Skip to Main Content

Welcome

Life is a ChalleNGe in many ways. Today’s youth have various life experiences, but in the end, so many of the youth realize the same results; they genuinely want more for themselves.

The Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe Academy gives Maryland’s youth the opportunity to improve their lives by providing quality leadership training and proven methods *=to become successful future leaders. The Maryland Freestate ChalleNGe is a premiere leadership academy. Descriptive words such as Tough, *Demanding, No-Nonsense, Structure, Discipline, and Accomplishment are words that define the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy and lead our teenagers to future success!

The purpose of the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy is to provide Maryland’s teenage community with academic resources, job skills, and life skills training coupled with an emphasis on positive values in a structured environment that will give them hope and opportunity to become productive citizens.

The Freestate ChalleNGe Academy (FCA) is a division of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. Established under the authority of both federal and state law in 1993, the FCA is a state-run 17 ½ month residential and post-residential opportunity. The program is designed for teenagers between the ages of 15 and 7 months-18 years.

The Freestate ChalleNGe Academy is located in the Edgewood Area of the Aberdeen Proving Ground (South), in Gunpowder Maryland. It services students from around the State of Maryland and accepts applications year round. Classes are held twice each year; in January and July. The classes are continuous for 5 ½ months. Following the residential phase of the program (22 weeks), cadets must follow up by transitioning into the 12-month post-residential phase in order to successfully complete the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy program in its entirety.

The ChalleNGe program is a great opportunity for the youth to learn about themselves and challenge all their capabilities. It also provides an opportunity for them to build confidence in their individual accomplishments! The academy’s staff and personal mentors work diligently with cadets to ensure they maintain their track to success as they navigate their way in early adulthood. Our entire Freestate ChalleNGe Academy staff look forward to assisting all youth who wish to make a difference; both now and in their future. We look forward to hearing from you.

Close window
Close Disclaimer

Google Translate Disclaimer

The Maryland Department of Information Technology (“DoIT”) offers translations of the content through Google Translate. Because Google Translate is an external website, DoIT does not control the quality or accuracy of translated content. All DoIT content is filtered through Google Translate which may result in unexpected and unpredictable degradation of portions of text, images and the general appearance on translated pages. Google Translate may maintain unique privacy and use policies. These policies are not controlled by DoIT and are not associated with DoIT’s privacy and use policies. After selecting a translation option, users will be notified that they are leaving DoIT’s website. Users should consult the original English content on DoIT’s website if there are any questions about the translated content.

DoIT uses Google Translate to provide language translations of its content. Google Translate is a free, automated service that relies on data and technology ​​​to provide its translations. The Google Translate feature is provided for informational purposes only. Translations cannot be guaranteed as exact or without the inclusion of incorrect or inappropriate language. Google Translate is a third-party service and site users will be leaving DoIT to utilize translated content. As such, DoIT does not guarantee and does not accept responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability, or performance of this service nor the limitations provided by this service, such as the inability to translate specific files like PDFs and graphics (e.g. .jpgs, .gifs, etc.).

DoIT provides Google Translate as an online tool for its users, but DoIT does not directly endorse the website or imply that it is the only solution available to users. All site visitors may choose to use alternate tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use DoIT content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk. DoIT is not liable for any loss or damages arising out of, or issues related to, the use of or reliance on translated content. DoIT assumes no liability for any site visitor’s activities in connection with use of the Google Translate functionality or content.

The Google Translate service is a means by which DoIT offers translations of content and is meant solely for the convenience of non-English speaking users of the website. The translated content is provided directly and dynamically by Google; DoIT has no direct control over the translated content as it appears using this tool. Therefore, in all contexts, the English content, as directly provided by DoIT is to be held authoritative.