Marine Corps Base Quantico -- “I gained leadership training, fired a rifle in a simulation and visited the White House, what did you do this summer?” The United States Marine Corps Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy begins next Monday. The program is a free week-long event for rising high school juniors and seniors. The academy will focus on instilling three pillars of development: character values, leadership traits and high ethical standards.
Approximately 150 high school students from all over the country will participate in the community outreach program. The academy will focus on both physical and academic activities.
The academy is a community outreach/social connection program that is part of the greater Connection with America Campaign. The design of the program is based on the successful US Naval Academy Summer Seminar Program which also emphasizes developing service-oriented experiences for students.
The program begins with leadership classes, guest speaker lectures and various tours around base. Later in the week, students will be participating in physical fitness exercises, team-building field courses and weapon simulation training.
Throughout the week, students will also be visiting various locations such as the White House, Department of Education, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and many more locations around the national capital region. Students will also receive college admissions guidance classes. At the conclusion of the program, students will attend graduation and awards ceremony.
The program is not strictly geared towards students who are interested in future military service, but to primarily focus on partaking in a valuable experience while instilling leadership concepts and have students return to their communities and continue their lives while possessing a greater sense of purpose and the ability to better handle situations and endeavors in a capable manner.