National Guard

Youth Challenge Program

The National Guard Youth Challenge Program, a preventive rather than remedial at-risk youth program, targets participants who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age.

Core components of the program are:

citizenship
academic excellence (GED/high school diploma attainment)
life-coping skills
service to community
health and hygiene
job skills training
leadership/followership
and physical training.

The 22-week Residential Phase, which includes the Pre-ChalleNGe Phase, is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth's community.

For more information visit the National Guard Youth Challenge Program web site.