Nationally, the Youth ChalleNGe program is expensive, costing an average of $14,000 per student, said the Wyoming program's director.

"We have been allocated up to $2.8 million, but we won't be using the whole amount," said program director Lt. Col. Shawn Powell. "Our budget is based on how many students we graduate.

"Our first class required additional funding to get a building ready and to set up everything," Powell said. He said unused funding will be returned.

The federal government provided about 60 percent of the funding, with the state picking up the rest of the costs, he said.

"Helping fund this operation means there are 22 lives we have been able to turn around," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jim McBride said at the first group's graduation on June 23.

Powell said the program currently is busy with its second class. The new class began July 15 with 35 cadets but is now down to 32, including nine young women. Graduation is planned for Dec. 17, and the third class is scheduled to start Jan. 14.

Currently there are 30 Youth ChalleNGe programs in the country.

For more information on the Wyoming Youth ChalleNGe program, cadet applications or information on becoming a mentor, go online to: www.ngycp.org/state/wy or call (307) 836-7500.

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Reporter John Morgan can be reached at (307) 266-0614 or john.morgan@casperstartribune.net