A trio representing South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy (SCYCA) spoke recently to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo at its breakfast meeting.
SCYCA is a program supported by the National Guard and uses several elements of a military level training in order to launch young people on a path to responsible citizenship. It is totally tuition-free and voluntary. Its goals are to establish life skills, enhance cadet’s education, and to prepare cadets for employment. The program lasts five and a half months.
It offers to its cadets four educational tracks:
Education Credit Recovery for those who are not on track to graduate by age 18.
Virtual School Enrollment
GED Prep
High School Diploma
Ninety-percent of its cadets come from single parent households. Often, arriving cadets harbor some anger directed at a parent. They are prime targets for gang recruitment at that point. The academy presumes its cadets are, for the most part, intelligent, but not as aware as they need to be for their next steps. One of the key aims, then, is to manage the cadets’ focus.
Although the academy is not military Basic Training, there are still similarities. Arrival at the academy usually entails a culture shock, transitioning to a “new normal.” According to one of the speakers, Director Ronnie Scott, the early experience at the academy is “fairly rough . . . the kids aren’t necessarily ready for those first few days.”
Such simple basics as a firm handshake, looking the other person in the eye, standing in formation, hands out of pockets, etc., become routine quickly. The cadets receive and wear uniforms at all times. Along the way, cadets benefit from military-style leadership, tutoring, mentoring, and encouragement. These basics of deportment come to bear in job interview settings. In Director Scott’s words, “Allow your first impression to be an interviewer’s last impression.”
The eight core components of instruction are:
Academic excellence
Life coping skills
Health and hygiene
Job skills training
Leadership/”followership”
Physical fitness
Responsible citizenship
Service to the community
The cadets live by the following creed:
“I am a South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy cadet.
I will always conduct myself to bring credit to my family, country, school, and the Corps of Cadets.
I am loyal and patriotic.
I am the future of the United States of America
I do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
I will always be accountable for my actions and deeds.
I will always practice good citizenship and patriotism.
I will work hard to improve my mind and strengthen my body
I will stand prepared to uphold the constitution of the American way of life
May I be granted to always live by this creed.
Pictured lefto to right are are Hoyt Bynum, Deputy Director, Ronnie Scott, Director, Optimist Club President Gary Boyd, and Authur Johnson, Recruiter.
