Letters from Home.
Traditional mail is an important part of the training experience. Write often and keep letters positive and encouraging.
COMMUNICATION & PHOTOS
Stay Connected.
Let Them Grow.
Letters, official updates and the Family Readiness Group keep families connected while Challengers focus on training.
Official Updates.
Official Photographer & Photo Orders ↗ · Mission Book ↗
Follow the official family community for photos, video packages and announcements. Not every Challenger or activity can be photographed every day.
Focused Training.
Cell phones are turned in on arrival and remain secured until the Challenger is detached from Camp Liberty at graduation or departure. Challengers do not have personal cell-phone access during training.
RECEIVING DAY
Safe Arrival: Call or Photo?
If Your Challenger Flies In
Flying Challengers make the scripted Safe Arrival Call on Receiving Day (R-Day), using the parent’s phone number they have memorized. An official arrival photo is also taken.
The call may sound brief, rushed or nervous because your Challenger is following a script.
One attempt only. We will not accept inbound or verification calls.
If You Drop Your Challenger Off
Your Challenger has an official arrival photo taken. They will not make a Safe Arrival Call.
For drop-offs, the official photo provides the arrival confirmation.
The Official Arrival Photo
The photo is taken at the Camp Liberty photobooth, after haircuts for males, and shared with parents. It serves as the official “Proof of Life” arrival photo.
1. Take the arrival photo
2. Enter the delivery number
3. Review and share the photo
Calls During Training.
During the summer Training Mission, Recruits have one three-minute call shortly before Graduation Review; Cadets have one five-minute call per week. These routine calls follow the training schedule and are separate from the required R-Day scripted Safe Arrival Call for flying Challengers.
Winter CTSTC: After the R-Day arrival notification, no routine calls are scheduled during CTSTC. Photo updates are very limited during this winter field course. Read the Winter Packet ↗
Sending Letters.
Challengers send the required preprinted postcard home on the first day of training. It complements the official arrival photo and the Safe Arrival Call for flying Challengers.
Include your Challenger’s full name so incoming mail can be directed to them.
Challenger’s full nameAttn: Extreme Military Challenge!
Camp Liberty
15719 Alabama Highway 157
Battleground, Alabama 35179
Follow the current Parents’ Guide for delivery and package instructions.
Questions and Family Emergencies.
Routine preparation: use the 2026 Parents’ Guide and Family Readiness Group. Use Admissions for private medical, religious or financial questions.
Death notifications and extreme emergencies: call XMC Headquarters at 855-XMC-CAMP (855-962-2267) if a death or another extreme event may require your Challenger to return home. Camp leadership will coordinate the necessary notification and any departure arrangements. XMC is not a messaging service and does not relay routine personal messages.
REPORT A CONCERN
Contact the Camp Commander.
Report concerns about safety, discrimination, harassment or Cadre conduct directly to the Camp Commander at admissions@xmccamp.com.
At camp, seek immediate assistance from any Cadre member wearing a black Command shirt or a red Medical shirt. Challengers and parents may approach either group.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Braden’s Photography Services.
For individual and group portraits, photography orders and the Mission Book, visit the dedicated photography page.
STAYING CONNECTED
A Short Call. A Meaningful Connection.
Keep conversations positive, brief and supportive. Prepare a short list of questions so you can make good use of the available time. Your Challenger may sound tired or rushed; raise any specific health or safety concern through the published contact route.
Use authorized channels and respect staff social-media boundaries ↗
YOUR FAMILY RESOURCES
Ready for Arrival.
One Step at a Time.
Open the Parent Portal ↗Follow your enrollment instructions, current Parents’ Guide and family-account tasks.2026 Parents’ Guide ↗Ask Admissions ↗