Community Service

The Spirit of Service at ODA

At The Out-of-Door Academy, service is more than just a moment–it’s a mindset. The art of giving back enriches our students, offering them a profound understanding of the transformative power of action and empathy, and the beauty of selflessness. From their earliest days on campus, students are gently guided into a world of meaningful contribution, learning that service isn’t about checking a box—it's a core value and a way of life.

Over the course of the 2024–2025 school year, Upper School students alone dedicated nearly 30,000 hours of service.

Service Spotlight: Founders Day of Service

A single day, a unified mission—to bring the entire ODA community together in simultaneous service. Launched in 2024 and aptly named in honor of our founders, this day embodied our core value of service. Students and educators from pre-K through grade 12 partnered with over a dozen nonprofits to complete meaningful service projects.

Service In Action

Here’s just a small glimpse into the many ways our students bring service to life across every division, classroom, and campus. Whether through longstanding partnerships or creative student-led initiatives, these moments reflect a community deeply committed to making a difference.

Student Changemakers: In the News

Keeping Siesta Key’s Grand Canal Healthy, One Storm Drain at a Time

Three ODA student-artists join forces to protect local watershed

ODA students, community members, and partners from the Siesta Key Association and Sarasota County NEST Program came together for the Siesta Key STEM Day of Service which included installing student-designed storm drain decals throughout Siesta Key Village. These decals serve as a lasting reminder to keep our waters clean by preventing pollution, litter, and chemicals from entering storm drains.

A special thank you to our talented student designers, Juliet Bradley '32, Gray Glassman '33, and Hartley Hodges '29, for their creativity and dedication to protecting our environment.

ODA Upper School Students Win Junior Humanitarian Award

Three students honored for committment to service and leadership

Three of our outstanding Upper School students were honored at the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration for their commitment to service and leadership. Cecile Visa ’26 was named Junior Humanitarian of the Year, while Danica Kovacevic ’25 and Kaitlyn Roman ’25 were also recognized as Junior Humanitarian honorees.

Manav Pulluru '26 Wins Congressional App Challenge

Winning app prevents fall risks for at-risk populations

Manav Pulluru’s winning app, SafeHavenAI, harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and image recognition to identify fall hazards in the homes of older adults and individuals with disabilities. By scanning interior spaces and flagging risks—such as uneven flooring, cluttered pathways, or poor lighting—the app offers users actionable recommendations to make their homes safer. This impactful project exemplifies how student innovation can address real-world challenges and serve vulnerable populations through thoughtful, accessible technology.