Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
By YM Sgt Carson George Orlando Devil Dogs FL Last year the requirements to attain the rank of YMStaff Sergeant were updated to include the prerequisite of ob- taining the Conserva- tion Ribbon Ribbon 3616. The award was originally an op- tional award contain- ing many different written assessments to earn it. These written as- sessments include items such as a 200-word essay on a national park finding ten leaves native to your state and writing about venomous and non-venomous snakes in your state. Not only does this award show that a Young Marine can be dedicated to a proj- ect the Young Marine will also gain a lot of knowledge from this award. For example along this journey I myself learned that venomous snakes can be identified by certain physical characteristics on their bodies. I also gained experience in writing a professional e-mail to the state geol- ogy department where I received samples of ten different rocks that are native to my home state of Florida. The effort re- quired to meet requirements for this ribbon may appear daunting to some and possibly even boring but having nearly completed it I can guarantee that it is a valuable learning experience and even a fun process to work through and complete. Photo above is from the Everglades National Park Website Earning the Conservation Ribbon and Learning Lessons in Ecology Adult Leaders Also Have an Opportunity to Discover Something New By Traci WatersAdult Volunteer Mountain View CO As a not so overly campy adult leader I was pretty hesitant to be going on a Spring Encampment considering Colorados un- predictable weather. But as it turned out I found that not only was it a great time but I also learned a whole lot myself Who says you cant teach an old dog new tricks The weath- er was less than desirable with a whole lot of rain and cold. But we are the Young Marines and so we must be tough The two days we spent at Round Up Ranch were packed in with activities. Having my own group to supervise for Map and Compass I had to learn how to use a compass. It was so much fun that I found myself practicing long after the class had ended. We had a fire building com- petition made litters to practice carrying in- juredYoung Marines ate MREs for dinner and of course made smores over the campfire. The term campfire being used loosely as it was pouring rain and we had to use the fire we built inside the lodge. The camaraderie of the Young Marines was great to see and it turned out to be great team-building for us as adult leaders too. The weekend ended the same way it began with rain.Yet every Young Marine had a great time. Many times I think about what a great program the Young Marines is for our youth. Not often enough do I take the time to realize what a great program it is for us adult leaders as well. And as it turns out its never too late to learn how to build a fire or use a compass. I couldnt have asked for a bet- ter weekend in the mountains with the Moun- tain View Young Marines. Fine dining on MREs... Adult leaders can even learn how to take selfies Page 18 ESPRIT