Governor Mitch Daniels and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, The Adjutant General for the State of Indiana, announce the establishment of the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy. The Indiana National Guard Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy is part of the National Youth ChalleNGe Program which was established in 1993 by the National Guard. The Youth ChalleNGe Program was developed to change the life path of young men and women between the ages of 16 and 18 who have dropped out of high school by bringing structure and discipline to these unfocused lives with an emphasis on education and life coping skills.

The academy is a seventeen month program and consists of three phases: a two-week residential pre-challenge phase, a five month residential challenge phase and a twelve month post graduation non-residential phase. Applicants must be volunteers between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age, not in trouble with the law, drug free, unemployed and high school drop outs. Prospective applicants must demonstrate a desire to improve themselves to become a successful and productive citizen of Indiana.

Cadets will focus on the eight core components throughout the seventeen month program. The core components are: leadership, responsible citizenship, academic excellence through the attainment of their GED if they meet the pre-defined standards, job skills, life coping skills, health and hygiene, service to community and physical fitness. Instructors will emphasize self-discipline, self-esteem, education, and development of healthy lifestyles throughout the 17 month program. ChalleNGe empowers youths to embrace responsibility, achievement and positive behavior. The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy program will instill confidence, foster ambition and increase employment opportunities for the graduate.

The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy will be located at 3856 E Hospital Road in Edinburgh,Indiana across the road from Camp Atterbury. Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy conduct ed the first class on July 8th, 2007.

"The Indiana National Guard is proud to be the sponsoring agent for the Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy which will assist Hoosier families and communities throughout Indiana. The Hoosier Youth ChalleNGe Academy will offer at-risk youth a chance to change their lives. The graduates of the program will move on to further education, become employed or join the military in service to their community, State and Nation" said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger.

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