Submarine Veterans Welcome Aboard Arkansas Youth Challenge Cadets To Benefit Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
		United States submarine veterans in North Little Rock will welcome approximately 100 youth from the Arkansas National Guard Youth Challenge Academy aboard the USS Razorback submarine this Saturday, October 23, from 12 noon - 2 PM, to cement their new partnership in support of the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM) and the USSVI Razorback Base. The Razorback has recently been moved from the North Shore Riverwalk Park back to its former location just beyond the entrance to the rock quarry on River Road in North Little Rock. This newest partnership for AIMM will pair U.S. submarine veterans with nearly 300 at-risk youth who annually participate in a 17-month, two-phased program based at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. Youth Challenge Academy director Mike Stewart said, “We are excited about partnering with AIMM and North Little Rock because not only will this experience provide a good place for our cadets to give back to the community, but it will also serve to teach them about the sacrifices made by many for our freedoms.” Youth Challenge is a program for 16-18 year old at-risk youth who willingly attend a 5-month residential program at “Camp Happy”, including academic instruction, community service work, life skills, behavior modification, and physical fitness, followed by 12 months where they are expected to return to their community to apply their new knowledge. According to Steve Nawojczyk, Director of Youth Services for the City of North Little Rock, “The pairing together of at-risk youth with submarine veterans will do more than just provide volunteer labor for landscaping, clean-up, and miscellaneous construction projects.  It is an example of mentoring done by veterans for our next generation.  These veterans clearly understand the freedom they sacrificed for will be the responsibility of our young people in the future.  They wish to pass the baton successfully.”