The Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) provides a structured environment that helps teenagers overcome common challenges. The program helps them focus on their academic progress, emotional well-being, and physical health. Our voluntary program provides cadets with a 22-week experience aimed at guiding them towards a successful transition into adulthood. Challenge empowers participants, whom we call cadets, to embrace responsibility, achievement and positive behavior. It instills self-confidence, fosters ambition and increases opportunities through job skills training, service to the community, and leadership.

National Guard Youth Challenge is the only program of its kind to provide graduates with a personal mentor for one year after graduation to help the transition into adulthood. 

Safe and structured environment: Cadets improve their academic standing in a secure setting.

Coaching and mentorship: We help cadets develop essential study skills, life skills, and career readiness.

Career certifications: Opportunities to earn basic certifications in areas like fist aid and CPR. 

Tools for long-term success: Cadets gain the self-discipline needed to thrive as productive citizens.

Post-residency planning: We guide cadets in planning for their next steps, whether in continued education or employment.

Holistic development: We focus on improving cadets' academic, physical, and emotional skill sets. 

A multi-year study by RAND Corporation, on behalf of the Department of Defense, has found that the program participants achieve impressive results in educational attainment and employment. Key findings of that study include: GED or high school diploma attainment increased by 29%; college attendance increased by 86%; annual earnings increased by 20%.

According to RAND's cost-benefit analysis, every government dollar invested in Youth Challenge Programs yields $2.66 in benefits – a return on investment of 166%. This return is substantially higher than other rigorously evaluated social programs that target disadvantaged youth. 

Additionally, cadets at the academy have performed more than 220,982 cumulative volunteer-hours in support of service to community projects (a CORE component) throughout the state since the program's inception in 1999. Calculated at the current minimum wage, they have contributed roughly $1,557,191 to Montana's economy.

Youth Challenge is unmatched in its effectiveness in helping young people prepare for the future.