Eligibility

We have classes every January and July. This is tuition-free program. Room and board and books are also provided without charge. There is no cost to the family other than a few essential items that cadets must bring with them (see Shopping List).

Prospective Cadet Requirements

VIEW THE MAP TO SEE WHAT ACADEMY YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR

Residence Requirements

Youth Challenge Map, California

We have three National Guard Youth ChalleNGe academies in the State of California. Which academy you apply to is determined by the county you reside in.

Grizzly Youth Academy serves only these counties in California: SANTA CRUZ, SANTA CLARA, MERCED, MADERA, FRESNO, MONTEREY, SAN BENITO, KINGS, TULARE, INYO, SAN LUIS OBISPO, KERN, SANTA BARBARA, and VENTURA, as well as the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale.

To be accepted into Grizzly Academy, prospective cadets must be:

  • Committed to making a change in their life.
  • 16 to 18 years of age on the first day of admission.
  • A citizen or legal resident of the United States and resident of California.
  • A high school drop-out or at risk of dropping out or seriously behind in credits.
  • Voluntary (student’s decision to attend).
  • Physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of completing the program.
  • Drug Free: Students will be drug tested on the first day of school. Those who fail this test will be sent home.
  • No felony adjudications or felony convictions, awaiting trial, or currently in trial proceedings. We can accept those with misdemeanors.

Discovery ChalleNGe Academy serves only these counties in California: MONO, MARIPOSA, STANISLAUS, ALAMEDA, SAN MATEO, SAN JOAQUIN, CALAVERAS, TUOLUMNE, ALPINE, AMADOR, CONTRA COSTA, SACRAMENTO, SOLANO, MARIN, EL DORADO, YOLO, NAPA, SONOMA, LAKE, MENDOCINO, COLUSA, SUTTER, YUBA, PLACER, NEVADA, SIERRA, PLUMAS, BUTTE, GLEN, TEHAMA, LASSEN, SHASTA, TRINITY, HUMBOLDT, DEL NORTE, SISKIYOU, MODOC, and SAN FRANCISCO.

Sunburst Youth Academy serves only these counties in California: LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO, and IMPERIAL.