​
About Troop Hard Charger
Troop Hard Charger is a co-educational program designed for youth ages 8 to 12, welcoming both boys and girls. The program is built on the belief that teaching and mentoring young ladies and young men to co-exist through mutual communication is essential. The focus is on fostering collaboration rather than competition, encouraging participants to draw upon diverse perspectives and respect for individual differences while working toward shared objectives. Co-education is seen as a valuable way to prepare youth for life in a diverse society and to promote their social and emotional growth.
​
Meeting Schedule and Location
The Troop Hard Charger program runs year-round, with meetings held at least twice a week at the Troop Clubhouse, located in downtown Whiteville. In addition to these regular meetings, members occasionally convene on weekends for special events and field trips. These additional gatherings provide opportunities for participants to apply new skills and gain direct experience with the activities introduced during meetings. Physical training, life skills instruction, and the practice of common courtesy and social etiquette are consistently emphasized within the program. After each meeting, participants enjoy a nutritious meal served in their dedicated clubhouse chow hall.
​
Activities and Skill Development
Troop Hard Charger offers a wide variety of activities aimed at broad spectrum of skills development. Participants engage in martial arts, culinary training, camping and survival skills, trade skill training, home economics, swimming, hiking, hunting, fishing, and more. Each activity is intentionally designed to encourage members to push beyond their comfort zones. The program is challenging by nature, and members are expected to face struggles as they learn. These challenges are considered important opportunities for building resilience and honing problem-solving skills.
​
Leadership and Instruction
The program is administered by instructors who are carefully selected and thoroughly vetted military and law enforcement veterans. These leaders are mothers and fathers with families and years of coaching and mentoring experience. All share the conviction that investing in children is the key to investing in the future. The troop is led with a strict military discipline, but the leadership also strives to maintain a proper balance of flexibility and understanding, fostering exploration, and reinforcing an understanding that making mistakes is a natural part of personal growth, not a reflection of character.
​
Enrollment and Progression
All prospective members begin as “Poolee’s,” selected from a pool of candidates. Each Poolee must complete an initial four-week trial period before earning the status of official Hard Charger and receiving their patch and dog tags. During this evaluation period, Poolee’s are assessed on behavior, adaptability, ability to follow directions, self-control, perseverance, and physical fitness. Candidates who do not meet the required standards are “Recycled” or must repeat the Poolee phase for another four weeks.
​
Uniform Standards
Upon successful completion of the beginner phase, Poolee’s participate in a graduation ceremony where they receive a certificate of award, custom dog tags, and official Hard Charger patches. Graduates receive two types of uniforms: one martial arts uniform and one utility uniform. These uniforms are property of the Sheepdog Foundation Inc. and must be maintained to specific standards throughout membership in Troop Hard Charger. Uniforms and essential gear are subject to random and periodic inspections, reinforcing the importance of personal accountability.
​
Program Funding and Mission
The Troop Hard Charger program has been carefully designed to provide an immersive, comprehensive, challenging, and accessible learning environment. Operated by the Sheepdog Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering responsible citizens, the program promotes self-preservation and self-resilience. Funding comes from private donations, troop fundraising efforts, and a monthly tuition of $55 per participant. Additionally, the Sheepdog Foundation Inc. offers essential training classes to the community at reduced cost to help support this program.
Potential candidates will have an orientation and interview before each new class begins. Parents and youth will be thoroughly briefed on all prerequisites, guidelines, and operating procedures. Parents can ask questions or share concerns during this time. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate throughout the duration of their child’s enrollment to compound the benefits of this essential program.
Troop Hard Charger Motto
​The guiding motto of Troop Hard Charger is “Carpe Futurum,” which translates to “Seize the future.” This phrase embodies the program’s philosophy, encouraging every member to take active control of their future and embrace the challenges that come with personal growth. Through participation in the program’s comprehensive activities and training, individuals are consistently expected to exemplify courage, determination, and initiative, reflecting the core values outlined in the program’s motto as they progress in their development.
​
The Sheepdog Foundation Inc.