Steps to Attend Montana Youth Challenge

We are now accepting applications for Class 52, scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Review our eligibility requirements by clicking here.  

Step 2: meet your myca admissions counselor  CLICK TO SCHEDULE A TOUR 

The applicant's location will determine which admissions counselor to work with:

Mark McGinely: (406) 865-0119 mark.mcginley@mycacademy.org
Western Montana: Kalispell, Polson, Missoula, Bitterroot Valley, and Butte.

Yim Sribenjakul : (406) 925-9471 yim.sribenjakul@mycacademy.org
Southwest/Central/North Central Montana: Ennis, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, Havre, Browning, Lewistown, and surrounding areas.

Kevin Roche: (406)925-1562 kevin.roche@mycacademy.org
Eastern Montana: Billings, Glendive, Wolf Point, and surrounding areas.

step 3: Complete the application CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

Apply through our secure, online parent portal. Your login details will be emailed to you for future use.
Once you have submitted your application, the admissions counselor in your area will reach out to schedule an interview.
For the application to be processed: (1) complete the admissions interview and (2) upload copies of the applicant's Birth Certificate and Social Security card to the parent portal, if you haven't already.
The Admissions Department will keep you informed of the application's status. 

step 4: secure a mentor

Mentors are critical for support during the Residential Phase and are a program requirement.
Download, print, and complete a Mentor Application - mailing instructions are included in the document.
If applicants have not found a mentor yet, please still submit the class application and the academy's post residential staff will work with applicants to secure a mentor match.

step 5: Register your student online

Once the application has been approved, the parent or legal guardian will be given a link to fully register this student through our secure, online portal. Students who will be 18 years old at the start of the class, or who have documentation that they are legally emancipated minors, may complete their own registration.

Plan to register as soon as possible and have all required information at hand. Also have the required documents uploaded as pictures or scans on the device being used for registration. Documents include:

Health insurance card - front and back
Immunization records
High school transcript(s)
IEP or 504 accommodations plan (if applicable)

*All students must be fully registered, and all required documents must be provided, in advance of the start of the class. 

Enrolled applicants become program candidates!

step 6: attend an orientation event Class 52 Orientation Details coming fall 2024!

Attendance at one of these events is a great opportunity for candidate-families to connect with our staff and future classmates. We'll be there to answer your questions and help you through every step of the application and registration process. 

step 7: reception day (day one) 

Candidates and their families will report to UMW campus in Dillon for check-in at reception day.
Parents and candidates will begin at our welcome table to learn of their platoon assignment and receive a Parent Handbook.
Next, candidate-families will meet with a staff member to double check a few pieces of information needed to ensure the candidate's safety and success.
From here, families and candidates will say "goodbye" with parents continuing through registration and candidates proceeding to gear check & gear separation. Items not on the
packing list will be returned to families, please do not leave before collecting these belongings.