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.