2015 Pups Delivered to Camp

I hope our job of preparing these pups for the shouting was adequate.  They looked like they were handling it well.


Click here for our 2015 camp photos 

Tomorrow Night!!!

We've been in touch with the people in the know from Camp Pendleton.  We've been keeping an eye on the I-15 issues from last week.  We still plan to leave at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday night/Thursday morning from the movie theater parking lot.  Hopefully since we are traveling at night, we may avoid some of the slow-down traffic.  For those of you traveling during the day for graduation, the word right now from Devil Pup, Inc.'s coordinator is "The I-15 is better. They are letting cars through. North is wide open, South is still a little funky.  Just give yourselves extra travel time!!"  It may be all better by the end of the month.

I think we may be the lucky increment.  It rained almost the entire time during first increment's graduation ceremonies.  No doubt it will be humid.

Moms, if I get any reports from Camp Pendleton during the camp time, I will get them out to you asap.  Cpl. Lewis is staying in the area for the duration of our camp time.  I'll twist his arm for photos if they are allowed.  They had a professional photographer one year, but he kept getting in the way of exercises so that wasn't repeated.  There will be a DVD released shortly after camp that may catch some of our pups on camera.  

If you have an absolute emergency during camp, contact us first (check your Parent Contact List) and we will take it from there.  Otherwise, the pups are too busy to talk to mom and dad.  :}  They will write you a letter or two, however. 

See you on South Main at the theater parking lot early, early Thursday a.m. - 2:15 or you're late!

If you are going on vacation during camp time and not checking your e-mail, please remember to meet us in front of the reviewing stand immediately after graduation ceremonies are over.

23 Jul 2015 - 0230 Departure

We will be waiting in the movie theater parking lot at 905 S. Main in St. George.  Please be there no later than 2:15 a.m. in your white T-shirt and jeans with belt.  Take the Parent Contact List with you in case your car breaks down, road work makes you late - whatever.  You need to let us know if you're not at the departure place on time.  

Remember your hoodie; remember your cash in an envelope with your name on it.  There are no required expenses for you at camp; this is most likely for souvenirs after graduation.

I-15 has opened after its closure last week, so we should be good to go!

2015 Camp Departure

Our van leaves the parking lot on South Main (the theater complex across from the back of the K-Mart shopping center) at 0230.  This is early, early Thursday morning (between Wednesday night and Thursday).  Please arrive no later than 2:15 - we'll take a few photos and head out by 2:30 a.m.  We need to leave at this time to allow a breakfast stop and then arrive at Camp Pendleton by 8 or 9 a.m. their time.  (They are an hour earlier than Utah.) 

Take some naps on Wednesday.  You can get a little sleep on the way down - but probably very little and you'll have a full day on Thursday once you arrive at Camp Pendleton.

Here is the packing list.  Check it and double check it.  I’ve seen kids who have gone over the list several times – but forgot toothpaste or sunscreen.

http://devilpups.com/becoming-a-devil-pup/packing-list/

Pack only the one bag.  Use a strip of masking tape and preferably a large felt tip pen to write your last/first names on the strip of tape.  Your bags get piled into one humungous pile at graduation, and many of them look the same, so you will need your name for identification of your bag.  (We will have a roll of tape and a pen at departure time if you forget, but it takes up time so please try to have this done before you arrive.)

Remember to wear a plain white T-shirt and jeans with belt to camp. This is a camp requirement.  No designs or words on the T-shirt.  The packing list requires a sealed envelope with $35 in it and your name on it – put it in your pocket.

Immediately after graduation on August 1st, all pups and parents are to gather in front of the reviewing stand. Two reasons:  We need photos of everyone, and we need to know that all pups have been picked up by their parents or guardians, or responsible adult and not left abandoned at Camp Pendleton.  “Check Out” with Cpl. Lewis or Donna Toole to let us know you are safely on your way home.  Every year (except last year) someone takes off without checking in with us.  Don’t make us try to locate you or your family after graduation to make sure you’re OK.

Again, be respectful of the rules at Camp Pendleton.  It is a military base.  They allow the Devil Pup program to operate there as one of their community-based programs, but the permission can be withdrawn at any time, especially if there are abuses of the privilege. 

2014 - Meeting in front of Review Stand after Graduation

Last Week of Physical Fitness Training

Devil Pups, we are getting close to camp time!!!  Next Thursday and Saturday (16th and 18th), 7:00 a.m. at Dixie State University are the final group training sessions.  You have obviously been working on your own and your scores are showing this work ethic.  Kudos to all of you!! 

We'll be sending out information this coming week - extra copies of camp directions, Parent Contact Charts, reminders of various things, so be on the look-out.  You should have your hotel reservations for graduation weekend by now and definitely should have your cameras charged up.  We will, of course, be taking tons of photos and posting them on the blog to share with friends and family.  We have also been promised photos of actual camp time, but they will not be available for some time after camp is over.

11 July 2015 - PFT at Dixie State University

PFT again on Saturday.  

Do you have your high tops broken in?  Do not spend a lot of money on these hikers (they will get battered at camp) but do have them broken in so you won't get blisters. Your shoes don't have to look exactly like these below - just get some ankle protection so you won't turn your ankles during exercises.

You will also need a plain white T-shirt for the trip to camp.  All pups are to arrive in a white T-shirt and jeans with belt.  (See photos below.)

Have you had an appointment for your doctor to provide a camp physical?  This form has to be in your Service Record Book for you to attend camp.  Please be sure to make time for your mentor to meet with your family to get all the necessary forms filled out and get them turned in asap.  We have to go through each one, form by form, before leaving for camp.

Some of you are still working on your $100.  When you bring cash or check to the PFT, please give it to Col. Toole in an envelope with your name clearly noted so you will get credit for it.  

 2011 pups signing in at Camp Pendleton.

 2010 pups getting ready for camp

Your scores have improved dramatically.  We know you will have a very successful camp experience (once you get past the shouting in your ears)!!

July 9 and July 11 PFTS

PFT again on July 9 and July 11.  Col. Toole is reporting that this year's pups are looking pretty buff!  Let's see how high those scores can get so we can put our very best scores in the Service Record Books for camp officials to review.

PFT both Thursday and Saturday will be at 7:00 a.m. at Dixie State University.

A question was brought up by one of the mentors and I'll answer it here for the benefit of all Devil Pup candidate families.  Yes, each Devil Pup will need a combination lock for camp.  Any kind of combination lock.

16 days to go!!!!  Are you working on your $100 and have you made a doctor's appointment for your camp physical?  Any questions??  E-mail dtoole at sunrivertoday dot com.

4 Jul 2015 - SunRiver Independence Day Breakfast

Marine Rick Massey was MC and Devil Pup and AFJROTC cadet, Jack Wright, was speaker at this morning's breakfast to celebrate the 4th of July.  Kudos, Jack; you were awesome!