Program Description

The Wisconsin National Guard ChalleNGe Academy is a 17-month program for at-risk youth ages 16 years 9 months through 18. Academy cadets complete a 22-week residential phase during which the cadets can earn their High School Equivalency Diploma and change their outlooks and viewpoints on life and character.

During the 22-week residential phase cadets learn to put together a Post-Residential Action Plan (PRAP) with the help of staff members assigned to each cadet. This plan will give them a road map for their future. Following the residential phase each cadets participates in a 12-month post-residential phase where the cadets go on to jobs, post-secondary education, or military service. During the post-residential phase the cadets meet regularly with their adult mentors and work to put into service the values and concepts learned during their 22-week schooling.

Cadets come from all socioeconomic groups and all backgrounds, but all must be at-risk youth as defined by the State of Wisconsin. Traditionally cadets are high school drop-outs, habitual truants, expelled students, or students critically deficient in credits. Cadets must be free of drugs, mentally and physically healthy, not on probation and not be awaiting sentencing, be convicted of, or have charges pending for a felony.

 The most important aspect of a cadet
 is the desire to change one's life .