New Mexico National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy
Eight Core Components

NMYCA empowers Cadets to achieve Academic Excellence through personalized support, credit recovery, and high school equivalency opportunities. Every Cadet is given the chance to succeed and move forward with confidence.

​Cadets explore career options through assessment, planning, and skills training while learning resume writing and interview preparation techniques.

Cadets learn positive leadership qualities and gain character development skills necessary to be a good follower and a valued member of society through understanding of social group roles and responsibilities.

Cadets improve physical fitness through participation in military styled physical training, running, and organized sports designed to encourage a lifelong commitment to physical wellbeing.

Cadets learn strategies and coping mechanisms for managing personal life through participation in classes on anger management, stress management, conflict resolution, goal setting, money management, and personal hygiene.

Cadets gain an understanding of government structure and civic responsibilities while learning the importance of cultural awareness, violence prevention, and how to be a positive community member.

Cadets understand the correlation between good health and hygiene habits and lifelong physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through participation in tobacco education, substance abuse, sexual responsibility, and nutrition courses.

Cadets understand the value of volunteerism and giving back to the community by completing a minimum of 40 hours of service to the community and conservation projects.