The Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) Program at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is recruiting participants ages 9-12 and junior mentors ages 15-17 or 13-14 with prior experience.

The DEFY Program, which is sponsored by Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, is a yearlong, drug demand reduction and comprehensive life skills program.

"The DEFY Program encompasses two different phases -- phase one is throughout the school year where we meet once a month and plan activities, provide mentorship and give training classes," said Chief Petty Officer Ramona Jones, DEFY program advisor. "Phase two is our summer camp, and we pick a location where the kids can interact and put together everything they learned throughout the school year."

The program aims to strengthen youth resiliency and family bonds by using science-based curriculum that provides the foundation for youth to learn goal-setting, leadership, teamwork, self-esteem enhancement, and many other life skills.

"[This program] is for the kids, and it is about being a positive role model for them in hopes that they make good choices in the future," said Jones.

Children of active-duty members, retirees, and Department of Defense civilians, ranging from ages 9-17 are eligible to join.

Currently 40 spots are open for youth participants and five spots are open for junior mentors. Applications will be processed on a first come, first serve basis with a deadline of Nov. 15.

Participants and their parents must recognize DEFY requires a yearlong commitment to allow the full benefit.

For more information and/or applications, please contact Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique Goodwyn or Chief Petty Officer Ramona Jones at defy4camppendleton@gmail.com. Also, feel free to check out the Facebook page, DEFY Camp Pendleton, for photos from last year's events.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, visit http://www.navy.mil/.