Tarheel Challenge

Post Office Box 39 
Salemburg, NC 28385

Part of the nationwide National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, the academy is a 17-month program divided into two distinct phases: a five-month residential phase on the academy’s Sampson County campus and a 12-month post-residential phase immediately following graduation from the in-residence phase.

The academy focuses on eight core components: leadership/followship, responsible citizenship, service to community, life coping skills, physical fitness, health and hygiene, job skills and academic excellence. As part of academic excellence, each cadet attends daily academic classes preparing them for testing for the GED, a high school diploma or increased math and reading comprehension. Each cadet also is matched with an adult mentor for the post-residential phase.

The prospective cadet must volunteer for the training and must be motivated and committed to turning his/her life around. Cadets are not required to pay tuition, and there are no military obligations involved.

Tarheel ChalleNGe is a volunteer program. Anyone can recommend and assist: however, the applicant must volunteer for the training. An applicant must be motivated and committed to turning his/her life around through this "Second Chance." The Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy only holds two classes a year which last for five and one-half months. The to start months for each class are January and July. Please, if you are trying to get your Child into the program you should turn in your application packet as soon as you can. This will help us ensure that you have a completed packet in before the deadline date

Potential high school dropouts or expellees

A major part of the residential phase provides for General Education Development (GED) schooling and testing

To redirect the efforts of young adults who have had trouble succeeding in the normal high school environment and give them the skills and attitude to become productive citizens in their communities.

Programs located in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Tarheel Challenge

Military Academy

(910) 525-5520