The South Carolina National Guard wants to challenge you with a second opportunity for success. 

We offer two classes per year, in April and October.  Our program provides a wealth of educational enrichment offered by the staff and facilities with the SC National Guard's commitment to serving the state's at-risk youth. This collaboration makes an unprecedented pledge of success to our at-risk youth--youth who represent South Carolina's future.

The Youth ChalleNGe Academy is not for everyone. It's not a summer camp...it's tough. When you enroll, you commit to no alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs. You commit to discipline which is the critical factor in helping you build your own confidence, self-respect and physical conditioning. Not all who enroll will graduate, but those who do find they've turned the corner in getting their lives together.

The Youth ChalleNGe Academy is designed to help youth acquire the basic skills and education necessary to succeed in life.  Youth will have the opportunity to earn their General Equivalency Diploma or GED. 

It is a two-part program.

The first phase, the residential phase is five months long. This phase includes a two week Pre-Challenge Phase - A short opportunity to adjust to the rigors and discipline of the program.

There are eight core components to the residential phase:
Academic Excellence, Life-Coping Skills, Job Skills, Health and Hygiene, Responsible Citizenship, Service to Community, Leadership/Followership, and Physical Fitness.

Military Structure - Current and retired members of the South Carolina Army National Guard and other branches of the military provide military leadership and discipline for students during the residential phase of the program. The ChalleNGe Academy is premised upon leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline as taught and modeled within a quasi-military framework. Students can expect these values to be thoroughly integrated into all aspects of the ChalleNGe Academy, honoring the motivation and desire of an entering student into a productive, employable young adult graduate.

During the Post-Residential phase, students pursue their academic and vocational goals under the guidance of a mentor from their home community. The mentor helps the graduate to explore continued opportunities for success by assisting with career planning and decision making.

ELIGIBILITY REGUIREMENTS

A cadet must be a citizen of SC and legal resident of the US or show proof of your Tax ID # along with a birth certificate.

Entrance is open to male/female, 16 through 19.5 years of age
A high school dropout or potential drop out to include expulsions from the school system
Unemployed or Underemployed
Drug Free (ALL CADETS WILL BE TESTED)
A cadet cannot be under indictment or convicted of a felony offense or court ordered to participate in our program
Each cadet must be physically and mentally capable of completing the Academy

For further information on admissions please contact: 

Jamie Gantt
Email: ganttj@tag.scmd.state.sc.us 

Admissions:
Cell: (803) 465-3265 / 803-832-4879
Toll-Free:  1-866-737-7292
FAX: (803) 832-4880