Established in 1993, the Academy is located at the National Guard Training Center, Fort Stewart, Georgia.Youth ChalleNGe training is divided into three phases: a two-week residential Pre-ChalleNGe Phase, a twenty-week Residential ChalleNGe Phase, and a twelve-month Post-Residential Phase.Youth ChalleNGe Academy is Tobacco Free.
Pre-ChalleNGe Phase: This phase is an introduction to Military Life including Physical Fitness, Educational testing, Drug screening, and a Medical exam. Candidates must successfully complete these tasks before progressing to the next phase.
ChalleNGe Phase: The twenty-week ChalleNGe phase focuses on the following four training areas: Military, Academic, Life Skills, and Work Skills.
Military: The Academy is modeled after a U.S. Army basic training company. Cadets are trained in traditional Drill and Ceremony, Military Customs and Courtesies, Teamwork, and Military Leadership. Physical Fitness, First Aid, CPR, Survival, Climbing, and Rappelling also play an important part in the military training. Military structure creates a strictly enforced, disciplined environment. Life Skills training focuses on those subjects that help prepare Cadets for meeting future adult obligations. Subject areas include 150 hours of the following: finances, health and hygiene, family planning, stress management, insurance, community service, and citizenship. Upon completion of Life Skills and the GED, Cadets are eligible for optional post-secondary instruction.
Life Skills: Training focuses on those subjects that help prepare Cadets for meeting future adult obligations. Subject areas include 150 hours of the following: finances, health and hygiene, family planning, stress management, insurance, community service, and citizenship.Upon completion of Life Skills and the GED, cadets are eligible for optional post-secondary instruction.
Academic: Training begins with GED preparation classes. Cadets work individually on a self-paced program which allows teachers to give one-on-one instruction to those who need additional help. Cadets who qualify may enroll in college-level courses offered by a local College or Technical Institute (College courses offered are transferable). Other certificate-producing courses may be offered. Work Skills are defined as skills needed to gain and maintain employment. Cadets learn to identify personal skills, interests, and abilities. Cadets learn to identify their qualifications and search for selected jobs. They also learn to write resumes, complete applications, and participate in job interviews. Cadets may also have opportunities to job shadow in local jobs to gain additional knowledge and skills.
Work Skills: Are defined as skill's "needed to gain employment." Cadets learn to identify personal skills, interests and abilities. Cadets learn to identify their qualifications and search for selected jobs. They also learn to write resumes complete applications and participate in job interviews. Cadets may also have opportunities to job shadow in local areas in order to gain additional knowledge and skills at industries & organizations.
