North Carolina's Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a quasi-military program for high school dropouts, or expellees who, if left unguided, could be headed for trouble. The Program concentrates on providing these young adults with the discipline and life skills necessary to be productive members of society.
The North Carolina National Guard sponsors the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, located in Sampson County near Clinton, N.C. However, there are no military obligations for attending the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy. Cadets are free to choose military service as one of their options, but are not required to do so.
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy is a volunteer program. Anyone can recommend and assist cadets. However, an applicant must volunteer for the training and be motivated and committed to turning his/her life around through this "second chance." There is no cost to the cadet or the cadet's family other than personal items like toiletries.
Click here
for more information about the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. (Link is to a PDF file and will open in a new window. If you are unable to display this file, click here to download Adobe Reader for free).
Core Components
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy seeks to improve the life and future employment potential of its cadets by concentrating on eight core components:
- Academic excellence
- Leadership and followership
- Physical fitness
- Sevice to the Community
- Employment skills
- Health and nutrition
- Life-coping skills
- Responsible citizenship
Program Phases
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy program is divided into two phases: 22 weeks in residence at the Academy and 12 months of post residental mentoring.
During the residental phase, cadets wear uniforms, follow a daily schedule, attend classes and participate in other developmental activities designed to strengthen their minds and bodies. They concentrate on learning to work within a structured and disciplined environment. A major part of the residential phase prepares cadets for General Education Development (GED) testing.
Click here
to see a representative daily schedule (in Excel spreadsheet format) for Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy cadets.
Mentors
The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy screens and trains an adult mentor for each cadet. Mentors and cadets are matched during the residental phase. This mentor volunteers to give support to one cadet for at least 12 months following graduation. Mentors provide the support and guidance necessary to keep their graduate on track and focused on the path to success.
Click here
for a mentor application form (Word document).
Contact Us
For more information about the Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy, please contact us at 1-800-573-9966 or 910-525-5520.
