Mountaineer Challenge Academy

The day begins at 0500 (5:00 AM) with one hour of physical training before breakfast. Cadets then attend academic classes, life skills instruction, and job training throughout the day. Organized athletics follow afternoon classes. Evenings are spent preparing uniforms and equipment for the next day. Weekends include continued classes, recreational activities, field training exercises (camping), and community service projects. Voluntary worship services and youth fellowship are available on Sundays. Cadets have no access to social media, television, or personal phones. Phone calls home are permitted starting week three on a scheduled basis, and visitations are prohibited except for two mandatory leave weekends during the 22-week cycle.

The quasi-military discipline model uses military-style structure, drill and ceremony, and chain of command to build accountability without being a boot camp or detention facility. Participation is entirely voluntary. Cadets follow an Honor Code emphasizing integrity, responsible citizenship, and community values. The first few weeks are identified as the most challenging due to environmental, dietary, and lifestyle changes. Separate living areas exist for male and female cadets, though platoons and educational groups are co-ed. No romantic relationships are permitted. The program focuses on positive development rather than punishment, using the eight core components to instill values, life skills, and self-discipline.

Daily physical training (PT) is mandatory for all cadets, occurring every morning before breakfast starting at 0500. Physical fitness is one of the eight core components of the program, with training designed to encourage a lifelong commitment to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The PT program includes aerobics, running, calisthenics, and organized athletics. Cadets participate in the President's Council on Physical Fitness Program and can earn awards for achievement. Additional physical activity occurs through drill and ceremony practice, land navigation exercises, Platoon Olympics, and Hard Core Challenges that develop leadership traits and teamwork.

Located at Camp Dawson, a 4,000+ acre West Virginia National Guard Training Site along the Cheat River in Preston County. Facilities include barracks accommodating over 500 personnel, classrooms, academic computer labs with PLATO software, physical training areas, drill fields, and extensive outdoor training terrain. The installation features the Thousand-Acre Woods training area atop Briery Mountain and over 3,000 acres of maneuver training space. A second MCA campus opened in Montgomery in 2020 to serve southern West Virginia.