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Governor Mitch Daniels and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, The Adjutant General for the State of Indiana, announce the establishment of the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy. The Indiana National Guard Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy is part of the National Youth ChalleNGe Program which was established in 1993 by the National Guard. The Youth ChalleNGe Program was developed to change the life path of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 19 who have dropped out of high school by bringing structure and discipline to these unfocused lives with an emphasis on education and life coping skills.

The Indiana National Guard’s Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a federally and state funded “at risk” youth academy. Participants must be 16-19 years old, volunteer, high school dropout/expellee, unemployed, drug free, and no felony convictions or pending court cases. This academy is designed to offer its students a variety of educational opportunities as well as the necessary life skills to be successful members of their community, work and school. The Hoosier ChalleNGe Academy is a 17 ½ month, two phase quasi-military modeled training academy. In the course of this academy, students referred to as Cadets, are assisted in attaining their General Educational Diploma (G.E.D) and valuable life skills during the first five months. Cadets receive counseling in the development of Post Residential Action Plans (PRAP) or life plans which are used as guides to accomplish educational and vocational goals set while in the residential phase of the program. Cadets are encouraged and assisted in continuing their education in a college, trade or technical school. Each Cadet obtains additional assistance from a Mentor, who offers guidance and advice with the PRAP during the remaining 12 months. This program is offered to residents of Indiana at 100% tuition free (No cost to parents or participants).

Cadets will focus on the eight core components throughout the seventeen month program. The core components are: leadership, responsible citizenship, academic excellence through the attainment of their GED if they meet the pre-defined standards, job skills, life coping skills, health and hygiene, service to community and physical fitness. Instructors will emphasize self-discipline, self-esteem, education, and development of healthy lifestyles throughout the 17 month program. ChalleNGe empowers youths to embrace responsibility, achievement and positive behavior. The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy program will instill confidence, foster ambition and increase employment opportunities for the graduate.

The first five months of the academy is referred to as the Residential Phase in which Cadets live at the Hoosier ChalleNGe facility in Edinburgh, Indiana. Cadets are not allowed to smoke or use any tobacco products during the Residential Phase of the Academy.

During the Resident Phase, Cadets are supervised at all times and must remain at the facility unless participating in an authorized off-site activity. There are scheduled breaks during which all Cadets return home for a specified amount of time, such as Thanksgiving or Easter. If a Cadet misses more than five days of training, they are immediately considered for dismissal from the academy. Cadets may also be dismissed for excessive disciplinary problems or if they fail one of the random drug tests.

Cadets in the Residential phase are subject to several additional educational and vocational opportunities such as attending the WorkOne Career /Employment Fairs where they have the chance to speak with prospective employers and representatives from colleges, universities and the Armed Forces. All Cadets must complete the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) which assesses their skills and interests to determine which career best fit their abilities while at the academy. Cadets are encouraged to take the American College Testing (ACT) while at the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe.

The remaining 12 months of the academy is the Post Residential Phase. Here the student returns to their community to continue their education (college or trade school) or enter the job market. Mentors are assigned to the Cadets and serves as a role models, friends and advocates for at least 14 months of the program. Mentoring involves a one-on-one relationship between a youth and an adult wherein consistent support and guidance is provided. The goals of the Post Residential Phase are to build on the initial successes of the Cadet during the Residential Phase, and encourage continued growth and change. The Mentor and Cadet must communicate four times a month and submit reports to the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy Post Residential Staff concerning the Cadet’s education, employment, military or volunteer activities.

There is no cost to the Cadet or their family for participation in the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

There is NO MILITARY OBLIGATION for those who participate.

There are only a few times in life when you get
a second chance.
The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy is one of them.

For more information
Please contact the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy at:
1-866-477-0156

The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy is located at 3856 E Hospital Road in Edinburgh,Indiana across the road from Camp Atterbury.

"The Indiana National Guard is proud to be the sponsoring agent for the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy which will assist Hoosier families and communities throughout Indiana. The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy will offer at-risk youth a chance to change their lives. The graduates of the program will move on to further education, become employed or join the military in service to their community, State and Nation" said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger.

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