Lincoln’s Challenge Academy is operating the largest Youth Challenge Program with 800 graduates yearly. It started in 1993 with a goal of improving the employability and life coping skills of a dropout from high school through the use of a military model. It has succeeded in providing an alternative for these young people who just need a structured and intensive environment in order to excel.

The academy has eight core objectives established by the National Guard Bureau as a benchmark for each participant who graduates from the Youth Challenge Program:

• Academic Excellence: The participant must obtain a GED and/or increase his educational grade level in order to obtain legitimate employment.
• Job Skills: The participant must demonstrate skills and knowledge in order to search, get, and maintain employment. He must complete the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery. In the academy, he is taught how to construct a resume, and how to respond to job advertisements. He will also learn interviewing skills while in the program.
• Physical Fitness: The participant also improves his physical fitness through the physical fitness training scheduled regularly.
• Followership/Leadership: The participant demonstrates ethical and moral leadership skills, loyalty, good citizen values, honesty, and respect for himself and others.
• Nutrition, Health and Sex Education: The participant must possess an understanding of the effects of substance abuse on his well being and physical health. He is taught about the significance of good health, sexually transmitted diseases, and proper nutrition.
• Life Coping Skills: The participant demonstrates personal coping strategies, competence to set and accomplish goals, conflict resolution strategies, and personal management and basic economics.
• Responsible Citizenship: The participant must possess an understanding of the US Government and Constitution, and voting and election process.
• Community Service: The participant possesses an understanding of his role as a member of the community and his duty to help those in need.

The Lincoln’s Challenge Academy Program

The program consists of two parts: the resident phase and the post resident phase. In the resident phase, a participant will spend 5 ½ months in Rantoul, Illinois at the Lincoln’s Challenge Academy where he will spend a long day in classroom instruction and physical training. Also, he is required to finish 40 hours of community service. He is also tasked with the upkeep of training facilities and living quarters. A participant receives $10 weekly stipend for his personal needs. Clothing, bedding and meals are all provided by the academy.

In the post resident phase, the participant has already graduated from the program and he goes back to his community to work or continue his education. During the one year cycle of post resident phase, the participant can receive up to $1,000 educational scholarship and $2,200 stipend. A mentor is assigned to each participant who will assist him in achieving his goals which were set in the participant’s Life Plan. The Life Plan is a list of educational and vocational goals which he must accomplish during this phase.

http://www.ngycp.org/site/state/il/

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Originally posted 2011-12-09 21:52:43.

New Summit Academy is a personal growth, independent, and year-round boarding school for teenage boys. It is situated in a mountain town in Costa Rica and offers the best environment for adventurous experiential education, interesting college preparatory academics, and personal insight building. New Summit caters to teenage boys from grades 9 to 12 and ages 15 to 18. The Academy aims to help participants create healthier relationships, improve motivation in goal setting, and become better global citizens.

Teenage boys who come to the academy may have one or more of the following problems:

• Depression and/or anxiety
• Confidence and self-esteem
• Engagement and learning motivation
• Slower processing
• Unhealthy skills in coping which include substance abuse or isolation
• Parent-child conflict
• Awkwardness or social anxiety
• Attachment, adoption or identity
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Different style in learning
• Attention difficulties
• Sense of entitlement
• Oppositional attitude

Participants who finish the program are expected to possess the following strengths:

• Goal of entering college
• Desire to improve environment and relationships
• Intelligent
• Technology savvy
• Creative
• Passion about an interest
• Musical and/or artistic
• Athletic and active
• Empathetic and introspective
• Accountable for decisions
• Interested in having healthier coping mechanisms

The New Summit Academy Program

A participant enrolled into the program has his own Master Goal Plan, Individualized Goal Plan, and transcript evaluation, which are created by the New Summit experienced staff to outline the participant’s program goals. The Master Goal Plan contains information about the participant’s application documents, transcripts, testing, and previous placement which serve as the basis for indicators of success, interventions, and specific goals.

The Individual Goal Plan has a team which includes a therapist, an experiential educator mentor, and a teacher who set the participant goals, indicators of success, steps in reaching the goal, and recommendation in order to support the participant. The plan is mapped at the start of each school’s quarter and is updated or revised when the participant goes to an Aventura trip. By keeping an Individual Goal Plan, a participant is empowered to set goals and monitor himself which are very helpful in the teenage boy’s personal growth process.

Participants go into and experiential education personal ecology (AVENTURAS) treks which challenge them to take healthy risks which they have not done before. In these treks, the participants learnt to help, empathize, and support each other. Participants take a four-to-six-day Costa Rican adventure in one of the following Aventuras treks: Golfo Dulce Sea Kayaking Trek; Corcovado National Park Camping and Hiking Trek; Rafting, Camping, Hiking, Cloud Forest Trek; Community Service Aventura; or Mount Chirripo Climbing Trek. Participants also go on recreational Aventuras like fishing, hiking to check out a shaman’s house, scuba-diving trip, or turtle-saving project.

Before a participant can graduate from the academy, he must join in the Transition Program for three months. The program has individualized work sessions and transition-focused therapeutic groups. The participant lives in the Transition House with house parents so that he can practice the skills learned at New Summit like organizing social events, cooking and weekly meal planning, independent time  management, mentoring new participants, budgeting, and technology management.

http://www.newsummitacademy.com

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Originally posted 2011-12-08 07:37:41.

What is Gatehouse Academy?

Gatehouse Academy is a drug rehab and addiction treatment center for young adults from 17 to 28 years of age. These youths live in the Gatehouse facilities and given formalized education while being treated for their dual diagnosis disorders and chemical dependency. They are taught work ethic, social skills, life skills, accountability, and responsibility while receiving clinical and therapeutic services. The rehab centers provide residential, family communication, education, and clinical support to its residents/patients. The facilities are located in Wickenburg, Arizona.

The Gatehouse Academy Program

Gatehouse Academy integrates education in the drug rehab and addiction treatment process. At the academy, education is required for the successful completion of the process. Residents earn college level credits, obtain their GED or finish high school while inside the academy. They are taught aspects of Responsible Recovery in order to start a wish to be self-supporting, successful individual.

Gatehouse’s Life Skills Infusion Curriculum provides the residents the required tools to change back to life triumphantly by teaching them concepts of balancing their schedule, being active, healthy eating, work ethic, and budgeting. The academy provides various modalities of Therapy. It has a full Clinical Staff to support the dual diagnosis requirements of each resident. It is an intensive and well structured positive peer culture where the youths learn accountability and leadership.

Gatehouse Academy offer cool activities like horseback riding, swimming, baseball, basketball, art classes, camping, shopping, acting classes, recovery conferences, yoga classes, karate classes, music classes, weightlifting, life-skills education, and sporting events.

http://www.gatehouseacademy.com/

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Originally posted 2011-11-19 14:10:13.

Pine Forge Academy is situated in Pine Forge, Pennsylvania and serves students from grades 9 to 12. It is a co-ed boarding school and is operated and owned by the Allegheny East Conference Corporation of 7^th Day Adventists. The academy maintains high academic standards where students grow to become independent and articulate thinker.

Historically, the Pine Forge Academy is an African-American boarding school which began in September 9, 1946. The academy is committed to offer a Christ-centered curriculum in a caring and safe environment in order to prepare the students socially, physically, intellectually, and spiritually for the service of man and God.

Pine Forge Academy Program

The Pine Forge Academy curriculum teaches students to develop and to think a lifelong love of learning. Each student learns Science, Physical Education, Mathematics, Language Arts, History, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Business, Bible, and Applied Arts. Each department aims to teach the students to analyze and organize information, to think critically, to write with confidence, to speak competently, to nurture their innate creativity and curiosity, and to observe and listen with acuity.

Pine Forge Academy also provides many specialty certificates for those students who exhibit outstanding achievement and aptitude in Business, Mathematics, Music, Science, Technology, English, and History.

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Originally posted 2011-12-04 00:00:23.

Sequel TSI is a leader in youth services which is recognized all over the United States of America as the premier education and therapy provider to struggling adolescents who have learning, behavioral, and emotional issues. It aims to prepare both adolescents and their families to have fulfilling and responsible lives by providing them with means to learn behavioral accountability and by offering education and mentoring within a dynamic, structured, and safe environment.

Sequel TSI accepts participants who have behavioral problems like defying authorities and breaking rules; lacking proper communication abilities; deteriorating or exceptionally poor grades; lacking skills in relationship-building; endangering his/her personal well-being; and low self-esteem. At Sequel TSI, the experienced staff helps at-risk teenagers overcome any unconstructive actions and negative feelings they may have in order to achieve long-term results.

The Sequel Three Springs of Indiana Program

The Sequel TSI program offers both a boarding school and outdoor therapeutic program for troubled teens. Auldern Academy, a private boarding school, caters to adolescents who are in grades 9 to 12 by providing college preparatory learning. The kids learn to develop qualities and skills needed for improved family relations, personal growth, and academic success. Paint Rock Valley, on the other hand, is Sequel TSI’s therapeutic outdoor residential program which aims to provide personal, structure and therapeutic attention to the teenagers in order for them to change positively. For the outdoor program, the kids live cottages on a pristine wooded area which has wildlife, streams, and mountains.

http://www.sequelyouthservices.com/

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Originally posted 2011-12-13 07:37:42.

Overachieving Children May Be Ostracized By Their Peers

Children who do very well inside and outside the classroom may not fit in with their peers. These children may also be a target for bullying. Gifted children typically enjoy going to school, but they may be afraid to work up to their full potential because they want to fit in with the other children.

Overachieving Children May Get Frustrated Easily

Mistakes are a part of childhood. Many children can very easily brush off their mistakes and move forward. However, an overachieving child may have a difficult time getting over a mistake. Overachieving children may also fear disappointing their parents and teachers. This can be a major source of stress.

You May Be Setting Your Child Up for Failure

Psychologists argue that parents who push their child too hard are setting him or her up for failure. Madeline Levine is a psychologist and author of the book entitled Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Success. In the book, Levine states that when children are only focused on achieving success, they are very likely to become stressed, frustrated and depressed.

Bryan Caplan is a father of three and author of the book Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids: Why Being A Parent Is Less Work And More Fun Than You Think. Caplan argues that a child’s success later in life is not necessarily influenced by his or her parent’s well-intentioned efforts. He also states that parents set their children up for failure by pushing them to be successful and shielding them from failure.

Additionally, David Arthur Code, author of the book Kids Pick Up on Everything, has stated that children who are shielded from failure often fail when they become adults.

There is nothing wrong with expecting more out of your children, but you do not want to set the bar too high because you may be frustrating them and setting them up for failure. Your children may also have trouble fitting in at school if the bar is set too high.

*This is an informational article about parenting. If you would like to find more resources that can help you, then you should visit http://www.thefamilycompass.com/.*

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The Fort Gordon Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a no-nonsense, demanding, and tough approach to the participant’s future success. Its main goal is to assist at-risk youth with life and academic skills training which aim to improve his/her employment potential and to create a productive citizenry. The academy is situated in Brems Barracks in Fort Gordon in Georgia. The program lasts for 5.5 months with a 12-month post residential program for its participant. The program starts in March and September. Approximately 425 participants benefit from the program yearly.

Participants must be at 16 – 18 years old to be accepted in the program. They are high school dropouts who are legal residents or citizens of the state of Georgia in the United States of America. They are also underemployed or unemployed with no illegal drugs or court/legal system involvements.

The Fort Gordon Youth ChalleNGe Academy Program

The program aims to instill the 8 core concepts in each participant. Only those participants who have exhibited mastery in all 8 concepts are allowed to graduate from the 5.5-month residential phase.

• Academic Excellence: Each participant is expected to earn his/her GED while in the program. He/she will have mastery in math, social studies, essay/writing skills, science, and arts and literature. Evaluation of educational progress and performance consists of passing the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
• Job Skills: After the program, the participant is expected to possess the necessary skills in conducting job searches in order to improve his/her position in the society. He/she must have learned how to conduct himself/herself in a job interview, how to fill up job applications, and how to write a resume.
• Life Coping Skills: The participant acquires a better understanding how his/her desires, needs, and attitudes can motivate him/her as citizens, as individuals, and as members of the academy. He/she learns anger management, gender stereotyping, parenting, substance abuse, stress management, budgeting, and team building skills.
• Health & Hygiene: The participant learns hygiene and health habits in order to promote his/her physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
• Service to the Community: The participant develops knowledge of what he/she will gain by volunteering to community agencies and projects.
• Responsible Citizenship: The participant understands what he/she must to support his/her community. Honor code, violence prevention, cultural awareness, and justice are taught in the program.
• Leadership and Followership: The participant acquires the necessary skills to be a good leader, good follower, and an esteemed member of the community.
• Physical Fitness: The participant learns the value of physical fitness training and commits to it in order to improve his/her mental, physical, and emotional well being.

http://www.ngycp.org/site/state/gafg/

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Originally posted 2011-12-11 21:49:22.

Emerge integrates student support services, advocacy, mentoring, and coaching into the students’ college experience. It has expertise and specialization in transitional services and advising families who are facing challenges with their young adults’ behavioral, emotional, and learning difficulties. Each program is highly individualized and each component targets specific goals and needs. Located in Boise, Idaho, the Emerge experience offers different vocational, internship, and volunteer options within the area. Each student can join the program anytime. Private dorms are provided for students near Boise State University.

The Emerge Distance Coaching Model, on the other hand, provides Emerge services in the student’s locality. The staff visits the student’s campus in order to understand the challenges the student is facing and provide possible solutions. Coaching sessions are based on the individualized pattern and plan.

Emerge accepts young adults who have behaviors and challenges such as learning differences; family conflict; lack of self-esteem; alcohol/drug experimentation; low self-esteem; relationship problems; emotional immaturity; ADD/ADHD; executive functioning issues; depression; anxiety; lack of motivation; childhood trauma; and non-verbal learning difficulties.

A personal mentor-educator is assigned to each college student to guarantee a positive learning experience and progress. Examples of support include college experience orientation; content area tutoring; writing and reading skills; critical thinking; time and organization management;  on-going parental support and orientation; continuous personalized development of study skills and learning strategies; coordination of housing within the community; liaison with referral professionals; mentoring and coaching; academic and personal growth advising; college survival strategies; test taking skills and strategies; advocacy support and training; academic monitoring and management; continuous career advising and exploring; hope and empowerment for discouraged students; community referral management; coordination with college services; and advance training in using approved accommodations for those students who qualify under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

 The Emerge College Success Program

Emerge offers two different programs for college students: College Success Program in Boise, and Global College Success Coaching. For the College Success Program in Boise, Idaho, students can attend College of West Idaho, Boise State University or other colleges and universities. With the Emerge College Success Program, the students are empowered with social and academic tools so that they can be successful in a campus environment. Weekly academic sessions and individual mentoring are provided by the Emerge staff. Internship, volunteer, and vocational support are also provided.

The Global College Success Coaching, on the hand, is a distance-coaching program where each college student receives direct and active support as they transition to college. Continuous parental communication, interaction with the student’s peer mentor in the community, direct coaching, advising, and problem solving are just some of the services offered by Emerge to the college student. The program is offered to all problematic college students in the United States of America.

http://www.emergingyoungadults.com/

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Originally posted 2011-12-21 07:38:08.