·         Homesickness– This is a real feeling that can affect more than one-third of all people who experience a new and distance environment. Learn how to help yourself or your child through this with information from the library or on the internet.

 

 

·         Culture shock– There will be no cell phones, computers (except for those at school computer labs), and no video games. Experiment with yourself or your child by going a day or two at a time without these luxuries.

 

 

·         Sleep habits– Cadets get up early in the mornings EVERY MORNING. Get yourself up or have your child get up at 5:AM or 6:AM 2-3 mornings each week for a couple of weeks prior to registration day.

 

 

·         Exercising– Many children (especially teens) live a life of inactivity. Prior to registration, motivate yourself or encourage your child to begin getting into condition by running and doing push-ups daily.

 

 

·         Food– Convenience food is not offered at Grizzly Youth Academy. Start offering home cooked meals, sitting down together for meals, and discouraging eating out at fast-food restaurants.

 

For parents, the first few weeks can be very difficult for candidates/cadets due to all of these changes. Numerous excuses are offered to QUIT our program that stand on very week grounds. It is important for parents, family members, and mentors to stand firm and encourage your kids to endure all of the changes and accept the ChalleNGe that they signed up to complete. It is a very short 22 week in their lifetime.

 

For cadets, this is an opportunity to re-invent yourself by leaving your past behind you. Protect your past by not bragging about all the trouble you have gotten into in the past. Put up with “stuff.” Follow instructions without asking why. Don’t get frustrated. Don’t think too much as to why, just accept it.