Supporters rally at Camp Blanding in Starke, to keep Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy open

STARKE, Fla. (WCJB) - Supporters of the Florida Youth ChalleNGe Academy held a peaceful rally Sunday at Camp Blanding, urging state leaders to keep the program open amid plans to shut it down.

Organizers said the demonstration was about protecting a program they say has helped thousands of at-risk teens get their lives back on track through education, discipline and mentorship.

They warned the closure would affect current and future cadets and could also cost dozens of faculty and staff members their jobs.

The Florida National Guard announced April 8 that it plans to close the Florida Youth Challenge Academy during Class 50, ending the program’s 25-year run at Camp Blanding.

The academy opened in 2001 as part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. Since then, nearly 7,000 cadets have graduated, according to organizers.

Former graduate and rally co-organizer Crystal Ann said the impact would extend beyond students, pointing to the staff members who would be displaced.

“All of the employees here have a level two background check through the Department of Juvenile Justice,” she said. “They are trained. They are experienced. They pass these level two background checks. They know what they’re doing. This program is not closing because the failure. It’s closing because the support is backing away — but not the support from the staff members.”

Organizers said they submitted a proposal to Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott seeking renewed state funding in hopes of keeping the academy operating.

The rally began at 10 a.m. at Camp Blanding, 1530 FL-200, Starke, Florida.

Organizers said they remain hopeful state leaders will reconsider before the academy is scheduled to shut down at the end of June.

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