www.pylescamp.com

Testimonials:

"I learned to be more responsible and thing I could do with my life.  My counselor helped my with my problems, gave me advice that makes me feel good and confident.  They believe in me when others didn't care" 

—Delfino, Bakersfield

"Before I went to camp I was really negative, but this camp taught me to be positive" 

—Benjamin, Thousand Oaks

"I learned how to respect my surroundings, how to clean up after myself, that doing bad things is meaningless, and cleaned up my attitude - all this I learned from spending two weeks at Pyles Camp" 

—Daniel, Oxnard

"He sees a future now and before hed didn't see any future" 

—Chris' family, Port Hueneme

 

 

 

About R.M. Pyles Boys Camp - Programs

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Our current schedule can be found at the link above or on our Events Highlights page

Overview

R. M. Pyles Boys Camp is a youth leadership and character development program for selected boys 12 to 14 years of age. Its purpose is to instill new attitudes and behaviors as well as to teach positive alternatives to youth who are at a tremendous disadvantage to compete in today's competitive world. Over 22,000 boys have participated in our program since 1949. The average annual youth participation is 500.

Pyles Camp seeks to help these youth through a unique wilderness camp experience, winter follow-up, second year summer camp, leadership development and college scholarship programs. The focus is building self-confidence, goal setting, decision making ability and learning that success comes only through significant personal effort. The boys are exposed to a positive peer group environment as well as successful former campers who are now providing leadership in their community.

Each year over 450 boys from six southern California counties are selected to attend one of our six sessions. Potential campers are selected by a variety of agencies and volunteers who donate their time and services to assist us in picking candidates. Pyles camp is not for juvenile delinquents. It is a structured program to promote pride, self-confidence and fun. Boys are selected who not only deserve this experience, but who will also appreciate and benefit from their time at R.M Pyles Boys Camp.

Pyles Camp is volunteer driven. There are five year-round staff. Each year more than 400 volunteers contribute materials, time and services to ensure the program continues. They also help raise the funds necessary to send boys from their local community. We are proud that Pyles Camp is a "grass roots" organization built on the concept of people helping people. In 1992 the camp was honored by a personal visit by President George Hebert Walker Bush who designated Pyles Boys Camp as one of his Points of Light.

Founded in 1949 by Robert M. Pyles, an independent oil man, Pyles Camp is supported by fund raising special events, individuals, private industry and foundations in each local community we serve. Pyles Camp received no federal or state funds, nor is there any cost to the boy's family.

 

Fundamentals
 

A Safe, Secure, Fun Camp:

We are accredited by the American Camp Association and adhere to their highest standards. Most of our well trained staff are former campers who are now in college and understand the impact that camp can have.

Young enough to influence:

Pyles Camp's first-year program is for boys 12 to 14 years old, when they are old enough to understand the concepts and factors affecting their lives, yet young enough to change.

Personal responsibility:

Accepting responsibility and the consequences of one's actions are principles constantly taught at Pyles Camp. Boys learn that they alone are responsible for their success, not their parents, their school or the government.

Character development:

The entire program is geared toward increasing self-confidence and instilling the values of hard work, goal setting and problem solving.

Role models:

Nearly every staff member is a former camper and a graduate of Pyles Boys Camp Leadership Program. These walking role models are a constant reminder that it is within each boy's ability to rise above their often frightful circumstances.

Crucial follow-up:

After the initial summer experience, reunions, field trips, home visits, camp outs, letter and a yearbook help reinforce positive behavioral changes achieved at camp. When they return home, Pyles Boys Camp staff and counselors remain available for them to listen, advise and lend a supportive hand.

Multiple-year opportunities:

Pyles Boys Camp only begins with the summer camping experience and winter follow-up. Those campers who exhibit leadership potential are invited to join our second-year Lioneer Program. Pyles also offers leadership development and college scholarship programs.

Participant Goals Set the Standard
 

Each level at Pyles is like a rung on a ladder.  A ladder of growth and learning.  Our hope is that one never stops learning at Pyles Camp no matter how far up the ladder one has climbed.  Listed below are the participant goals for each level in our program.

Campers:

  • Increase self-confidence
  • Develop positive work habits
  • Increase socialization skills
  • Increase ability to set and achieve goals
  • Become success and future oriented
  • Introduce to positive conflict resolution
  • Introduction to leadership skills

Lioneers:  (in addition to those listed above)

  • Increase awareness of being a role model
  • Increase leadership ability
  • Increase personal initiative
  • Develop decision making skills
  • Increase positive conflict resolution skills

Workers:  (in addition to those listed above)

  • Focus on being role models
  • Develop positive work skills
  • Take ownership of actions and acceptance of consequences
  • Develop teamwork in a working environment
  • Increase development of conflict resolution and mediation skills
  • Internalize concept of fairness

Group Counselors:  (in addition to those listed above)

  • Develop effective interpersonal and group facilitation skills
  • Develop leadership ability
  • Become proficient in decision-making ability
  • Improve conflict resolution and mediation skills
  • Safety awareness & Back country Emergency Care certification
  • Develop concern for the individual
  • Understand liability issues concerning working with minors
  • Develop a "hands-on" mentality
  • Take personal pride in their role at camp

Seasonal Assistant Directors &
Senior Counselors:  (in addition to those listed above)

  • Develop supervision skills
  • Develop organization skills
  • Develop public speaking skills
  • Develop crisis management skills
  • Develop training and facilitation skills
  • Full awareness of the "big picture"
  • Full awareness of liability issues
  • Advanced First Aid/EMT ability
  • Excellent conflict resolution and mediation skills
  • Develop working knowledge of operation and maintenance of physical plant

We hope this gives you a greater insight into the work we are doing.

 

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