The National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, a preventive rather than remedial at-risk youth program, which targets participants who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age. Select 19 year olds who will graduate before turning 20 are eligible.
Core components of the program are:
- Responsible Citizenship
- Academic Excellence
- Life-Coping Skills
- Service to Community
- Health and Hygiene
- Job Skills Training
- Leadership/Followership
- Physical Fitness
The 22-week Residential Phase, is followed by a year-long mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth's community.