Freestate ChalleNGe Academy

KEY BENEFITS

Leadership Development and Character Building

GED Preparation and High School Diploma Opportunities

Job Skills Training and Career Exploration

Scholarship Opportunities

Physical Fitness and Health Education

Mentorship and Support

Structured and Disciplined Environment

TRANSFORM YOUR FUTURE WITH THE

FREESTATE CHALLENGE ACADEMY

A National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program empowering young adults to achieve academic success, develop essential life skills, and become productive citizens.

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Online Orientation Registration Form

About Freestate ChalleNGe Academy

Freestate ChalleNGe Academy provides Maryland youth aged 16-18 who have dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out, with a life-changing opportunity to earn their High School Diploma, develop valuable job skills, and build a foundation for a successful future.

8-Core Components of ChalleNGe

1. Academic Excellence: This is evidenced by increasing educational grade levels and/or obtaining a high school diploma (GED), pursuit of higher post-secondary education, pursuit of continuing education, obtaining a remedial basic education, computer awareness and literacy.

2. Physical Fitness: This is evidenced by incremental improvement in physical fitness to include endurance, stamina, strength and proportional weight.

3. Responsible Citizenship: This component helps each Cadet to develop a better understanding of the forces that work to make a community strong and supportive of its members. Cultural awareness, violence prevention, promoting justice and the honor code are discussed in this area.

4. Health and Hygiene: In this Core Component, 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. Family planning classes, nutrition, and sexual responsibility are just a few of the topics covered in this area.

5. Job Skills: This is evidenced by exploring vocational-technical schools, demonstrating academic skills such as research and writing, being aware of entry-level job opportunities, and understanding career field clusters.

6. Leadership/Followership: This is evidenced by understanding group dynamics and the importance of roles within groups. Emphasis on practical applications of multiple leadership/followership scenarios in Cadets’ activities. Understanding the ethical and moral dimensions of leadership. Understanding responsibilities of leadership and followership.

7. Service to Community: Participate in community self-help projects and activities that benefit the community as a whole. Participate in community organizations that aim to enhance the community as a whole.

8. Life Coping Skills: Each Cadet can begin to explore his/her value structure and come to a better understanding of the attitudes, needs, and desires that motivate them as individuals, members of the Academy, and citizens. Classes and workshops on the following topics are included in this area: substance abuse, anger management, stress management, gender stereotyping, team-building skills, parenting, and budgeting.

SUCCESS STORIES

From the Streets to Soldier: Grad credits ChalleNGe Academy for success

NEWS AND EVENTS

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