Boot Camp for a Day

Youth at Rogue Valley recently signed up for a voluntary boot camp led by veterans on the facility staff.

Story by Zach Snyder, case coordinator at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility

Fifteen youth at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility got to participate in a unique experience over Spring Break. They voluntarily signed up to see what it would be like if they went to military-style boot camp.

The event was led by two Rogue Valley staff who are veterans who served in the Army and Air Force. Kim McKandes and Zach Snyder put together a variety of activities for the youth to get a good feel of what they would go through at boot camp.

The event kicked off with the youth getting the opportunity to eat an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat), which is what a soldier would get out in the field. Then they were taught on how to stand in formation at the position of attention and how to properly form up as a group. We then went into marching and learning cadence.

The youth then got the opportunity to test their physical ability by taking a physical fitness test. The test consisted of push-ups, sit-ups and a 1-mile run. The remainder of the event involved squad activities.

The youth learned the importance of working as a team and showed great camaraderie towards each other.

This is the third boot camp for a day hosted at Rogue Valley. Thus far it has been a big hit with youth and staff alike. With many youth requesting another chance to participate, the next event is already in the works. Some youth who participated are also showing interest in a military career.

  • group shot of young men standing in a field outside
  • a teen boy crawls on his stomach in a grassy field
  • young men stand in a line, some with smiles
  • MRE package, meals ready to eat
  • a young man does pushups outside in a grassy field
  • four teen boys carry another boy across a grassy field
  • a teen boy smiles and holds up his fists in triumph
  • two teen boys stand next to each other smiling
  • three teen boys crawl across a grassy field
  1. Nicole Davis May 4, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    I’m so glad the guys were given this opportunity to take part in such a positive and worthwhile event!

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