The Lewis and Clark Young Marines unit was founded in 2002 and has since been a community staple for youth seeking a program outside of school.
Currently, the young marines unit meets in Ridgefield but considers itself a Vancouver-based program serving the region as members hail from as far as Goldendale and even Newberg, Oregon, Lewis and Clark Young Marines Adjutant Kristine Lewis said.
“I’ve had two children go through the program, both of them are adults now,” Lewis said. “One went the college route, one went the Marine Corps route. And after the Marine Corps, he’s a border patrol agent in Arizona. I see the difference that it made in both kids’ lives.”
The program serves boys and girls aged 8 to 18. Lewis said the program's primary draw is that it’s a youth development program.
“It’s focused on things like leadership, citizenship, community service, self-discipline and drug remand reduction,” Lewis said. “Those are the basic core tenets of what we try to give back to the youth. It’s based on a military structure, so think Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, but with the military structure and the military rank system.”
Lewis said another similarity to Boy and Girl Scouts is that they work out of four guidebooks, similar to a badge book. The Young Marines program activities include drill days, community service events and more.
The Lewis and Clark Young Marines recently had one member participate in Navajo Code Talker Day at Window Rock, Arizona. Now, Young Marine Tristan Begines will be teaching the rest of the Lewis and Clark Young Marines members about the importance of Navajo Code Talkers during World War II.
One of the upcoming drill days will include planting trees at the Salmon Creek watershed in November, but before that, they will be pulling invasive blackberry plants at the Sandy River delta in Oregon in October.
Lewis recommended the program as it makes a lasting impact and difference on children’s lives based on the first-hand experience of her two kids going through the Young Marines program.
“I believe that difference can be given to any child who joins the program,” she said. “It gives skills, teaches us things that you’re not going to learn just by going to school. It teaches a wide range of life skills. It teaches how to think for yourself, critical thinking, it teaches how to speak in public, all sorts of things like that.”
When a Young Marine participant is done with high school, Lewis said, they will be far ahead of the rest.
“When you get out of high school and you start either at college, military, or even just your first job, you’re going to be so far leaps and bounds above your average peer because of your time in the program,” she said. “It just provides so much life skill lessons that you don’t get anywhere else.”
For youth and families interested in joining the Young Marines in Ridgefield, they must first attend a recruit class. The next recruit class will begin in January 2026, Lewis said. For those interested, Lewis suggested emailing recruiter@lcym.org.
The Lewis and Clark Young Marines are also looking for adult volunteers to join the staff and participate. Those interested can email admin@lcym.org. The Lewis and Clark Young Marines can also be found online at lcym.org.
