Summer Programs
SPACES (Summer Programs of Adventures, Challenges, Encampments, and Schools)
Summer is your chance to push your limits, try something new, and discover just how much you can achieve. With SPACES, every day is an adventure that builds leadership and confidence.
Summer is a time for adventure, growth, and leadership development in the Young Marines. Our National Summer Programs, known as SPACES (Schools, Encampments, Adventures, and Challenges) offer unique opportunities for personal growth, skill-building, and unforgettable experiences.
Schools
Schools focus on developing leadership and teamwork skills through structured training. Programs include:
- Junior Leadership School
- Senior Leadership School
- Advanced Leadership School
- National Leadership Academy
These courses prepare participants for greater responsibility within their units and communities.
Encampments
Encampments are large-scale gatherings where Young Marines live, train, and work together as one unit. Activities may include drill and ceremonies, field exercises, physical fitness, and community service projects, all designed to promote discipline, unity, and camaraderie.
Program Highlights
In the past, SPACES has offered a wide variety of unique programs, including:
- Great American History Adventure
- Space Camp
- National Flight Academy
- Drill and Ceremony School
- Orienteering
- Encampments
- Wilderness Adventures
- Outdoor Odyssey
- Camp Chester (offered to our youngest youth in the program)
Through SPACES, Young Marines discover their strengths, develop new abilities, and return home more prepared to lead. These programs are more than summer activities – they are life-changing experiences that prepare youth for the challenges and opportunities ahead.