YOUR SECOND CHANCE AWAITS YOU…
SIGN UP NOW! Our classes begin every January and July
This unique program is FREE and paid for by State and Federal funds.
We are now taking applications for the January 2009 program. Attendance to one of the Pre-Screenings is mandatory to be eligible for the January class.
If you are 16, 17, 18 or 19 years of age, and want to make a change in your life, this program is for you. Take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity that is free of charge. Come, and challenge yourself to reach new heights.
Download an application today! You can do this by filling out the pre-application then proceeding to the main application, which you can print off. If you do not have printing capabilities, please contact our Admissions Office.
Admissions Criteria
In order to enroll in the Virginia Challenge Youth Academy; prospective applicants must meet all of the following requirements. There are no exceptions!
16 to 19 years of age on the first day of the program.
At risk of dropping out of school; school drop out.
Test free of drugs.
No felony convictions, no pending felony charges.
Virginia Resident.
Be a willing volunteer to complete the program.
(neither be sentenced nor forced to come)
Virginia Teens Can Get A Second Chance at Life
VIRGINIA BEACH: Each year, nearly 11,000 Virginia teens drop out of high school. Put another way, that's more than 60 students for each day of the typical high school calendar.
These dropouts are more likely to face poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: Typical dropouts earn $19,000 a year, compared to $28,000 for graduates. Nationally, nearly 70 percent of state prison inmates are high school dropouts.
Despite increased interest in and devotion to keeping troubled teens in school, the fact is that we are dealing with an epidemic -- on a state and national level. Statistics suggest that once at-risk teens leave the shelter of our school systems, it's not good.
Commonwealth ChalleNGe has tried to intervene, offering at-risk teens a second chance when there often is no place left to go.
Based at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Commonwealth ChalleNGe was one of 10 pilot programs of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program begun in 1994 and has since graduated nearly 3,000 students (10 to 15 percent of the most recent classes come from the Richmond/Petersburg area). Offered free to Virginia teens ages 16 to 18 -- the program is paid for through state (40 percent) and federal (60 percent) funds -- Commonwealth ChalleNGe is a statewide co-educational program featuring two components: a 22-week quasi-military phase at Camp Pendleton and a yearlong post-residential phase built on a mentoring relationship.
IT SHOULD BE noted that our program is not a "boot camp."
While at Camp Pendleton, the cadets are introduced to the military in an educational setting. Cadet studies are centered on eight components: academics, life-coping skills, work skills, citizenship, leadership, health education, physical fitness, and community service. We have state-certified teachers and a principal. We have prom. We have a student newspaper. And we contribute to the Hampton Roads community -- nearly 31,000 hours valued at nearly $160,000 from July 2005-June 2006. The cadets also have the opportunity to obtain their GED while with us, and historically, about 70 percent of cadets have succeeded in doing so.
In the post-residential phase, mentors work with the cadets on following through with their life plan -- continued education, employment, or military service. Over time, 60 percent of our graduates have entered the work force, with 20 percent continuing their education and 20 percent entering the military.
Who should apply? High school or middle school dropouts and students at risk of dropping out. Candidates must be drug-free, between the ages of 16 and 18, and currently living in Virginia. Of note, we do not accept those currently charged with or convicted of felony offenses, and candidates must enter the ChalleNGe program voluntarily.
WE WANT students who want to make a change for the better, students who realize the path they're on is heading nowhere fast.
Students such as Colonial Heights' Michael Arroyo, whose mind and body shaped up to the tune of losing 90 pounds and shaving 10 minutes off his mile time last year. And Virginia Beach's Colin Cron, a classmate of Arroyo's who scored a 3640 on the GED -- the highest in the history of the program. And Dumfries' Juan Giusti, an unmotivated teen who dropped out, enrolled in Commonwealth ChalleNGe, and now owns IT services consulting firm Advanced Global Technologies in Northern Virginia. And Woodbridge's Melissa Michael, who currently is on active duty with the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
We see all kinds of teens, ranging from great students who have become apathetic with school and teens who have gotten involved with drugs or alcohol to students who are several grades behind and students who start fights and have little discipline. Boys and girls alike. The common theme: The teens have given up, and in many cases, have been given up on.
The kids we meet look in the mirror. They don't like what they see or what the future holds. It is our challenge to give them some of the tools they need to get ahead, to go somewhere, to make something of their lives. We gladly accept that order.
Thomas M. Early, Colonel USMC (Ret.), is the director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe. Contact him at (800) 796-6472 ext. 227.
ABOUT US
The Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Program is a 22 week residential program that is structured in a military style environment to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self esteem, confidence and pride. Founded under the direction of the Department of Defense in 1991, the National Guard Bureau developed a program to provide values, skills, education and self discipline to young people incorporated in a military model. The Virginia Challenge Academy started in 1994 at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Virginia Challenge Youth Academy
The Challenge Youth Academy opened its doors in July of 1994. In December, our first graduating class of 58 students completed the residential phase of the program and graduated. For many graduates, this was a life-long dream come true. Since then, twenty eight classes totaling over 2600 cadets have completed this rigorous program and have gone on to lead successful lives. Please visit our Success Stories page. The Academy is located in Virginia Beach just a mile away from the beachfront. The Academy is located on Camp Pendleton, the state military reservation. It is located off of Birdneck Road and is about thirty minutes away from downtown Norfolk. The weather is fairly moderate ranging from the low to mid 40's in the winter and low 90's during the summer.
Program Components
The Virginia Challenge Academy (like all Challenge Programs) is divided into three phases. The "Pre Challenge," or Hardcore phase is a two week indoctrination period to determine if the prospective cadet is prepared for the rigors of the program. The "Challenge" phase is a 20 week residential period of academics, physical fitness, counseling (both individual and group), life skills, and team building. This phase most resembles a military school. Cadets live on post in military barracks, eat in the post dining facility, and attend school on post. The third phase is the "Post Residential" phase. This is a one year mentorship period completed in the cadet's community with the guidance and assistance of a screened, trained, and matched mentor. The Virginia Youth Challenge Program operates two residential classes per year. The classes begin in January and in July.
The Virginia Challenge Academy is funded through the Federal and State governments. There is no charge to the family. Tuition, room and board, and books are provided with no cost to the family. There is a minimal clothing requirement (underwear, shoes, personal items, etc.) and a list will be given out at the Pre-screening detailing what they will need to bring. In addition, OPTIONAL costs may include, photos, class ring, yearbook, etc. These items are strictly optional.