Advertisement

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

The Gainesville Ledger

State & National

← Front page

Supporters rally at Camp Blanding to fight closure of Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Backers of the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy gathered at Camp Blanding in Starke on Sunday, calling on state officials to reverse plans to shut the program down. The Florida National Guard announced in April that it intends to close the academy during its 50th class, ending a 25-year program that has served nearly 7,000 at-risk teens since opening in 2001. Organizers warned the closure would harm current and future cadets while eliminating dozens of faculty and staff positions.

Read both sides →

Sources: WCJB TV20

← Back to front page

Advertisement