CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. -- The Wyoming National Guard's Cowboy ChalleNGe Academy, previously known as the Wyoming Youth ChalleNGe Program, designed to help high school dropouts get their lives back on track, still has openings for students in its next class, Oct. 7, at the program's campus, on the Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.
The ChalleNGe program provides troubled teens with a regimented 5 1/2 month in-residence program, helping them to reclaim their lives and develop the skills they need to be successful. Core components of the program include academics, citizenship, life-coping skills, civic service, leadership and physical fitness.
Cadets must be between 16-18 years old, and cannot be on probation or ordered to attend by the court. All cadets enter ChalleNGe voluntarily and can leave the program at any time.
This class also marks the first time ChalleNGe has run two classes simultaneously.
"Overlapping classes allows us to help more Wyoming teenagers who are looking for education, support, safety and mentoring," said Ed Meyer, Wyoming Cowboy ChalleNGe director. "Due to the support from Gov. Matt Mead and the state legislature, WCCA will operate four classes per year instead of the normal two."
The cadets of Class 15 will remain separate from the 27 cadets in Class 14, which began in July. Each class will have separate sleeping quarters and separate classes.
For information about the Wyoming Cowboy ChalleNGe Academy, cadet applications, or information on becoming a mentor, visit the website at
http://www.ngycp.org/state/wy or call the program at 307-836-7500.
Media planning on covering the program, must contact the Wyoming National Guard public affairs office at 307-772-5040 to gain entry to the Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center.