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Youth Challenge Program
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<h2 id="phases">Phases</h2> <h3>Acclimation phase</h3> <p>The program begins with a 2-week Acclimation Phase where candidates can adjust to the physical, mental, and disciplined aspects of the program.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> At the end of the Acclimation Phase, candidates graduate to cadets and begin the Residential Phase of the program. </p> <h3>Residential phase</h3> <p>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. </p> <h3>Post-residential phase</h3> <p>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.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Cadets are also expected to maintain contact with their mentor and the program placement staff. </p> <h2 id="participating-states-and-territories">Participating states and territories</h2> <p>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 <a href="/facts/Fort_Stewart/K7UQ7ylq">Fort Stewart</a> and <a href="/facts/Fort_Eisenhower/jyxCso2k">Fort Eisenhower</a>, but both fall under the same state director. </p><p>Alaska Military Youth Academy in *<a href="/facts/Alaska/LlDNr2uR">Alaska</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p><p>Arkansas Youth Challenge in *<a href="/facts/Arkansas/Qun124UP">Arkansas</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p><p>Sunburst Youth Academy in *<a href="/facts/California/zLW2vdQJ">California</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p><p>Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Washington%2c_D.C./enXPK156">District of Columbia</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p><p>Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Florida/cF245A3Q">Florida</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p><p>Georgia Youth Challenge in *<a href="/facts/Georgia_(U.S._state)/KKnTDY6F">Georgia</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> </p><p>Hawaii Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Hawaii/ImxFefeK">Hawaii</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Idaho/68ELs9Um">Idaho</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p>Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Illinois/MuPb1Ctn">Illinois</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p><p>Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Indiana/VRnvjXoQ">Indiana</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> </p><p>National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in *<a href="/facts/Kentucky/DaTW05Rt">Kentucky</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p><p>Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in *<a href="/facts/Louisiana/2GvfFcKE">Louisiana</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> </p><p>Freestate ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Maryland/tVy9fC1n">Maryland</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p><p>Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Michigan/bCurmfT2">Michigan</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p><p>Mississippi ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Mississippi/7KwuWxxT">Mississippi</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p><p>Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy*<a href="/facts/Montana/jPFKMuK5">Montana</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> </p><p>Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Nevada/HNWhCrQv">Nevada</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> </p><p>New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/New_Jersey/pI5k19S7">New Jersey</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> </p><p>New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/New_Mexico/wosJCGaW">New Mexico</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> </p><p>Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy in*<a href="/facts/North_Carolina/VhKNTULI">North Carolina</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> </p><p>Thunderbird Youth Academy in *<a href="/facts/Oklahoma/fK28L1a4">Oklahoma</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a> </p><p>Oregon Youth ChalleNGe Program in *<a href="/facts/Oregon/4Uq446Ko">Oregon</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> </p><p>Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Puerto_Rico/jVStMyG4">Puerto Rico</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> </p><p>Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Pennsylvania/HGqC5bBm">Pennsylvania</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p><p>SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy in*<a href="/facts/South_Carolina/lQQX84IS">South Carolina</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> </p><p>Tennessee National Guard Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Tennessee/A3mLY9bu">Tennessee</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30"><sup>30</sup></a> </p><p>Texas ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Texas/B987WHF0">Texas</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31"><sup>31</sup></a> </p><p>Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy in*<a href="/facts/Camp_Pendleton_(Virginia)/AFcA2Ccc">Virginia</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32"><sup>32</sup></a> </p><p>Washington Youth Academy in *<a href="/facts/Washington_(U.S._state)/7tCrTFnN">Washington</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:33" href="#fn:33"><sup>33</sup></a> </p><p>Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/West_Virginia/USP8LtCq">West Virginia</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:34" href="#fn:34"><sup>34</sup></a> </p><p>Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy in *<a href="/facts/Wisconsin/XvyqH6vN">Wisconsin</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:35" href="#fn:35"><sup>35</sup></a> </p><p>Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy in *<a href="/facts/Wyoming/kuKmWryL">Wyoming</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:36" href="#fn:36"><sup>36</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="related-programs-by-the-national-guard">Related programs by the National Guard</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090505175559/http://www.partnersineducation.com/?">Partners in Education</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090506044613/http://www.humveeschoolprogram.com/">HUMVEE School Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20010220180813/http://www.youcanschoolprogram.com/">YOU CAN School Program</a>[<i>usurped</i>]</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090512233505/http://www.guardfitchallenge.com/">Guard Fit Challenge</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090406031641/http://www.guardhop.com/">Heritage Outreach Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.asvabprogram.com">ASVAB Career Exploration Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090214194751/http://virtualarmory.com/recruiting/GED/">GED Plus Program</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090307013311/http://www.ngb-youth.com/AboutFace_index.html">About Face</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090717005508/http://www.ngb-youth.com/ForwardMarch_index.html">Forward March</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/appndx9.html">National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Program</a></li></ul> <h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Civil_Air_Patrol/05sv88n9">Civil Air Patrol</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Exploring_(Learning_for_Life)/GaUYTjY1">Exploring (Learning for Life)</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Junior_Reserve_Officers%2527_Training_Corps/SMNoFedS">Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/United_States_Naval_Sea_Cadet_Corps/0yJWhasd">United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Young_Marines/Mp5TJVGh">Young Marines</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Youth Challenge Program. <ul><li><a href="https://www.jointservicessupport.org/ngycp/">Official National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program Site</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ngyf.org/">Official National Guard Youth Foundation Sites</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sunburstyouthacademy.com/">Official Southern California Sunburst Youth ChalleNGe Academy Site</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.idyouthchallenge.com/">Official Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy Site</a></li> <li><a href="https://scyouthchallenge.com/">Official South Carolina Youth ChalleNGe Academy Site</a></li> <li><a href="http://miycp.org/">Official Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy Site</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>National Guard Programs and Presentations Archived May 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.partnersineducation.com/Content/Default.aspx?pid=9" target="_blank">http://www.partnersineducation.com/Content/Default.aspx?pid=9</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Youth Challenge Program Phases - National Guard Youth Challenge | Dream. Believe. Achieve". <a href="https://ngchallenge.org/about-us/challenge-phases/" target="_blank">https://ngchallenge.org/about-us/challenge-phases/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Youth Challenge Program Phases - National Guard Youth Challenge | Dream. Believe. Achieve". <a href="https://ngchallenge.org/about-us/challenge-phases/" target="_blank">https://ngchallenge.org/about-us/challenge-phases/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Alaska Military Youth Academy". dmva.alaska.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://dmva.alaska.gov/AMYA/" target="_blank">https://dmva.alaska.gov/AMYA/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Arkansas Youth Challenge". www.aryouthchallenge.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.aryouthchallenge.com/" target="_blank">https://www.aryouthchallenge.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Sunburst Youth Academy". www.sunburstyouthacademy.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://sunburstyouthacademy.com/" target="_blank">https://sunburstyouthacademy.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.cgyca.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://www.cgyca.org/" target="_blank">http://www.cgyca.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.floridayouthchallengeacademy.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://floridayouthchallengeacademy.org/" target="_blank">https://floridayouthchallengeacademy.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Georgia Youth Challenge". www.georgiayouthchallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.georgiayouthchallenge.org/" target="_blank">https://www.georgiayouthchallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"State of Hawaii Youth Challenge Academy". dod.hawaii.gov/yca. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://dod.hawaii.gov/yca/" target="_blank">https://dod.hawaii.gov/yca/</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.idyouthchallenge.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://www.idyouthchallenge.com/" target="_blank">http://www.idyouthchallenge.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Lincoln's Challenge Academy". www.lincolnschallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.lincolnschallenge.org/" target="_blank">https://www.lincolnschallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy". hoosieryouthchallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://hoosieryouthchallenge.org/" target="_blank">http://hoosieryouthchallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Kentucky National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program". www.kychallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.kychallenge.org/" target="_blank">https://www.kychallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Louisiana National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program". www.langycp.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.langycp.com/" target="_blank">https://www.langycp.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Ansel M. Stroud, Jr". The Shreveport Times. Retrieved 11 July 2016. <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=a-m-stroud&pid=180534402&fhid=6593#sthash.kalJIGS7.dpuf" target="_blank">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=a-m-stroud&pid=180534402&fhid=6593#sthash.kalJIGS7.dpuf</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Freestate ChalleNGe Academy". freestatemil.maryland.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://freestatemil.maryland.gov/" target="_blank">https://freestatemil.maryland.gov/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy". miycp.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://miycp.org/" target="_blank">http://miycp.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Mississippi ChalleNGe Academy". msyouthchallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://msyouthchallenge.org/" target="_blank">https://msyouthchallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.youthchallenge.mt.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://www.youthchallenge.mt.gov" target="_blank">http://www.youthchallenge.mt.gov</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>"Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy". nvng.nv.gov/BBYCA/. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://nvng.nv.gov/BBYCA/" target="_blank">https://nvng.nv.gov/BBYCA/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"New Jersey Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.nj.gov/military/challenge/index.html. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.nj.gov/military/challenge/index.html" target="_blank">https://www.nj.gov/military/challenge/index.html</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>"New Mexico Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.nmyca.net. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.nmyca.net/" target="_blank">https://www.nmyca.net/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>"Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy". nc-tcachallenge.org/national-challenge-program. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://nc-tcachallenge.org/national-challenge-program/" target="_blank">http://nc-tcachallenge.org/national-challenge-program/</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>"Thunderbird Youth Academy". thunderbird.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://thunderbird.org/" target="_blank">http://thunderbird.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Oregon Youth Challenge Program". www.oycp.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.oycp.com/" target="_blank">https://www.oycp.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>White, Jeff (3 April 2017). "Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy Graduates 225 Cadets". LinkedIn. Retrieved 19 March 2018. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/puerto-rico-youth-challenge-academy-graduates-225-cadets-jeff-white" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/puerto-rico-youth-challenge-academy-graduates-225-cadets-jeff-white</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>"Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy". Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy. Retrieved 2024-12-03. <a href="https://www.dmva.pa.gov/KeystoneStateChallengeAcademy/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.dmva.pa.gov/KeystoneStateChallengeAcademy/Pages/default.aspx</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>"SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy". www.scyouthchallenge.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://scyouthchallenge.com/" target="_blank">https://scyouthchallenge.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:30"><p>"Tennessee National Guard Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy". www.tn.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.tn.gov/tnvolunteerchallenge" target="_blank">https://www.tn.gov/tnvolunteerchallenge</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:31"><p>"Texas ChalleNGe Academy". tmd.texas.gov. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.tn.gov/tnvolunteerchallenge" target="_blank">https://www.tn.gov/tnvolunteerchallenge</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:32"><p>"Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy". www.vachallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="http://www.vachallenge.org/" target="_blank">http://www.vachallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:33"><p>"Washington Youth Academy". mil.wa.gov/youth-academy. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy" target="_blank">https://mil.wa.gov/youth-academy</a> <a href="#fnref:33" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:34"><p>"Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy". wvchallenge.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://wvchallenge.org/" target="_blank">https://wvchallenge.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:34" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:35"><p>"Wisconsin ChalleNGe Academy". www.challengeacademy.org. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://www.challengeacademy.org/" target="_blank">https://www.challengeacademy.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:35" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:36"><p>"Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy". wycowboychallenge.org. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved 18 March 2018. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130814015824/http://wycowboychallenge.org" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130814015824/http://wycowboychallenge.org</a> <a href="#fnref:36" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>