coin by their instructors.

“The thing that hits you hard … is getting to Devil Pups’ camp and not knowing anyone, said Dixie High School senior, Jonathon Van Noy. “I thought being alone would be the biggest challenge, and that’s not what ended up happening.”

He said within two days of getting there he made friends with his entire platoon.

“It was surreal graduating and knowing I had a huge group of people who went through what I went through and came out the other end a family,” he added.

Since 1954 teenagers 14 – 17 attend Devil Pups training in Camp Pendleton, Calif. The training combines physical fitness requirements, classroom lectures and demonstrations of U.S. Marine Corps operations in order to graduate from the 10-day program, Camp Pendleton, Calif., 2022 | File photo courtesy Devil Pups, St. George News

During graduation, friends and family hear stories from parents that often couldn’t believe the positive change they saw in their children when they picked them up at the ceremony.

A Devil Pup spokesperson said one parent was overjoyed with the changes in their son.

“We sent our son to you as a child with a dream,” the spokesperson said the parent said. “You returned him to us as a young man with a purpose. What more could a mother wish for her son?”

Devil Pups’ goal is to have a powerful, positive impact on the quality of life of youth in the community by educating and training them in their citizenship and moral and ethical responsibilities as they grow into adulthood.

While Devil Pup training does not stress military service, many of the same standards are shared by both organizations. Nearly 30 known Devil Pups have gone on to enlist in the military.

“Training is overwhelming and then you are asked to do seemingly impossible tasks,” Van Noy said. “It’s about not giving up during the moments you doubt yourself. My philosophy is to pick up those around me who fall.”

Following high school, Van Noy said he plans to enlist in military service or pursue a college degree in chemical engineering and then submit an application at NASA or the United States Space program with an officer’s commission.

Van Noy is not alone in a desire for military service.

Pine View High School sophomore Sofearus “Sophie” Barrett is planning on attending U.S Military Academy West Point or college in an accredited ROTC program.

“This was my first year in Devil Pups,” Barrett said. “At first, I joined to get myself in shape for the military and see how the training would go. It was truly inspiring seeing other Pups overcome their fears and seeing everyone accomplish so much. It was a wonderful, wonderful thing.”

For more information visit Devil Pups website at Devil Pups Youth Program for America

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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