Mentoring... The Core of ChalleNGe.

Mentor follow-up throughout the 12-month Post-Residential Phase has proven to be the key ingredient to the long-term success of Youth ChalleNGe graduates.

The role of a Mentor is to serve as a cadet's role model, friend and advocate. Mentoring involves a caring one-on-one relationship between a youth and an adult where consistent support and guidance are provided.  During the Residential Phase, mentors maintain regular contact with their cadets via telephone calls, emails, letters, or face-to-face meetings in an effort to provide support and guidance during this demanding time.  As cadets move from the Academy's 5 1/2 month residential program back to their homes, mentors help to ease their transition back into the community.

Interested in becoming a Mentor?

Thunderbird Youth Academy is seeking volunteers to become mentors for TYA cadets. If you would like to become a mentor please complete a Mentor Application form (Click on the link on the left). Once you have completed the mentor application in its entirety, you can mail or fax it as indicated below.

Mail to:   Thunderbird Youth Academy
                Mentor Coordinator
                417 South Elliott
                Pryor, Oklahoma  74361

Fax To:   Attn:  Vicki Smiddy, Mentor Coordinator
                (918) 824-4858

Mentor Reports

Mentors are required to submit monthly reports throughout the 12 month Post-Residential phase. Reports detailing monthly contact should be received at Thunderbird Youth Academy no later than the 1st day of each month. There is a new mentor reporting site for submitting reports online that is linked directly to our data management program.  If you don't use the new report site then you may mail, fax, or email your report to your assigned Regional Coordinator.  You will be assigned a Regional Coordinator during the mandatory mentor training. 

Mentor Newsletters

Check out the Mentor Newsletters for additional information and tips about mentoring.