Academy for Troubled Teens Seeking New Cadets

The Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy is taking applications for its next class of cadets, which begins Jan. 18, 2008.

The Challenge Academy is designed for troubled teens who have the desire and the courage to change the direction of their lives. The program is for those who have dropped out of high school or habitual truants who have fallen so far behind they do not expect to graduate. It consists of 22 weeks at Fort McCoy in a highly structured environment, followed by one year in the cadet’s home community working with a local mentor nominated by the cadet.

The Academy's Curriculum

Each cadet participates in the academy’s eight core components: academic instruction leading to Wisconsin’s High School Equivalency Degree; job skills training; physical fitness; health, hygiene and nutrition; leading and following; life-coping skills; responsible citizenship; and community service.

Qualification for the Academy

To qualify for the program, male and female applicants must be between 16 years, 9 months and 18 years old on Jan. 18. They must have dropped out or be habitually truant from high school.

They cannot currently be on parole or probation for other than juvenile-status offenses, awaiting sentencing, under indictment, or charged with or convicted of a felony. They must also be drug-free when they enter the program.

Applications can be obtained from high school counselors, or from the Challenge Academy’s Web site — www.challengeacademy.org — or from the Admissions Department at (608) 269-4605.