Youth Challenge Program

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 Gordon, 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 Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy in *Michigan Mississippi ChalleNGe Academy in *Mississippi Montana Youth ChalleNGe Academy*Montana 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 in*North 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 in*South Carolina Tennessee National Guard Volunteer ChalleNGe Academy in *Tennessee Texas ChalleNGe Academy in *Texas Virginia National Guard Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy in*Virginia 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==

• Partners in Education • HUMVEE School Program • • Guard Fit Challenge • Heritage Outreach Program • ASVAB Career Exploration Program • GED Plus Program • About Face • Forward March • National Guard Drug Demand Reduction Program ==Gallery==

File:Grizzly Youth Academy Groundbreaking (12230079043).jpg|Officials break ground for the California National Guard's Grizzly Youth Academy program expansion work at Camp San Luis Obispo. File:Youth Challenge Cadets Graduate in Time for Holidays National Guard Affiliated Program Gives Youth a Second Chance DVIDS352614.jpg|Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy cadets applaud at their graduation ceremony held at the high school in Knightstown, Indiana. File:National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program 150210-Z-DZ751-014.jpg|Army Gen. Frank Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, converses with a Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy cadet. File:Badger Challenge cadets work on a walking trail near the Wisconsin Military Academy.jpg|Badger Challenge cadets work on a walking trail near the Wisconsin Military Academy. File:A backpack journalist (5965286524).jpg|Youth ChalleNGe cadet Triana Daughtry of Augusta reviews her writing with "A Backpack Journalist" instructor Dillon Horne during a free-verse poetry course. ==See also==