Virginia Beach, Va. –
Class 64 of the of the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy kicked off Feb. 4, 2026, as 68 candidates arrived for in-processing at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Va. CCYA, the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, is a 29 and a half month program structured in a military-style environment, designed to promote academics, attention to detail, time management, and leadership, while promoting self-esteem, confidence and pride.
“Our mission is to provide young people with the structure, support, and high expectations they need to succeed,” said Jen Lanz, director of Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy. “The start of each class represents renewed opportunity — not only for cadets, but also for their families.”
In addition to the cadets, another new face joins CCYA this class. Vice Commandant Damian Williamson comes to Commonwealth ChalleNGe from the Nevada Youth ChalleNGe program and brings his experience and desire to work with teens.
Williamson said he believes the Youth Challenge Program is not about where a young person has been — it’s about where they are willing to go. CCYA provides the tools, and they do the work.
ChalleNGe is divided into three phases. The first phase is the Acclimation Period. This period is the first two weeks of the residential phase and consists of physical, leadership and mental challenges designed to test the candidates’ potential for success in the second phase of the program.
Class 64 welcomed a couple special visitors during its acclimation period. The military outreach coordinators from Virginia’s senate delegation visited CCYA Feb. 10, 2026. Janet Lomax, military outreach coordinator for Sen. Tim Kaine, and Gene L. Garland, military outreach coordinator for Sen. Mark Warner, met with ChalleNGe staff, received an informational briefing on the program’s history, current status and future goals, and heard first-hand from Class 64.
The second phase of CCYA is a 20-week residential period that consists of academics, either high school credit recovery or GED test preparation, post-residential goal development, physical fitness, both individual and group counseling, life skills and team building.
This residential phase consists of academics and structured training that includes daily rigorous physical fitness exercises. A variety of extra-curricular clubs and sports are available.
Teach Advise Counsel officers, also known as Cadre, are responsible for the Cadets’ execution of the daily routine, physical fitness, personal hygiene, health and welfare, teaching ethical behavior and military science, and working together as a team. Physical training, drill and ceremonies, and barracks inspections are also integral parts of this training in teaching cooperation, tolerance of others, and teamwork.
Faculty members are responsible for academic training and instruction, which is supplemented by various off-site field trips. Past field trips have included museums, the Virginia Aquarium, the state capitol, Washington D.C., and live theater performances.
The Cadets of Class 64 are scheduled to graduate from the residential portion of the program in June 2026, before transitioning to the post-residential phase.
The third phase of ChalleNGe is the two-year post-residential phase. A relationship between the Cadet and CCYA staff is required during this phase. Career advisors will track the progress of each Cadet during the post residential phase and document it for monthly reports per program requirements.
Lanz said she believes in the value of the program and is thankful the Virginia Department of Military Affairs has supported the program for over 30 years.
“When a cadet succeeds, a family is strengthened and a community benefits,” she explained. “This program is an investment in Virginia’s future.”
CCYA is free and open to Virginia residents, 15 1/2 – 18 years old, who have become off-track or withdrawn from public school. A new class begins in July 2026.
For more information about the Commonwealth ChalleNGe Youth Academy call (757) 491-5932 or visit
vachallenge.org.