Devil Pups program teaches self-confidence, respect and responsibility

By Cassie Tomlin

Wednesday, April 8, 2009 | 12:28 p.m.

Boulder City teenagers are invited to learn more about a leadership group that could send them to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton for a week this summer.

The Southern Nevada Devil Pups summer youth program culminates with about 15 Southern Nevada boys and girls spending a week at the base near San Diego. About 600 teens from Nevada, California and Arizona attend the camp every year.

Boulder City organizations and community members last year donated $3,500 to sponsor the Devil Pups, but few young people from Boulder City participated, Southern Nevada Liaison Representative Marie Tomao said.

An informational meeting for parents and teenagers is at 3 p.m. on April 26 at the Marine Corps League, 4360 West Spring Mountain Road.

Devil Pups is a nonprofit group that aims to help boys and girls learn self-confidence, respect and responsibility, Tomao said.

Starting May 1, the Devil Pups will meet every Saturday morning at Sunset Park in Henderson for physical training and community service. The trip to Camp Pendleton is from July 30 to Aug. 8. The program is not sponsored by the Marine Corps.

“This isn’t for kids who are doing bad. It’s for kids who want to be there,” Tomao said.

Anyone interested in joining the group, which usually starts the summer with 50 to 70 teens, is invited to attend the meeting. For more information, call Tomao at 285-4142.