The WI Challenge Academy Mission

“To offer our Cadets the opportunity to develop the strength of character and the life-skills necessary to become successful, responsible citizens.”

Founded in 1998 and located at Fort McCoy, the Wisconsin Challenge Academy is an alternative education program designed to reclaim the lives of at-risk youth and produce graduates with the values, skills, education, and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults.

The Academy is part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, a community-based program that leads, trains, and mentors 16-18 year-olds so that they may become productive citizens in America’s future.

Program Phases

 

Pre-Challenge (Acclimation Phase)

First 2 Weeks

Pre-Challenge consist of the first two weeks of the program and precedes the Residential Phase. This two week period orients Candidates to the Challenge program environment by allowing them to adjust to the physical, mental, and social discipline required to successfully complete the program. The focus is on teamwork, close quarter drill, code of conduct, leadership and followership, and physical fitness training.

Candidates relinquish personal items, receive haircuts, and exchange their street clothes for uniforms, placing them all on a level playing field. During Pre-Challenge, staff members continually assess each Candidate’s potential for success in the Residential Phase.

Candidates learn to replace negative behaviors, attitudes, and skills and are introduced to daily experiences of healthy routines and a structured and disciplined environment.

At the end of Pre-Challenge, motivated Candidates are selected to enroll in Challenge and become Cadets. Historically, the majority of the selected Cadets will go on to successfully complete the Residential Phase.

 

Residential Phase

22 Weeks (Including Pre-Challenge)

During the Residential Phase, Cadets experience a structured and disciplined schedule that focuses on developing their social, emotional, academic, and basic life skills. This is accomplished through the implementation of the Eight Core Components, the foundation of the Challenge program intervention model.

Cadets complete the Residential Phase with the skills and values necessary for their successful transition and integration into adult society.

Mentors are matched with Cadets midway through the Residential Phase. The mentors help support the Cadets during the remainder of the Residential Phase and help them prepare to reenter community life. Mentors continue their responsibilities during the 12-month Post-Residential Phase.

 

Post-Residential Phase

To 1 Year After Graduation

The 12-month Post-Residential Phase begins when graduates return to their communities, to return to high school, pursue higher education, find a job, join the military, or volunteer at least 25 hours a week. The goal of this Phase is for graduates to sustain and build on the gains made during the Residential Phase. In addition, they must continue to develop and implement their life plans.

The mentors, matched with Cadets during the Residential Phase, play a critical role in ensuring their continued success. They help youth transition from the structured environment of the Residential Phase to self-management. The mentors also support and guide the Cadets through implementation of their Post-Residential Action Plan (P-RAP).

Our Graduates Are Our Proof

  • Tami Anderson
    My grandson went to the challenge Academy and came out a different person, it was the greatest thing that could happen to him.
    Tami Anderson
    Grandparent of Class 50 Graduate
  • Sabrina Boyd
    The Challenge Academy formed me into the woman I am today, I have self discipline, the program was very rewarding. I’d recommend it for anyone struggling to continue on the right path. I think about it every day, and would love to go through it all over again, you may not like it when you’re there every day, but I promise you will miss it every day for the rest of your life. I have now been in the medical field the last 10 years working as a laboratory technician. I have used all the knowledge I learned at the academy in my every day life as a mother, daughter, coworker, and friend. Thank you Challenge Academy for making my life truly amazing.
    Sabrina Boyd
    Class 30
  • Christine Burg
    This program is great to give kids a chance to succeed! The mentor program is great! Kim’s mentor helps her keep on track after the program! They go out for lunch once a month still!
    Christine Burg
    Parent of Class 47 Graduate
  • Oscar Mar-Garcia
    The Challenge academy turned my life around by firmly establishing the necessary character traits to be a capable and productive person such as discipline, self control, and accountability.
    Oscar Mar-Garcia
    Class 43
  • Alyssa Walker (Shearer)
    For me; the Challenge Academy instilled life long ways to live. From being in society, to working as a team, and loving as a family. Being a part of the graduating class of 24 forever changed my life. Courage, honor, integrity, discipline, and commitment are not only words that I live by; but life mottos. I’ve taken what I learned at the challenge academy and applied it as my way of life, in all aspects of my life. These are mottos that we are now teaching our children. I couldn’t be more grateful for all of the Team Leaders, Senior Team Leaders, and Instructors that helped shape me into the woman I am today.
    Alyssa Walker (Shearer)
    Class 24
  • Brett Johnson
    The academy is a truly fantastic program, it shows young men and women how to evolve and become great adults. It personally taught me how even though we make mistakes we can still carve out a new path and make our way in life.
    Brett Johnson
    Class 29
  • Sherri Sonnentag
    I'm so pleased and impressed with the Academy! If it weren't for the Academy and all of the time that the amazing staff had taken to be there for my son Zachary he never would have graduated from Lomira High School! He had learned so much at the Academy work ethic first aid cleanliness respect so many things that I can't even name them all! I just want to say that any child that needs a second chance at life this is a perfect program! This is a true blessing to all of the kids and families that have family members that attend this program! Thanks for all you have done for my amazing Son Zachary Sonnentag! I'll never be able to thank you enough! Forever grateful for this amazing program!
    Sherri Sonnentag
    Parent

Not Sure What to Expect?

Read through our dedicated page to get a better idea of what everyday life is like at the Challenge Academy.

Learn More

Request a Presentation

Our Admissions and Outreach departments would love to provide an in-person presentation at your school or other organization.

Read More

Eight Core Components

Built into the Academy are Eight Core Components.These are the areas that Cadets will actively work on improving while at the Academy.

Academic Excellence
Academic Excellence prepares Cadets to improve their attitude toward learning while raising the expectations for what they can achieve. During the Residential Phase, all Cadets receive a full schedule of academic classes in preparation for General Educational Development (GED) testing, for earning a high school diploma, or for reentry to high school. In all cases, however, Cadets strive for increases in math performance and reading comprehension as evaluated by improving Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) scores in the Residential Phase.

Mastery of this component unquestionably prepares Cadets for future academic success, and translates into all areas of their growth. A strong sense of academic success is important for enabling lifelong learning skills and personal growth. The task completed in the Academic Excellence core component is to ‘Improve academic achievement.’

The task is measured by:

  • TABE improvement
  • Credit recovery
  • GED/HSED and/or high school diploma
Physical Fitness
Mastery of the Physical Fitness core component is an outward sign of a Cadet’s inward progress, and a set of tools that can ensure a lifetime of improved quality of life and healthy habits. In addition to the opportunity to earn a variety of fitness awards, the tasks completed in the Physical Fitness core component are:

  • Participate in physical fitness training and testing
  • Fitness Gram® Fitness Test
Leadership/Followership
Leadership/Followership is a key point of emphasis in the development of adolescents in the Challenge program.

Cadets immersed in a group-living environment demonstrate mastery of this component as they develop and define moral standards, apply ethical decisions, and collaborate with their peers.

Tasks completed in the Leadership/Followership core component are:

  • Perform basic military customs and courtesies
  • Define and recognize leadership skills, traits, dimensions, and components
  • Employ leadership skills in accordance with Army FM 6-22, “Army Leadership” while performing in a leadership position
  • Employ followership skills
Responsible Citizenship
Responsible Citizenship ensures each Cadet acquires the knowledge to fully appreciate and participate in the political and governmental systems of the United States. This core component provides a strong understanding of individual rights and responsibilities given to each member of our society. These skills utilize experiential learning to effectively model classroom, community, and student government behaviors.

Mastery of this component will allow each Challenge Cadet to understand his or her personal role in the success of the community and of American society. It demystifies the role and power of government, and empowers Cadets to participate in ways that were previously inaccessible to them.

Tasks completed in the Responsible Citizenship core component are:
  • Register for Selective Service, if eligible
  • Register to vote, if eligible
  • Communicate a basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution, government and citizenship
  • Participate in the democratic process
Job Skills
Through Job Skills, Cadets have an opportunity to explore and investigate future career paths, career assessment and interest inventories, job skills orientation and awareness, and actual training in area vocational centers (where available). Cadets also learn how to leverage their growth in other core component areas to understand what it means to be a productive, valuable employee in the marketplace.

Mastery of this component equips Cadets with the understanding to develop and maintain a professional resume, complete job applications, and prepare for and excel in job interviews. Tasks completed in the Job Skills core component are:

  • Complete the ASVAB and participate in a vocational interpretation
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills required to seek and obtain employment:
  • Acquire job search skills
  • Complete a job application
  • Complete a résumé
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of work ethics
  • Complete a mock job interview
  • Explore knowledge and skills required to pursue future educational opportunities, to include educational alternatives, institutions and financial aid
Service to Community
Cadets must perform a minimum of forty hours of qualifying service to the community to successfully complete this core component. By working to achieve a service to the community goal, both individually and in teams, Cadets learn the value of their labor while directly experiencing the difference they can make in the lives of those around them. At the same time, Cadets learn to understand that as members of the community themselves, they are creating improvements in their own lives because they also benefit from a stronger community. Cadets are also exposed to a wide variety of opportunities that can manifest themselves as future career and vocational paths.

Mastery of this component allows Cadets to feel ownership in their community and accountability to their peers and themselves.

Tasks completed in the Service to the Community core component are:
  • Describe the importance and value of a service to the community and/or conservation project
  • Complete a minimum of forty hours of service to the community/conservation projects
Health and Hygiene
Health and Hygiene serves the important purpose of blending the Cadet’s mental well-being with improved physical condition and care. This core component broadens Cadets’ exposure and understanding of substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and behaviors that can have long-term consequences for their personal physical and emotional well-being. Cadets further make the connections between physical and emotional health by understanding how nutrition, attitude, and lifestyles intersect in the complete person.

Mastery of this component improves a Cadet’s physical and emotional state, and has a profound effect his or her decisions, behavior, and overall outlook.

Tasks completed in the Health and Hygiene core component are:
  • Recall the adverse effects of the abuse and available treatment resources for ATOD (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs)
  • Recall healthy sexual practices, human sexuality, family planning, and related responsibilities
  • Recall the methods and practices used by individuals to prevent the spread of communicable diseases including STDs, HIV/AIDS, and other bloodborne pathogens
  • Recall the importance of nutrition in the daily diet for personal well-being
Life Coping Skills
Life-Coping Skills is another critical dimension for Cadets as they strive for increased self-esteem and self-discipline. Because Cadets have the opportunity to combine classroom and residential skills within a cohesive group environment, the successful skills of the entire group are patterned on the individual. This transfer of stability and consistency enables individual Cadets to model positive and effective behaviors for handling their emotions, ordering their personal lives and finances, and managing stress and unpredictability in other unforeseen circumstances.

Mastery of this component builds resilience and confidence in Cadets, and equips them to meet future obstacles and successes alike.

Tasks completed in the Life-Coping Skills core component are:
  • Understand personal finance
  • Demonstrate basic banking (savings and checking account management) skills
  • Demonstrate the importance of maintaining a good credit record
  • Demonstrate how to prepare and manage a personal budget
  • Recognize various emotions and stressors, and identify coping strategies
  • Recognize conflict resolution strategies