There are eight Core components of the Youth ChalleNGe Program. The core components are designed to educate and produce youth that will become productive members of the community upon graduation.
The eight core components are:
Life Coping Skills
Academic Excellence
Job Skills
Responsible Citizenship
Leadership and Followership
Health and Hygiene
Physical Fitness
Service to Community
Increased self-esteem and self-discipline are gained through a combination of classroom activities and a structured living environment. The development of individual strategies and coping mechanisms for managing personal life are developed through structured group discussion and in the classroom environment. Included in this area are classes on substance abuse, anger management, stress management, team building skills, parenting and budgeting.
2. Academic Excellence:
The goal at Louisiana Youth Challenge is to increase students reading and math abilities and prepare them for the General Education Development (GED) test. Classes are given in five areas that are tested on the GED test. Students consistently increase 3 to 4 grade levels during the 5 month residential phase.
3. Job Skills:
Career exploration is accomplished through career assessment and interest inventories, and job-specific skills orientation and awareness. Specific classroom activities focus on development of individual resumes, completing job applications and preparation for interviews..
4. Responsible Citizenship:
This component helps each cadet to develop a better understanding of the forces that work to make a community strong and supportive of its members. Cultural awareness, violence prevention, promoting justice and the honor code are discussed in this area. United States Government structure and processes are also addressed in the classroom. Students are given the opportunity to register with the selective service, register to vote and participate in elections.
5. Leadership/Followership:
Each cadet gains the skills necessary to be a good follower, a valued member of society, and gains exposure to the traits of good leaders so they may be prepared to lead when the opportunity arrives. Leadership Positions, Color Guard, Drill and Ceremonies, and Character Development are part of this curriculum.
6. Health and Hygiene:
It is important that each cadet understand the positive correlation between good health and hygiene habits and life-long mental, physical and emotional well-being. Tobacco Education, substance Abuse, Nutrition and Sexual Responsibility are just a few of the topics covered in this area.
7. Physical Fitness:
Cadets participate in a program of physical fitness training, which encourages a lifelong commitment to physical well-being. Cadets must show improvement during the 22-week residential program. Activities include, but are not limited to: military style PT, running and organized sports.
8. Service to the Community:
Cadets develop an understanding of the benefits gained through volunteering. Cadets volunteer a minimum of 40 hours performing services for community agencies.