The Challenge program, a preventive rather than remedial youth-at-risk program, targets participants who are unemployed, drug-free and law-free high-school dropouts, 16 to 18 years of age.  Core components of the program are citizenship, academic excellence (GED/high school diploma attainment), life-coping skills, community service, health and hygiene, skills training, leadership/follower-ship, and physical training. 

       The five-month residential phase, which includes the pre-residential phase, is followed by a yearlong mentoring relationship with a specially trained member from each youth's community.