In 1953, retired Marine Corps Colonel Duncan Shaw, Sr., learned that a group of teenagers burned an American flag at a Southern California high school.  Aggravated by this activity and the attitudes among American youth it represented, Colonel Shaw and a group of retired Marine Corps Reserve Officers, now prominent Southern California businessmen, asked the Commandant of the Marine Corps to help with a community benefit project that would aid the development of character qualities in teenage boys and girls, and enable them to become healthier and more successful young citizens.

Devil Pups is an non-profit organization designed to help boys and girls from all backgrounds gain self-confidence and learn to take responsibility for their actions. Devil Pups is not a Marine Corps sponsored program. The program is not a “mini boot camp” para-military or recruiting organization for the Marine Corps.  Encampment Commanders are employees of Devil Pups, Inc.

Any healthy boy or girl between the ages of 14 and 17 is eligible to apply to the Devil Pups citizenship program that resides in the states of California, Arizona and Nevada.  The requirements are as follows:

Devil Pups is a regional program only.  It is held annually with the cooperation and support of the United States Marine Corps.  Due to their limited facilities and active military training schedule at Camp Pendleton Marine Base, the Marine Corps will only allow Devil Pups, Inc. permission to bring 600 Devil Pups aboard their base to conduct the Good Citizenship – Physical Development program during the months of July and August each year.

Therefore, only qualified youngsters residing in California, Arizona,  and Nevada can be admitted to the Devil Pup program.

Devil Pups, Inc. Liaison Representatives are located in key metropolitan areas within the above mentioned states for the purpose of locating and screening,  physically and medically qualified 14 – 17 year old boys and girls interested in applying for the summer encampment program.

An interested boy or girl and/or their parents living in California, Arizona, or Nevada should contact their nearst Devil Pup Liaison Representative to determine eligibility.  Each area is given a specific quota of participants to admit.  Click here for the list of Liaison Representatives