Improving Life Skills and Employment Potential For Our Nation’s Youth

Program Goal: Through military-based training, significantly improve life skills and employment potential of youth who have fallen behind on credits and are unlikely to graduate on time in a traditional high school setting.

The image shows eager students and faculty members displaying the Battle Born Youth Challenge Academy flag.

Available Spaces

Class 24-2 Begins

Jul 13, 2024

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Class 24-2 Enrollment Ends

Jul 9, 2024

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Image of graduating students from The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a preventive initiative for at-risk high school students aged 16-18.

Mission

The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a preventive rather than remedial program, targets high school students ages 16-18 that are at risk of not graduating on time, free of felony offenses, and who are willing to become drug free. Core components of the program are citizenship, academic excellence (recover credits, earn credits, and if eligible, earn your high school diploma or prepare for the HiSet), life-coping skills, service to community, health and hygiene, job skills, leadership/followership, and physical training.

Participating States and U.S. Territories

Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Image shows the students gearing up for the requirements for The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program and preparing for the rigorous curriculum ahead in military uniform.

Eligibility/Selection

Participants must be: 1) voluntarily applying 2) 16-18 years old 3) behind in credits 4) citizen or legal resident of the United States and the State of Nevada 5) unemployed or underemployed 6) willing to be drug-free 7) not on parole or probation for, not indicted or charged with, not convicted of a felony offense or any offense that would be a felony if charged as an adult 8) physically and mentally capable of completing the program with reasonable accommodations for physical or other handicaps. Eligible youth must apply, attend a program presentation, and participate in an interview before being considered for acceptance to the Academy.

What to Expect at Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Program

A five and a half month residential phase is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with specially trained mentors from each youth’s community

Core Components

Life Coping Skills,
Service to the Community,
Academic Excellence,
Physical Fitness,
Health and Hygiene,
Responsible Citizenship,
Job Skills,
Leadership/Followership

Support

A comprehensive support package, from
appropriate clothing to residential training facilities, is provided to adequately support the program

Mentorship

Meets or exceeds national mentoring
standards established by the National
Mentoring Partnership

These standards encompass mentor
recruiting, screening, training, matching,
monitoring and support

Contacts

Dr. Andre' L. Ponder

Program Director

aponder@govmail.state.nv.us

Kyle O'Connell

Program Coordinator