The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy
The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy (CGYCA), located in Laurel, Md. is a life intervention, dropout reintegration, and General Education Development (GED) preparatory program, run by the District of Columbia National Guard in partnership with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for the District of Columbia.
We are now accepting applications for our next class. Here are our requirements: * 16-18 years old (on the first day the program begins)* U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident * Applicant should have a strong desire to complete the programIf you meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to complete a structured and disciplined program, The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy may be for you! Fill out a pre-application here; and call the recruiting office at (202)730-1615, for further information.
We are now accepting applications for our next class. Here are our requirements: * 16-18 years old (on the first day the program begins)* U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident * Applicant should have a strong desire to complete the programIf you meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to complete a structured and disciplined program, The Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy may be for you! Fill out a pre-application here; and call the recruiting office at (202)730-1615, for further information.
Our story
Prior to 2013, the D.C. National Guard conducted the CGYCA in partnership with the Maryland National Guard. On average the D.C. National Guard was sponsoring about 10 graduates per class, although estimates showed that the D.C. National Guard should have been averaging about 30. Citing the District’s unique population and need for their own facility, the D.C. National Guard was passionate about finding a permanent location that could produce greater results. In 2013, a 40-acre rehabilitated detention center owned by the District of Columbia government was turned into a 16-building, state-of-the art educational campus for the District of Columbia National Guard’s CGYCA and in 2013, the CCGYC was recognized as an independent program. Fifty-one youths were members of the first graduating class at the new facility on Dec. 11, 2013.
The academy is a 5 1/2 month long residential “military style” academy structured to promote an academic environment where students will earn a District of Columbia High School Diploma, develop leadership, job skills, and academic skills, while improving self-esteem, pride, and confidence. In its fourth year of operation, the campus was renamed Camp Schwartz, MG Errol R. Schwartz, District of Columbia National Guard Training Site in honor of its biggest proponent on May 15, 2017. The road leading to Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz Youth Challenge Facility was also renamed: MG Errol R. Schwartz Way. The dedication also included a groundbreaking on a large construction phase on the 30-acre site, a training facility for Soldiers and Airmen within the D.C. National Guard.
The academy is a 5 1/2 month long residential “military style” academy structured to promote an academic environment where students will earn a District of Columbia High School Diploma, develop leadership, job skills, and academic skills, while improving self-esteem, pride, and confidence. In its fourth year of operation, the campus was renamed Camp Schwartz, MG Errol R. Schwartz, District of Columbia National Guard Training Site in honor of its biggest proponent on May 15, 2017. The road leading to Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz Youth Challenge Facility was also renamed: MG Errol R. Schwartz Way. The dedication also included a groundbreaking on a large construction phase on the 30-acre site, a training facility for Soldiers and Airmen within the D.C. National Guard.
