The Out-of-Door Academy

Girls Basketball Camp has been all smiles this week as campers learned the fundamentals of the game in a fun and encouraging environment! From dribbling and passing to shooting and defense, our young athletes developed new skills, made new friends, and built confidence on the court.

With plenty of games, team activities, and enthusiastic coaches cheering them on, every day was filled with learning, laughter, and a love for basketball. Great job, campers!

Fifteen ODA football student-athletes and three coaches traveled to Massachusetts for a recruiting and football camp tour, gaining valuable exposure and training and competing alongside some of the country's top talent.

The group attended the Best of New England Football Camp at Springfield College, enjoyed private athletic tours of Bentley University and Harvard University, took in a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, and concluded the trip at the Boston College Mega Camp.

The experience gave our student-athletes the chance to showcase their skills, connect with college programs, and see firsthand what life as a collegiate athlete can look like. Several players generated significant recruiting interest, including scholarship offers, making it an exciting and impactful trip for ODA Football.

Experiences like these continue to elevate our program and prepare Thunder student-athletes for success at the next level and beyond.

Rising eighth grader Daphne Quintal capped off an exciting school year with an impressive performance at the inaugural Under Armour Track and Field Nationals at IMG Academy.

Competing against some of the nation's top middle school athletes, Daphne placed sixth in the girls middle school pole vault with a personal-best mark of 2.55 meters. Her outstanding achievement also earned her recognition as East County Athlete of the Week.

Congratulations, Daphne, on representing the Thunder so well on the national stage!

⚡ Captain Thor has cleared us for takeoff!

Last Call Boarding: Alumni Challenge is officially underway, and boarding is now open through June 30.

Join alumni from every decade as we chart our flight path to the future together. Give any amount, represent your decade, and help support the students, educators, and programs that make ODA extraordinary.

Your seat. Your impact. Our future. BOARD NOW! https://www.givecampus.com/s/8845w4

What a way to kick off Camp Banyan! Our Coastal Explorers spent Week 1 discovering some of the Gulf Coast's most amazing destinations, from a visit to the brand-new Mote Marine Aquarium to searching for fossilized shark teeth at Venice Beach. Of course, no coastal adventure would be complete without enjoying the sunshine and sugar-white sands of Siesta Beach!

From marine life to beach treasures, this week was filled with curiosity, exploration, and plenty of summer fun. We can't wait to see where Camp Banyan's adventures take us next!

Ready for takeoff?

Tomorrow, we launch our Last Call Boarding Alumni Challenge, a campaign bringing together ODA alumni from every decade to help shape our future.

Captain Thor is in the cockpit, the flight plan is set, and there's a seat for every alum on this journey. Join us beginning June 16 as we celebrate ODA pride, make an impact together, and help chart our course before the fiscal year closes on June 30.

A heartfelt thank you to the The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch for welcoming our Thunder Grant Committee to a recent lunch meeting and for your generous support of their work in student philanthropy.

Our students had the opportunity to share how they review grant requests, make funding decisions, and learn the power of giving back through thoughtful stewardship. We were especially touched when Rotarians chose to donate their luncheon "happy dollar" collection to support the Thunder Grant Committee's efforts.

Even during the summer months, these students continue to lead with purpose, generosity, and a commitment to making a difference in our community. Thank you for investing in the next generation of philanthropic leaders! ⚡💙

Time to clean out your closets! Please help us with our summer service projects. Bring your gently used clothing to the main office at the Uihlein Campus now through June 30th.