Cadets of Class 63 of the Virginia Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy experience an interactive, educational simulation designed to help them gain practical insight into real-world financial decision-making Nov. 15, 2025, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Through assigned life scenarios, the Reality Store forced students to manage a monthly budget and make informed choices about housing, transportation, food, childcare, insurance, and other essential expenses.Commonwealth ChalleNGe is the Virginia component of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. ChalleNGe is a 29-and-a-half-month program which includes a five-and-a-half-month residential phase, followed by a 24-month post-residential phase. It is free to Virginia teens aged 15 ½ - 18.