Military camps for high schoolers, any experience or recommendations?

Has anyone attended, or knows someone who has attended, a military camp specifically for high school students? I'm curious to know what your experience was like and what the benefits were. Any recommendations for good camps as well?

Attending a military camp as a high school student can certainly be an enriching experience! These camps often provide youth with a structured setting to develop leadership skills, physical stamina, and a sense of discipline.

One recommendation would be to check out programs offered by the various service academies. For instance, the United States Naval Academy offers a Summer Seminar for high school juniors, which provides an immersive experience of life at the academy. Students undergo a week of rigorous physical training, academic classes, and leadership exercises.

Similarly, the United States Air Force Academy offers a Summer Seminar that focuses on team-building exercises, academic workshops, and glimpses of cadet life. It's aimed to expose high school juniors to various career options within the Air Force and the academy's rigorous curriculum.

Another look into military life is through the Marine Corps' Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy. You can experience a week-long program of physical and ethical leadership development.

Do bear in mind that these situations often mimic the rigors of life at a service academy or in the military, so it's crucial that a student be physically and mentally prepared for a challenge. Furthermore, admission to these programs can be competitive, so having strong extracurriculars and academic performance can be beneficial.

For those considering a military career or admittance to a service academy, these camps can provide valuable firsthand experience and strengthen their applications. However, even if a military career isn't the end goal, these camps can instill useful life skills and a heightened sense of responsibility.