The Youth ChalleNGe Program is a program for at-risk youth run by the National Guard of the United States (which is why the NG in ChalleNGe is either: Capitalized, Italicized, Bolded or all of the above), which consists of Youth Challenge Academies (known as YCA's) in each participating state. The stated mission of the Youth Challenge Program is "to intervene in and reclaim the lives of at-risk youth to produce program graduates with the values, skills, education and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults." The program accepts 16- to 18-year-old male and female high school dropouts who are drug-free and not in trouble with the law. The program lasts for 17½ months. The first 5½ months are part of the quasi-military Residential Phase. The last 12 months are part of the Post-Residential Phase. Most participants will earn their GED or a high school diploma by the end of their Residential Phase. The program is one of many programs administered by the National Guard Bureau that address leadership, life skills, and physical training.

Phases

Acclimation phase

The program begins with a 2-week Acclimation Phase where candidates can adjust to the physical, mental, and disciplined aspects of the program. At the end of the Acclimation Phase, candidates graduate to cadets and begin the Residential Phase of the program.

Residential phase

The residential phase is a 22-week long phase and the main phase of the Youth Challenge Program. During the Residential Phase, Cadets will attend school, participate in physical training, learn the values of discipline and teamwork, and explore numerous career opportunities.

Post-residential phase

The post-residential phase is a 12-month period that focuses on placement. Cadets must secure positive placement via a job, returning to high school, enrolling in college or a trade program, enlist in the military, or volunteer at least 30 hours a week. Cadets are also expected to maintain contact with their mentor and the program placement staff.

Participating states and territories

The following is a list of states who participate in the Youth Challenge Program. Some states have multiple campuses; for example, Georgia has a YCA at both Fort Stewart and Fort Eisenhower, but both fall under the same state director. Alaska Military Youth Academy in *Alaska Arkansas Youth Challenge in *Arkansas Sunburst Youth Academy in *California Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *District of Columbia Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Florida Georgia Youth Challenge in *Georgia Hawaii Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Hawaii Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Idaho Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy in *Illinois Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Indiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in *Kentucky Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in *Louisiana Freestate ChalleNGe Academy in *Maryland Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Michigan Mississippi ChalleNGe Academy in Mississippi Montana Youth ChalleNGe AcademyMontana Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Nevada New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *New Jersey New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe Academy in New Mexico Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy inNorth Carolina Thunderbird Youth Academy in *Oklahoma Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program in *Oregon Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Puerto Rico Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy in Pennsylvania SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy inSouth Carolina Tennessee National Guard Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy in *Tennessee Texas ChalleNGe Academy in Texas Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy inVirginia Washington Youth Academy in *Washington Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy in *West Virginia Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy in *Wisconsin Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy in *Wyoming

Related programs by the National Guard

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