Washington Youth Academy

Our Partners The State of Washington National Guard Youth Challenge Program Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bremerton School District

There are currently 35 Programs in 29 States For over 20 years, the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program has been changing the lives of over 120,000 young men and women. The Washington Youth Academy opened its doors in 2009 and has graduated over 1200 students!

Your Admissions Specialist Northern Washington Kasie Roach 360-473-2629 kassondra.roach@mil.wa.gov Southern Washington Will Cruz 360-473-2617 william.cruz@mil.wa.gov

Eligibility Requirements Voluntary – You have to want to be here! 16-18 Years old on the first day of class. At risk of dropping out of high school. Not awaiting sentencing, under indictment, charged or convicted of a felony. Not on parole or probation for anything other than juvenile offenses. Legally residing in the U.S.A. and Washington State. Drug free upon enrollment and throughout the program.

The Washington Youth Academy is NOT: A juvenile detention center. A military recruiting program. A hospital or medical treatment facility. A mental health, alcohol or drug treatment center.

Three Phase Program Post Residential 52 Weeks ChalleNGe 20 Weeks Acclimation 2 Weeks 2 week Acclimation Period– Goal: Identify those students that have the desire and discipline to complete the program. 20 week ChalleNGe Phase– Goal: Uses a structured quasi-military environment that emphasizes self- discipline and personal responsibility. 52 week Post-Residential Phase– Goal: using a one-on-one mentoring relationship, student progress is tracked for one year to provide advice, guidance, and support.

Acclimation Phase First Two Weeks (14 Days) 16 Hour Days (5:00AM-9:00PM) Physical Training Twice A Day Drill and Ceremonies Team Building Mentally and Physically Challenging

ChalleNGe Phase

ChalleNGe Phase Schedule 0500 Wake-up 0515-0645 Physical Training (PT) 0645-0730 Hygiene/Barracks Maintenance 0730-0815 Breakfast 0815-1115 Academic Instruction 1115-1200 Lunch 1200-1445 Academic Instruction 1450-1545 Guided Instruction 1600-1610 Formation/Cadet Enrichment 1730-1815 Dinner/Personal Time/Mail Call 1830-1945 Small Unit Training/Study Time 1945-2015 Hygiene/Snack 2015-2045 Evening Details 2100 Lights Out The ChalleNGe Phase begins your academic time here at the Washington Youth Academy.

Platoons = Diversity Will Learn to Become ONE TEAM! Thirty-Five to Fifty Cadets per Platoon From All Over The State of Washington Different Backgrounds Different Beliefs Different Experiences… Will Learn to Become ONE TEAM!

8 Core Components Physical Fitness Life Coping Skills Leadership/Followership Responsible Citizenship Job Skills Health and Hygiene Service to Community Academic Excellence

Physical Fitness Daily physical fitness—calisthenics, jogging, hiking, intramural sports, etc. Fitness program based on national standards established by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports—the President’s Challenge (www.presidentschallenge.org). Expectation—cadet’s will be in the best shape of their life…and hopefully committed to staying that way!

Life Coping Skills Prepares the student for independent living, with a focus on self-awareness and self-discipline Personal financial management Conflict resolution Anger management Goal setting and achievement

Leadership & Followership Lessons/discussions on value-based leadership. Focus on positive, moral, and ethical standards as a leader and/or follower in any role—school, job, citizen. Opportunities to serve in cadet leadership roles in large and small group situations. Performance evaluated, feedback provided by WYA staff.

Responsible Citizenship Understand federal, state, and local systems of government—structure and processes. Individual rights and responsibilities as a citizen and registered voter. Participate in cadet government. How to be a positive, contributing member of the community.

Job Skills Job search skills—where/how to look for jobs, preparing applications, resumes, and interview skills. Education options—considering alternatives, selecting a school, applications, financial aid. Career options—vocational, service sector, public sector, military service. Work ethics—being a good employee and co-worker.

Health & Hygiene Good health, hygiene, and nutrition practices. Substance abuse awareness and prevention. Safe lifestyle choices—human sexuality, communicable diseases, physical and emotional effects of their decisions. Family planning.

Service to Community Cadets must complete a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to the community projects or conservation projects. Work as individual, in small group, or large group. Projects scheduled on Friday and/or Saturday.

Academic Excellence Recover 8 high school credits to return to school to graduate. Over 99% of Cadets earned all 8 credits in 2012. 1% still earned 6! H.S. Equivalency – GED leading to: Voc-Tech School, Community College, Employment, Military Service

~Dorm Life~ 50 Cadets per Floor (Open Bay) Dorm Details (Cleaning) Letter Writing/Journal Writing Personal Hygiene 9:00 PM Lights Out

The Benefits of a High School Diploma High school graduates earn an average of $503,000 more than drop outs over the course of their working lifetime (until age 65). The military no longer accepts the GED.

Post-Residential Phase & Mentor Support 12-month Post-Residential Mentoring Relationship. “Friendly Matches” – Mentor chosen by student prior to attending the Washington Youth Academy. Mentors are screened & trained by WYA RPM Staff. Provide an ongoing supportive adult for encouragement, guidance, a listening ear, and a connection to WYA during Post-Residential Phase.

Mentor Eligibility Must be same gender as youth. Should be at least 25 years old. Should live within reasonable distance of where the youth will live after the Residential Phase (within 30 minutes). Must NOT be a member of the family, aunt, uncle, parent’s significant other nor should they have ever shared the same residence as the youth. Must consent to criminal history background check (free of any sex crimes; free of felonies, DUI’s, alcohol or substance abuse within the last seven years). Have a desire to volunteer some time for youth and the Washington Youth Academy.

Mentoring Commitment Attend a 4-hour training/orientation (once). Match with your student at the program site or state capital (once). Maintain weekly contact for the entire mentoring relationship (including 4 hours of face-to-face contact each month during the Post Residential Phase). Maintain faithful communication with your assigned Youth Mentor Advocate (monthly).

Our Goal is to support youth in their positive choices to make a better future for themselves! Dream. Believe. Achieve.