CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. -- Freshmen year of high school is full of obstacles. But for Columbus High School freshmen, those obstacles were put in front of them on purpose today.

Eighty freshmen tackled both physical and mental challenges today at Volk Field. It's part of a National Guard program designed to develop leadership skills and give students the strength to stay away from drugs.

"This is one of the hardest things I've ever done," said Columbus H.S. freshman Noah Johnson.

The skills they're developing outside the classroom today are already familiar to them. They've been participating in the National Guard's Leadership Education Adventure Program-- or LEAP-- since 5th grade.

Drug Demand Reduction Administrator Sgt. Brian Kelly said LEAP is trying to teach students "integrity, responsibility, team building, communication, and delayed gratification."

About half of the obstacles are wet obstacles. It's about showing students their actions have consequences.

The program is also meant to help students develop the decision-making skills they'll need to stay away from drugs.

"We're not going to tell you to not do drugs. We're not going to-- our forte is doing these particular programs where we can teach them the skills to build their self confidence, to give them the resiliency," said Chief of Drug Demand Reduction for the National Guard Lt. Col. John Dyer.

And for the students, it's also about interacting with their peers differently than they do during a normal school day.

"I really think it's a great opportunity for the kids in my grade to get a different look at each other and communicate with each other. Because we don't talk to everybody on a daily basis. Normally you have that one group that your friends hang out with. And these are just people that you don't normally see everyday," said Columbus H.S. freshman Morgan Seltzner.

They also learn that everyone has something to contribute to the team.

"On all these we have to work together a lot and we're learning how to work as a team and how different people can be leaders in different ways," said Noah.

Back at school, the students might not remember who fell in the water or who helped lift them over a wall. But they will remember how it felt to work together as a team to accomplish something that would have been impossible alone.

LEAP targets students in 5th, 7th and 9th grade-- years when they're transitioning schools and vulnerable to peer pressure. The goal is to reach students to prevent drug use before it starts.

More than 150,000 students have participated in the Wisconsin National Guard's LEAP.