A New World
The Challenge Academy will probably be like nothing you've experienced before. You may be away from your family for the first time. You'll need to give yourself time to adjust, and be willing to stay resilient through the first two weeks.
Barracks1
You'll share a military style barracks with 20-30 other teenagers from all over the state.
Barracks2
You'll move together as a unit, learning and growing as an individual and as a team.
Barracks3
You'll be under the direction of staff at all times and will be expected to follow the Disciplinary Code. Adjusting to the rules and having to ask permission for things can be frustrating at first.
You'll be living on base at Fort McCoy. Seeing Blackhawk helicopters will become a regular thing.
Your morning hygiene routine will include a nice, clean shave.
Shed what's been holding you back. Male Cadets get buzzed. Your hair will grow back, the opportunity to start over won't come around again.
The adjustment period will be hard at first, but it's worth it.
You'll be away from your family for 22 weeks. You'll miss them, and they'll miss you. The sacrifice will be worth the pain.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner chow will help break up the day.
3 square meals a day and water will fuel your growth.
No cell phones, no TV, no social media, none of the usual drama. It's time to focus on you.
Barracks Life
You'll be a part of a platoon and share a barracks, just like in the military. You'll be responsible for keeping your personal area clean and orderly.
Every day you'll be making your bed (your bunk), folding your clothes, and keeping your area neat. Ever done your own laundry?
Every morning begins at 0520 (5:20 am) with "Toe the line!". You get used to getting up early.
You'll be sharing space with your Platoon mates. There will be some disagreements, but just like with a brother or sister, you get past it.
Your Platoon will be your family for five and a half months.
A Family Unit
You'll be spending every day with your Platoon mates. It'll take a bit of time to adjust to each others' personalities, but overcoming shared challenges together forms strong bonds.
You'll be together with your Platoon through thick and thin, in good times and bad.
Experience the joy of victory, together.
Look at those smiles!
Strong mind, strong you.
You'll be making connections with guys and girls over the state. Learning from each other will be a key part of your growth.
Your brothers and sisters in the Platoon are all pulling toward the same goal, self-improvement.
Hard work can feel good!
You'll work as an individual and as part of a team to overcome your obstacles.
You'll make lasting memories.
Our Program Works
Eligibility Criteria
- Males and Females 16 - 18.
- Expelled, dropped out, not attending, or over one year behind in credits.
- Not currently on parole or adult probation (juvenile supervision/probation is OK).
- Never charged, indicted, or convicted of a felony (as a juvenile or an adult).
- A citizen or legal resident of the United States and resident of Wisconsin.
- Voluntary—no court orders or placements.
Application Process
- Fill out the application. You can request an application be mailed/emailed/faxed to you by calling (608) 269-4605 or you can go to our website (www.challengeacademy.org) and download the application form. Once downloaded, the form can be simply printed or you can use Adobe Reader® to fill in the form electronically; then save, print, sign and send in.
- Send in the Application along with supporting documents to the Academy. If you have completed the first two pages of the application and have the school verification form complete with transcripts, we recommend you send them in even before the rest of the application is complete in order to begin the process and get you scheduled for Orientation. Email: [email protected] Fax: (608) 269-9001 Mail: Admissions 749 E 12th Avenue Fort McCoy, WI 54656
- Within 1-2 business days of receipt by the Academy of your application, it will be reviewed for eligibility and a letter will be mailed/emailed back to you. I recommend listing a valid email address when you submit the application in order to speed the correspondence time. You will also receive a list with any missing/needed documentation. Make sure to watch your email’s SPAM folder as well.
- Attend an Orientation at Fort McCoy Bring all of the missing documentation with you to the orientation to complete your application packet. If you are struggling to find a mentor, we will talk more about finding one at Orientation.
- After attending the Orientation, decide if the program is something that you want to commit to, and call your Admissions Counselor at (608) 269-4605 to let them know what your decision is.
- Acceptance will begin December (for January class) or June (for July class) and continue until all available slots are filled based on application completeness and time of application submittal.
- After receiving your Acceptance Packet, report to the location specified in your reporting instructions on assigned date in January or July.
Unique Experiences
There could be other opportunities for you to finish high school, but no where else will you get to experience everything the Challenge Academy has to offer.
You'll bike 20 miles on local trails, lunch included!
Smores are complimentary.
You'll complete a 10 mile Honor Road March and earn your dog tags.
You'll get to camp out with your Platoon. Maybe you can work the grill?
Compete in CRC events against other Platoons.
Stand tall, and proud.
Our Drill Team participates in events all over the state.
Front row at the playoffs!
You may just be a part of the Color Guard and be court side at a Bucks game.
Represent our award-winning Drill Team.
Learn about the trades with on-site tours and presentations.
This is the way to to the top.
Tour our beautiful state Capitol.
You'll be First-Aid certified in no time.
A little bit scary, but a lotta bit cool.
Just hanging out...
Complete a high ropes course. Don't worry, your attached to a harness so you're 100% safe.
How cool does that look?
Compete in Archery and other events. You can earn personal awards and help your Platoon earn streamers.
Your Mentor will be there to help guide you after you graduate.
You'll get a number of presentations, including ones for personal development, colleges, military recruiters, etc.
You'll get the chance to rappel a 12ft, 33ft, and 55ft wall and earn your Platoon a streamer.
Learn how to traverse a low ropes course.
Physical Exercise
Every Friday has a Corps run where all the Cadets run together while calling out cadences, just like the movies.
You'll be in the best shape of your life by the time you graduate.
Push ups will become a regular companion. Don't worry, you start off with just 5 at a time.
Run Forrest, Run!
Every morning will have some form of PT (Physical Training). You get used to it.
If you're already in good shape, you'll be able to complete the CAPFT (Physical Fitness Test) and the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. You'll earn patches for each if you can make the cut.
By the end of the 22 weeks, you'll be able to complete a 5 mile run. Don't worry if you're not in shape, we start slow so you can adjust.
A Sense of Pride
How often have you been told you'll never succeed? When was the last time you were truly proud of yourself? The Academy is the place to change the way you see yourself and to prove to those around you that you can achieve great things.
Turn the ship around. You're doing this for yourself, but also for your family and those who love you. The sense of pride and self-worth you'll gain here is priceless.
Everything you'll learn will prepare you to take your HSED. We have excellent teachers who'll help get the best of you.
Learn what it feels like to be in a school environment where you can succeed. You'll actually enjoy school.
Did you ever think you could graduate with honors? There's a good chance you can here.
Overcoming your fears--of heights, of being away from home, of failure or success--feels so good.
Tears of joy. It means a lot because you accomplished something hard.
This moment is the start of a new world for you. Just 22 weeks away.
In 22 weeks, you'll have made yourself and your family proud.
You'll perform over 40 hours of service to the community (community service is a punishment, service to the community is giving back).
Connect with something bigger than yourself.
You'll gain a sense of pride, because you're able to push yourself to grow.