Letter from Class V Cadet:  "I'm writing to you about the future. For the first time in my life I have one, and I owe it to all of you.  The Academy Cadre were the only people I have ever known that didn't give up on me.  Thank you.  Thank you for believing in me and all those other kids whom you have helped to maintain the fight to succeed." 

Letter from a high school guidance counselor:  "After 31 years of counseling youth at Beloit Memorial High School, I can honestly say that your program is one of the few making a difference."

E-mail from a Mom of a dismissed Cadet:  " He did not graduate, but he came home the end of June.  He returned here to Hurley to complete his senior year in high school without any problems whatsoever and graduated in May of this year on schedule.  He NEVER skipped school again.  His teachers and administrators were completely impressed with his respect for them, his politeness and his willingness to serve as an example for other students who were facing problems similar to his (truancy issues  behavior problems in the classroom).  Justin now has a high self-esteem, is able to cope with anger issues and has excellent problem solving skills.  I doubt he would have made it this far without attending your program." 
 
 Letter from Class III Cadet:  "I wanted to say thank you again for helping me come so, so far.  It wasn't too long ago, I was standing at a pay phone in downtown St. Louis crying, doped up, and lost completely inside, begging the Runaway Hotline to help me go back home after a year of nothing but me searching for something that I found with all of you right there at Fort McCoy.  Peace, confidence, and most importantly respect."
Letter from Class III Cadet:  "Today I am a full time student, playing football as a starter.  My grades as of today stands A  English, B  Key Boarding, C  History, A  Trig, A  Auto.  My attendance is at 100%.  My attitude is all about being the best I know that I can be.  My peers look up at (sic) me for help when they get stuck    I thank this program for helping me through a time where I was stuck and stubborn."

E-mail from  girl friend of an dismissed Cadet:  " my boy friend was just in your camp.  Unfortunately he was dismissed, but I wanted to write you because he has changed so much.  Before he went to camp he was a troublemaker.  He loved trouble, drinking, drugs, and worst of all he disrespected any and everyone  He won't drink  he won't do any drugs  and he has so much respect for himself and others it's amazing.  He has self discipline I thought he would never have, or learn to get  He also dresses good (sic).  He went from gangster to a nice respectable looking person.  Thank you for taking Ryan in and changing him as much as you did."