Camp Pendleton Experience
Our Story
Behind the Gates
The Honor Bowl offers teams a chance to visit Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Corps’ largest West Coast expeditionary training facility, encompasses more than 125,000 acres of Southern California terrain.
During the Southern California Honor Bowl, participating schools have the rare opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes visit inside the gates of Camp Pendleton. The Honor Group has a strong relationship with the Command of the 5th and works closely to provide a time to listen to commanders, wounded veterans, and gold star parents.
Camp Pendleton Experience has become a highlight for schools who come to The Honor Bowl. It isn’t every day that students have an upfront and intimate chance to listen to warriors talk about what they do daily to protect our freedoms. The Marines are The Few, The Proud, and The Honor Group salutes these brave men and women who find value in supporting us in many of our activities.
2013 was the first year to organize a Camp Pendleton Experience. Del Oro (CA) and Notre Dame (CA) chose to make this part of their Honor Bowl itinerary and they were not disappointed.
2014 had Del Oro (CA) back for the second time along with Bellevue (WA)
In 2015, four schools opted to visit Camp Pendleton. Colony (Ontario), Alemany (Mission Hills), Del Oro (Loomis), and Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) had the opportunity to hear from Gold Star Moms, Base Command, and wounded veterans and have a stronger understanding of what sacrifice means.
2016 had teams travel in from the East Coast and visit the Camp Pendelton Experience. St Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) and St Joseph Prep (Philadelphia, PA) had emotional moments when roaming the 5th Memorial Garden and then walking to the football field for hands-on experiences.
2017 had teams travel LONG distances as well to visit Camp Pendleton. Boron, a small High Desert town in California jumped at the chance to be in The Honor Bowl and to also visit behind the gates. Head Coach Robert Kostopolous honors the local men and women in the Boron area who have served in the Armed Forces and were visibly affected when asked about his experience at the famed 5th Memorial Garden. Punahou traveled in from Honolulu, HI to partake in The Honor Bowl and also quickly signed up for The Camp Pendleton Experience. After their talks in the Garden, the team gifted those present with a special song.
2018 one team participated in the Camp Pendleton Experience. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, WA) had athletes, coaches, and support staff become more aware of the daily sacrifices that the US Marine Corps deals with to prepare and protect our freedoms.
The week before two teams, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) and Del Oro (Loomis) have the opportunity to visit Moffett Field in Mountain View, CA, and listen to Command and Gold Stars with personal stories. Hands-on time was a highlight of this first-time Bay Area Honor Bowl – Hosted by Saint Francis High School.
2019 brought two more teams back for another time to Camp Pendleton. Head Coach Kevin Rooney of Notre Dame had his Knights participate in their third Honor Bowl with the addition of another educational event – something that sets The Honor Bowl apart from other ‘big game’ showcases! St Joseph Regional’s Head Coach Augie Hoffman jumped again to provide the special time on base with his Green Knights.
2021 Camp Pendleton Experience invited Valor Christian (CO) and American Fork (UT) to go behind the gate of the famed USMC West Coast Base. HC Aaron Behm of American Fork wanted to make sure that this trip was going to be worth it! We assured the coach that emphatically the answer was YES! The truly was the highlight for both teams!
2022 again had two teams be part of the Camp Pendleton Experience! Head Coach Vic Galli Pittsburg (CA)had this event on the top of his list when being invited to be part of The Honor Bowl and he was not let down! Red Mountain (AZ) also chose to go behind the gates. Coach Enders asked his graduating Seniors at the end of the season what was the highlight of their time at Red Mountain, it was an overwhelming pick for the trip to The Honor Bowl and especially Camp Pendleton!
2023 had Oak Ridge (CA) and Trinity Valley (TX) involved with the Camp Pendleton Experience. Head Coach Matt Morrison wanted this bad for his players to be able to hear from those who spoke on the famed 5th Parade Deck and the Memorial Garden – something that is rarely experienced! Head Coach Casey Taylor also wanted to go back to Pendleton having coached at Del Oro before moving to Oak Ridge. This was the third time he brought a team to be part of Camp Pendleton!
