MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. --  The Mater Dei Monarch football and dance team volunteered to help run the Monarch for Marines youth camp for children of service members at Camp Pendleton’s 11 Area football field, July 21.

The Monarchs for Marines service organization of the Mater Dei High School football program, from Santa Ana, Calif., was developed to support the families of Camp Pendleton’s service members. The football and dance camp provided a non-contact skills workshop and a dance clinic for dependent children on base.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the local kids to give back to their military community,” said Clint Miller, the athletic director for Semper Fit.

Although the main purpose of the program is to support the service members stationed at Camp Pendleton, the hope is for the service and association with the Marines and sailors to be a source of growth and inspiration for our Mater Dei student-athletes.

“There’s going to be 27,000 Marines rooting for you this season,” said Sgt. Maj. Michael L. Kufchak, the 1st Marine Division sergeant major, to the athletes.

The varsity football team, dance team, coaching staff and parent volunteers provided an exciting and enjoyable day at Camp Pendleton. The day's activities concluded with a closing ceremony with performances by the dance camp participants and words of appreciation from Col. Mark M. Tull, the 1st Marine Division chief of staff. The honored Guadalcanal Patch was presented to each of the players and coaching staff. As a tribute, and demonstrative symbol of the team’s commitment of the season to the Marines and sailors of Camp Pendleton, the patches are being worn this season on the Monarch game jerseys.