National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program: Reengaging High School Dropouts through Residential and Postresidential Phases

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program is a program that targets high school dropouts. It is a 20-week residential program that includes an intensive residential phase with military-style discipline, a comprehensive focus on activities thought to promote positive youth development, and a postresidential program built around mentoring. The program includes eight core components: Leadership/Followership, Responsible Citizenship, Service to Community, Life-Coping Skills, Physical Fitness, Health and Hygiene, Job Skills, and Academic Excellence. The program also includes a postresidential phase that involves a structured mentoring program, where young people nominate their own mentors during the application process, and the staff screen and train the mentors.