Schools closed across Kentucky, but these military youth programs remain open. Here’s why.

As schools across Kentucky grapple with closures amid the outbreak of novel coronavirus, at least one program remains open: the Challenge Academies run by the Kentucky National Guard on its campuses in Harlan and Fort Knox.

Each campus has 76 cadets living in barracks, training together and working together in groups that go well above the number of individuals recommended by CDC guidelines.

However, the academies are, partly by nature of the programs, self-quarantined to some degree, and the Kentucky National Guard has published statements saying that it is taking additional measures to protect the cadets and their families during the outbreak.

The academies blend military-style training with traditional education in a 22-week residential program where cadets — usually between 16 and 18 years old — live on-site and receive credits as they would in a traditional school. The program does not require enlistment in the National Guard after graduation, and focuses on providing the students with enough credits and training to prepare them for higher education if the cadets wish to pursue it after they graduate.

While the cadets are working in large groups, the spokesman for the Kentucky National Guard and Department for Military Affairs Major Stephen Martin said officials, including Gov. Andy Beshear, determined the cadets would be safer in the residential program than they would be if they were sent home.

“These children participating in the program are going to be safer,” Martin said. “It is a unique circumstance, it’s not a traditional school.”

Both campuses are on-schedule to graduate the current class June 13. The next class was scheduled to begin in July, but Martin said the National Guard may delay the next class depending on the state of COVID-19 in Kentucky at that time.

Martin said staff members are screened daily for symptoms of the coronavirus before interacting with the cadets, and that all deliveries to the campuses, other than food, are dropped outside the gate to limit any contact with the outside world.

Last week, the Bluegrass Challenge Academy issued a statement that it would continue birthday visits, but encouraged the public to use “common sense” and not visit if a family member has had symptoms. All visitors will be screened before interacting with the cadets.

The Bluegrass Academy also said it would continue visits between cadets and mentors, and would allow cadets to leave for Easter break from April 10-14.

The Appalachian Challenge Academy, in Harlan, postponed a family visitation day scheduled for March 21st, all birthday visitations, and all events that would “include on-site involvements within the (Appalachian Challenge Academy) facility from general/nonessential public.”

“This is one of the first milestone events of our cadets’ journey, and undoubtedly will bring about disappointment for all parties involved,” Josh Coldiron, director of the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy said in a letter to parents. “However, we are confident that these aggressive and proactive measures will provide the best course of action to ensure the well-being of our cadets and staff.”

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 2:58 PM.