Welcome to the
Kentucky Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy.  

The Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy has been changing the lives of young people since July 1999. 
Over 1,600 students have graduated from the Academy and many have gone on to accomplish much more than they ever thought possible.

If you are looking for a life-changing experience, give the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy a try. Join the hundreds who have gone before you.
Come to the BCA and change your future.

The Beginning

During the late 1980's, the Rockefeller Foundation identified the need in our country to provide opportunities for your young people who were working to overcome problems in their lives. This includes educationally at-risk teens.

In 1991 the Joint Armed Service Committee directed the National Guard to develop a plan to add value to America by providing values, skills, education and self-discipline to young people by incorporating the structure and esprit de corps found in the military model.

The ChalleNGe Program began a three-year pilot operating in fifteen states in July 1993. 
The Kentucky program began in July 1999. Operated by the National Guard Bureau Office of Public Affairs, ChalleNGe is a Governors Special Project under the Office of the Adjutant General. 
Acceptance is not based on income and there are no fees to participating youth. Upon completion of the program, an educational stipend may be available.

The Mission

The mission of the Bluegrass ChalleNGe Academy is to train and mentor selected at-risk youth to become contributing members of society. 
The Models 8 Core Components in a quasi-military environment during a 22-week residential and one-year follow up program does this. 
"Quasi-Military" is a term used to describe a program that resembles military training such as attention to detail, respect, self-discipline, and chain of command.

• Applicants must be between the ages of 16-18 on class start date,
• Free of illegal drugs,
• Educationally at risk,
• Mentally and physically capable to participate,
• Kentucky resident,
• Not under indictment or convicted of a felony offense. 
  

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Drug Free

The Bluegrass Challenge Academy is a drug free program with zero tolerance. Drug Screening will be accomplished in accordance with National Guard Bureau requirements; currently between the intake day and Day 40 of the residential program (usually, first day after first pass).  The program will conduct other drug screening at will to insure a drug free environment. Cadets who test positive during their stay at the Academy are immediately terminated from the program and sent home.

                                             Platoon Concept

The BCA uses the platoon concept as the core training model. Each platoon is supervised by the Platoon Sergeant who has overall responsibility to train and graduate the platoon. Each platoon has several cadre and teachers. The platoon does everything together, this builds team work and unit cohesion, it improves morale and gives the cadets something to be a part of. 

Hours Of Operation

Normal hours of operation for administrative staff, and teachers are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The Cadre provide supervision for the cadets 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the class.