Core Components
There are eight core components of the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy program. Cadets must successfully complete all eight components to graduate from the Academy. The core components are designed to educate and produce youth that will become productive members of the community upon graduation.
- Academic Excellence
- Life Coping Skills
- Job Skills
- Health and Hygiene
- Responsible Citizenship
- Service to the Community
- Leadership/Followership
- Physical Fitness
1. Academic Excellence:
Classroom studies at the Academy are designed to enhance the cadet's education skills and instill a desire to continue self-improvement throughout their lifetime. Studies include the five basic areas included on the General Educational Development (GED) certificate test: math, science, social studies, language arts and literature. PLATO is the software program which is used to enhance basic skills in addition to allowing for personal advancfement. The Academy also uses the TABE (The Adult Basic Education) test which is a measure of performance which correlates to traditional secondary school grade levels. Approximately 17 weeks into the program, Cadets take the GED examination and scores are usually available by final graduation.
2. Life Coping Skills
Cadets explore their value structure and come to understand the attitudes that serve to motivate them as individuals, as members of the Academy and as citizens. Goal Planning is an on-going part of ChalleNGe. Each Cadet develops a Life Plan which includes short-term and long-term goals. Included in this area are classes and workshops on Healthy Relationships, Gender Stereotyping, Team Building, Parenting and Personal Finance.
3. Job Skills
Cadets develop the basic skills necessary to conduct job searches as their position in the community changes. Goal planning is one of the many areas covered in this component. Each Cadet develops a Life Plan which includes short-term and long-term goals. Cadets learn to complete a written resume, fill out employment applications and how to conduct themselves during an interview.
4. Health and Hygiene:
It is important that each cadet understand the positive correlation between good health and hygiene habits and life-long mental, physical and emotional well-being. Tobacco Prevention Education Classes, Nutrition, and Sexual Responsibility are just a few of the topics covered.
5. Responsible Citizenship:
Each cadet will develop a better understanding of the forces that work to make a community strong and supportive of its members, as well as the forces that work to disintegrate a community. Cultural diversity and awareness, violence prevention, promoting justice, Voter registration, Selective Service and the Honor Code/General Orders are among some of the topics discussed.
6. Service to the Community
In the Core Component of Service to the Community, Cadets develop an understanding of the benefits gained through volunteering in community projects and agencies. Cadets volunteer many hours during each 22 week program performing services for organizations such as Adopt-A-Highway Program, Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, Certificates and awards are given to cadets for their participation.
7. Leadership/Followership:
Each cadet gains exposure to the traits of a good leader and the skills necessary to become a valued member of society. These skills prepare the Cadet to serve in such roles of leading and following as: Color Guard, Drill and Ceremony, Land Navigation, Platoon Olympics,and Hard Core Challenges.
8. Physical Fitness:
Cadets participate in a program of physical fitness training which encourages a lifelong commitment to physical, mental and emotional well-being. Cadets will show improvement during the 22-week residential program. Activities include, but are not limited to: aerobics, one-mile runs and organized athletics.
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