PENNSYLVANIA — In an uplifting event this Saturday, 23 cadets from the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) graduated from the 22-week residential phase of the program, marking a significant step towards brighter futures.
The KSCA, based at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon County, is a program designed to provide challenged teens with a second chance at completing their basic education. It offers opportunities for leadership, self-discipline, responsibility, and community service while working towards their educational goals.
Throughout the program, the graduating cadets participated in several community service events. These included volunteering at food banks, assisting with the annual March for the Fallen, and maintaining cemetery, park, and military ceremony grounds.
Following their graduation, the cadets will now enter a one-year mentorship phase. This will see them continuing their education, joining the workforce, or entering the military within various communities.
Pennsylvania’s Adjutant General and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, lauded the graduates for their achievements, noting their determination and newfound character.
The KSCA, established in July 2022, is part of the National Guard Bureau’s Youth ChalleNGe Program. It targets 16- to 18-year-old Pennsylvania residents who are struggling academically or lack a clear path to graduation.
The program lasts for 17 ½ months, beginning with 22 weeks of residential training at Fort Indiantown Gap, followed by a year of mentorship in the cadets’ home communities. It is a joint effort between the DMVA, the National Guard Bureau, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
The KSCA is currently accepting applications for its next class, scheduled to start in January. Eligibility requirements and application information can be found on their Eligibility and Admissions webpage.
The program focuses on eight core components: Academic Excellence; Physical Fitness; Leadership/Followership; Responsible Citizenship; Job Skills; Service to the Community; Health and Hygiene; and Life Coping Skills. Graduates often receive high school credits, credentials, or a GED. There is no tuition cost to attend, and meals, housing, uniforms, and school supplies are provided at no charge.
Since its inception in 1993, the ChalleNGe program has seen over 200,000 young people graduate nationwide, making it one of the nation’s most effective programs for targeting at-risk youth.
More details about Pennsylvania’s KSCA can be found at www.dmva.pa.gov/KeystoneStateChallengeAcademy.
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