By YM/PFC Liam Rainey Atlantic Coast (FL) The Atlantic Coast (FL) Young Marines got to take a week-long summer trip to North Caro- lina.While we were there we got to go zip lining, white water rafting, and canoeing.We slept in a cabin for the first few nights then we slept under the stars on the last night. My favorite part was when we went zip lining and ran through the high ropes course. Even though I am scared of heights, I was brave and conquered my fear (and had fun!). That’s not all, we also went horse back riding through a nature trail which was really fun to do. My horse’s name was Blaze which was really funny, because it liked to blaze off when I rode him.To finish our week we went to Carowinds Theme Park,were we spent the day going on rides and having lots of fun with each other. ACYM Summer Trip: Conquering Fear, Having Fun On November 19, 2017, the Miramar (CA) Young Marines marched in the Mother Goose Parade held in El Cajon, California. It is one of the largest parades of its kind, west of the Mississippi River. --Submitted by Bret A. Righthouse, Unit Commander Miramar (CA) Young Marines At a Baseball Game or Marching in a Parade, We Proudly Show Our Colors On September 23, 2017, units of the 2nd Batallion, Southern California Regi- ment conducted a Color Guard at the San Diego Padres baseball game. More than 150 Young Marines and their family members attended the event. The Color Guard consisted of members of the Miramar and the Temecula Valley (CA) Young Marines. The Color Guard members were Division 6 YMOY YM/Sgt- Maj Anne Saucedo, 2nd Battalion (SCR) YMOY YM/MSgt Sophia M. Righthouse, YM/MSgt Cameron Kendall, YM/SSgt Preston Kendall, and YM/Cpl George Ar- thur. The cheers and applause of the crowd were overwhelming as the Young Marines took the field, and the Young Marines were outstanding! --Submitted by Bret A. Righthouse, Unit Commander, Miramar (CA) Young Marines By YM/Cpl Michael Manley Atlantic Coast (FL) Horseback riding is not as easy as it looks. Even though the horses can seem sweet (like people), they have a mind of their own. Sometimes no matter how good you are at telling them what to do, once in a while, the most gentle horse has a mind of its own. This can make horseback riding not just interesting, but funny. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. A horse can sense your energy.You need to be calm for the horse to be calm. I am happy to say that all of the Atlantic Coast Young Marines did a great job at controlling their horses. Before we were able to start to ride we took a class on safety and control- ling our horse. This was not just for our safety, but the safety of the horses, too. You could not ride without a helmet (if you got thrown from the horse your head would be protected). Next was getting on the saddle, which definitely looks easier than it is. You don’t realize how tall a horse is until you are throwing your leg over one. Once we were all on the horses we were able to go on the trails. This was so much fun (especially when my horse would start running). We went sightseeing on the horseback, and later saw some beautiful parts of na- ture like the sun rise, trees, and beautiful fields. I had not been horseback riding since I was little, and I had forgotten how much fun it was.I am glad that I was able to do it again with the Young Marines. ACYM: Young Marines Saddle Up and Learn All About Horseback Riding 32 YOUNG MARINES ESPRIT ONLINE