Twin Falls Orientation
2026-04-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, 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.

Pocatello Orientation
2026-04-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Pocatello National Guard Armory, 10714 Fairgrounds Rd., Pocatello, ID, 83201, United States

Caldwell Orientation
2026-04-09 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Elevate Academy Caldwell 114 W. Chicago St., 114 W. Chicago St,, Caldwell, ID, 83605, United States

Post Falls Orientation
2026-04-15 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States

Lewiston Orientation
2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lewiston National Guard Armory, 2707 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID, 83501, United States
Learning Job & Life Skills
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.

Orientation--Pierce Campus
2026-05-02 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | IDYCA Campus, 117 Timberline Drive, Pierce, ID, 83546, 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.

2026-1 Home Pass
2026-05-21 10:00 - 2026-05-26 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
TIMES LISTED ARE IN THE PIERCE, IDAHO TIME-ZONE – PACIFIC STANDARD.
Pick-up: May 21st between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. PST
Drop-off: May 26th 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 21st and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26th. 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.
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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.
Per Commandant, the flights below are the only ones that we will facilitate for Class 26-1 Home Pass.

Twin Falls Orientation II
2026-06-02 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Twin Falls National Guard Armory, 1080 Frontier Rd., Twin Falls, ID, 83301, United States

Pocatello Orientation II
2026-06-03 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Pocatello National Guard Armory, 10714 Fairgrounds Rd., Pocatello, ID, 83201, United States

Caldwell Orientation II
2026-06-04 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Elevate Academy Caldwell 114 W. Chicago St., 114 W. Chicago St,, Caldwell, ID, 83605, United States

Pierce Campus Orientation
2026-06-13 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | IDYCA Campus, 117 Timberline Drive, Pierce, ID, 83546, United States

2026-1 Commencement Ceremony
2026-06-19
The Commencement Ceremony for Class 26-1 is currently scheduled for Friday, June 19th in Boise at a time and location to be announced at a later date to immediate families only.
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, have been sent home with Cadets in their Home Pass packets.

IDYCA Post Falls Orientation II
2026-06-25 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Post Falls National Guard Armory, 5453 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, ID, 83854, United States

IDYCA Lewiston Orientation II
2026-06-26 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Lewiston National Guard Armory, 2707 16th Ave., Lewiston, ID, 83501, United States

2026-2 Day Zero
2026-07-18 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.

2026-2 Family Day
2026-10-03 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 Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy, 117 Timberline Drive, Pierce ID on October 3, 2026, 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.

2026-2 Home Pass
2026-11-24 10:00 - 2026-11-29 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 24 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. PST
Drop-off: November 29 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 24 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 29. 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 Brown: 208-400-2253 or ebrown@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.
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2026-2 Commencement Ceremony
2026-12-19 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
The Commencement Ceremony for Class 26-2 will be held on Saturday, December 20th. Due to space limitations, the time and location will not be publicly announced.
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, have been sent home with Cadets in their Home Pass packets.
