Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy

2025-1 Family Day
2025-03-15 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IDYCA IS IN THE PACIFIC TIME ZONE (PST), NOT THE SAME AS BOISE/SOUTHERN IDAHO TIME ZONE which is ONE HOUR ahead of us.
Please follow our driving directions to avoid getting lost or stuck.
Family Day is scheduled at Timberline High School, 22869 SH-11, Weippe ID on March 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST.
For the safety and security of the Cadets, IDYCA staff will only send the event invitation to the registered parent(s)/guardian(s) email address on file. So, watch your inbox!
Those parent(s)/guardian(s), who did not provide IDYCA with an email address, will have to wait for an invitation to be snail-mailed.
The invitation will be sent two weeks before the event, and will contain all the details and instructions necessary for attendance.
Invited parent(s)/guardian(s) will have to show a photo ID at the entrance, to be allowed admittance.
The invited parent(s)/guardian(s) are welcome to bring along any other guest(s) in ONE vehicle – EXCEPT BOYFRIENDS AND GIRLFRIENDS – as long as the guest(s) are a positive influence on the Cadets.
And please remember to bring your Cadet’s favorite food! IDYCA will not be providing a lunch meal for the Cadets or families.
NOTE: Our class event dates are always available for viewing in the Parent Handbook or on our website calendar.

Twin Falls Orientation
2025-04-01 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, United States
9/11 Remembrance Run
In addition to learning more about the ChalleNGe program, applicants and their families will receive guidance on how to navigate the application process as quickly and efficiently as possible. More importantly, ChalleNGe staff hope to show interested families that IDYCA is a safe, secure environment staffed with dedicated, qualified people who are determined to help all of our clientele meet their potential as students and as young adults.

Pocatello Orientation
2025-04-02 17:00 - 18:30, 2025-10-01 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Pocatello National Guard Armory, 10714 Fairgrounds Rd., Pocatello, ID, 83201, United States
In addition to learning more about the ChalleNGe program, applicants and their families will receive guidance on how to navigate the application process as quickly and efficiently as possible. More importantly, ChalleNGe staff hope to show interested families that IDYCA is a safe, secure environment staffed with dedicated, qualified people who are determined to help all of our clientele meet their potential as students and as young adults.

Caldwell Orientation
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-10-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Elevate Academy Caldwell 114 W. Chicago St., 114 W. Chicago St,, Caldwell, ID, 83605, United States

2025-1 Support Person Zoom/Phone Calls
2025-04-05 11:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-03 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
NOTE: Times listed above are in the Pacific Time Zone, NOT Mountain Time Zone. (We are one-hour earlier than southern Idaho regions.)
IDYCA staff will communicate the details directly with the Support Person on file. Calls are for cadets and Support Person ONLY

Post Falls Orientation
2025-04-09 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States

Lewiston Orientation
2025-04-10 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lewiston National Guard Armory, 2707 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID, 83501, United States
Mrs. Lueckeman
In addition to learning more about the ChalleNGe program, applicants and their families will receive guidance on how to navigate the application process as quickly and efficiently as possible. More importantly, ChalleNGe staff hope to show interested families that IDYCA is a safe, secure environment staffed with dedicated, qualified people who are determined to help all of our clientele meet their potential as students and as young adults.

Pierce Orientation
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | IDYCA Campus, 117 Timberline Drive, Pierce, ID, 83546, United States

2025-1 Home Pass
2025-05-22 10:00 - 2025-05-27 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
TIMES LISTED ARE IN THE PIERCE, IDAHO TIME-ZONE – PACIFIC STANDARD.
Pick-up: May 22 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. PST
Drop-off: May 27 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST
All youth must be off-campus between 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22 and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27. There will not be any staff at the Academy during this time. Transportation to and from the Academy is solely the parent/guardians’ responsibility.
You MUST contact your youth’s Master Sergeant (see below) with your arrival times / travel plans, so we will have your Cadet ready to leave. [If planning to have your Cadet fly home, you must follow the AIRLINE information below.]
Gems – MSgt Stewart: 208-464-1465 or cstewart@idyouthchallenge.com
Axemen – MSgt Nelson: 208-464-1466 or jnelson@idyouthchallenge.com
Scouts – MSgt Rowland: 208-464-1464 or srowland@idyouthchallenge.com
Per the Parent Handbook, your Cadet will not be released for home pass with anyone other than the legal parent or guardian listed on the original application, unless you have authorized other arrangements in writing prior to arrival. (Valid I.D. Required).
If a Cadet tests positive for drugs after returning from Home Pass, he/she will be dismissed from Academy. Parent/guardian may take Cadet off campus for a confirmatory blood test at the expense of the Cadet or parent/guardian.
If a Cadet returns from Home Pass and Medical Staff deems Cadet contagious, parent/guardian will be responsible to transport Cadet to hospital to have Cadet checked by a Doctor and bring medical clearance back to our Medical Staff.
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Though not recommended, below is flight information. Instead of your child sitting on a plane and in airports for hours, they could be having long, meaningful, undistracted conversations with you during the trip home and back to the Academy. Even carpooling with other parents would encourage conversation, and we want the youth to have the opportunity to share what they are learning, with people who care about them.
AIRLINE INFO:
Transportation to and from the Academy is the solely the parents’ responsibility, as noted in the Parent Handbook. However, IDYCA will absorb the expense to assist with transportation to the Lewiston Airport (LWS) or Pullman Airport (PUW) at the times that Commandant Binder lists below.
To avoid unnecessary flight changing expense, you MUST contact the flight’s Master Sergeant (listed above) BEFORE purchasing an airplane ticket. We will NOT be able to accommodate transportation for any flights outside of the schedules or airports listed below.
These are the flights authorized by Commandant, between 5/22/2025 and 5/27/2025:

Flying to Boise would be the 1:43 flight out of Pullman. The return would be leaving Boise at 10:05am, 1hr 20min layover in Seattle, getting into Pullman at 1:03 pm
Flying to Salt Lake, it is the same 1:43 flight out of Pullman, 40 min transition in Seattle, and then arrives in Salt Lake at 6:39pm. The return is leaving Salt Lake at 6:48am, 3hr 46min layover in Seattle, getting to Pullman at 1:03pm
Flying to Boise from Lewiston, flight departs at 1200 on the 22nd, and returns at 1120 on the 27th.

NOTE: The Academy will only make one trip to the airport, so parents MUST understand that their youth will be unsupervised in a very small airport for a few hours prior to Cadre arriving for the approved window of flights.

Twin Falls Orientation II
2025-06-03 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, United States

Pocatello Orientation II
2025-06-04 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Pocatello National Guard Armory, 10714 Fairgrounds Rd., Pocatello, ID, 83201, United States

Caldwell Orientation II
2025-06-05 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | Elevate Academy Caldwell 114 W. Chicago St., 114 W. Chicago St,, Caldwell, ID, 83605, United States

Post Falls Orientation II
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States

Lewiston Orientation II
2025-06-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lewiston National Guard Armory, 2707 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID, 83501, United States

2025-1 Commencement Ceremony
2025-06-21 00:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Commencement Ceremony for Class 25-1 will be held on Saturday, June 21st. Due to space limitations, we will not publicly announce the time or location.
Only eight (8) guests are allowed per Cadet. The Academy will not mediate in family discussions about who will be allowed admittance, as it is expected that all adults should put the Cadet’s wishes first in all compromise discussions.
Printed invitations, with all the details and instructions, will be sent home with Cadets in their Home Pass packets.
The ceremony will be live streamed (link to follow).

2025-2 Day Zero
2025-07-26 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Times listed above are in the Pacific Time Zone, NOT Mountain Time Zone. (We are one-hour earlier than southern Idaho regions.)
Please do not follow Google Maps / GPS. If you hit a gravel road, turn around to avoid getting lost or stuck in the backcountry. Further driving direction details are listed here: https://www.idyouthchallenge.com/about_us/getting_here/
Please review your Acceptance Packet for your designated “check-in” time.

2025-2 Family Day - VIRTUAL ONLY
2025-09-27 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Class 25-2 Family Day will be virtual only, as communicated to families by the Director. Times listed are in the Academy’s time zone, which is Pacific Time (i.e. west coast).

Twin Falls Orientation
2025-09-30 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, United States

2025-2 Support Person Zoom/Phone Calls - CANCELED
2025-10-04 00:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
CANCELED

Post Falls Orientation
2025-10-15 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States

Lewiston Orientation
2025-10-16 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lewiston National Guard Armory, 2707 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID, 83501, United States

IDYCA on campus Orientation
2025-11-22 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | IDYCA Campus, 117 Timberline Drive, Pierce, ID, 83546, United States

2025-2 Home Pass
2025-11-25 10:00 - 2025-11-30 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
TIMES LISTED ARE IN THE PIERCE, IDAHO TIME-ZONE – PACIFIC STANDARD.
Pick-up: November 25 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. PST
Drop-off: November 30 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. PST
All youth must be off-campus between 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30. There will not be any staff at the Academy during this time. Transportation to and from the Academy is solely the parent/guardians’ responsibility.
You MUST contact your youth’s Master Sergeant (see below) with your arrival times / travel plans, so we will have your Cadet ready to leave. If planning to have your Cadet fly home, you must follow the AIRLINE information below and email the itinerary / ticket to your child’s Master Sergeant.
Gems – MSgt Stewart: 208-400-2252 or cstewart@idyouthchallenge.com
Axemen – MSgt Nelson: 208-400-2253 or jnelson@idyouthchallenge.com
Scouts – MSgt Rowland: 208-400-2254 or srowland@idyouthchallenge.com
Per the Parent Handbook, your Cadet will not be released for home pass with anyone other than the legal parent or guardian listed on the original application, unless you have authorized other arrangements in writing prior to arrival. (Valid I.D. Required).
If a Cadet tests positive for drugs after returning from Home Pass, he/she will be dismissed from Academy. Parent/guardian may take Cadet off campus for a confirmatory blood test at the expense of the Cadet or parent/guardian.
If a Cadet returns from Home Pass and Medical Staff deems Cadet contagious, parent/guardian will be responsible to transport Cadet to hospital to have Cadet checked by a Doctor and bring medical clearance back to our Medical Staff.
*************************
Though not recommended, below is flight information. Instead of your child sitting on a plane and in airports for hours, they could be having long, meaningful, undistracted conversations with you during the trip home and back to the Academy. Even carpooling with other parents would encourage conversation, and we want the youth to have the opportunity to share what they are learning, with people who care about them.
Per Commandant, the flights below are the only ones that we will facilitate for Class 25-2 Home Pass.
Only option for Lewiston to Boise:

Departing flight Tuesday, Nov 25th – Departs 12:30 PM Lewiston Regional Airport / Arrives 4:52 PM at Boise Airport
Return flight is Sunday, November 30th – Departs Boise Airport @ 8:45 AM / Arrives Lewiston Regional Airport @ 11:42 AM

Lewiston to Salt Lake City:

Departing flight Tuesday, Nov 25th – Departs 12:30 PM Lewiston Regional Airport / Arrives 3:05 PM Salt Lake City Airport
Returning flight Sunday, November 30th – Departs Salt Lake City Airport @ 11:00 AM / Arrives Lewiston Regional Airport @ 11:42 AM

Pullman to Boise:

Departing Flight Monday, November 24th – Departs 5:47 PM Pullman Regional Airport / Arrives 7:49 PM Boise Airport
Returning Flight Sunday, November 30th – Departs 5:30 PM Boise Airport / Arrives 5:31 PM Pullman Regional Airport

IDYCA Twin Falls Orientation II
2025-12-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, United States

IDYCA Pocatello Orientation II
2025-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Pocatello National Guard Armory, 10714 Fairgrounds Rd., Pocatello, ID, 83201, United States

IDYCA Caldwell Orientation II
2025-12-04 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Elevate Academy Caldwell 114 W. Chicago St., 114 W. Chicago St,, Caldwell, ID, 83605, United States

IDYCA Post Falls Orientation II
2025-12-11 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States
