Explore and Engage
Trips and Tours
Grade-Level Trips
At Ozark Adventist Academy, we believe learning extends beyond the four walls of a classroom. That’s why each grade level embarks on an annual, curriculum-based trip designed to deepen students’ understanding of faith, science, and history. These class-wide excursions allow students to explore new places, build lasting friendships, and return to campus with fresh perspectives.
Each class trip is carefully tailored to match the interests and academic level of its participants. Freshmen set out on our Creation Tour to Kentucky, visiting the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum to connect biblical history with hands-on exhibits. Sophomores hit the river on a biology float trip, studying aquatic ecosystems and field biology in real time. Juniors travel east on our Heritage Tour, from the Empire State Building in New York City to the historic streets of Boston and the storied halls of Ellis Island. And our seniors enjoy a capstone adventure that could lead them anywhere from Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, to sand surfing in Colorado. These journeys and the memories they create are some of our students' favorite OAA memories.
Trips for Grades 9-11
Creation Tour
Earth Science
Freshmen on OAA’s Creation Tour visit Kentucky’s Ark Encounter and Creation Museum for an immersive study of biblical history and science. Stepping aboard the life-sized ark and exploring interactive exhibits, they evaluate scriptural narratives alongside scientific evidence to deepen their faith and critical thinking.
Trip FeesBiology Float Trip
Biology
Students on OAA’s Biology Trip explore one of Arkansas’s scenic rivers. Students participate in camping, hiking, and rafting excursions that reveal local ecosystems. By identifying native plants and animals and recording habitat observations, they develop outdoor research skills and deepen their understanding of river ecology.
Trip FeesHeritage Tour
American History
Students on Heritage Tour travel to the East Coast to explore sites central to American history. Students visit sites like the Statue of Liberty, the colonial city of Williamsburg, and Arlington National Cemetery. By identifying key landmarks and documenting historical insights, they deepen their understanding of our nation’s heritage.
Trip FeesPhotos from OAA's 2025 Senior Class Trip to Branson, Missouri, and OAA's 2024 Senior Class Trip to Colorado.
Colorado photos taken by Simon Arkusinski, Class of 2024.
Senior ClassTrip
Each April, OAA's senior class embarks on a week-long adventure. In 2025, they set their sights on Branson, Missouri. One of our students' favorite places was Silver Dollar City. There they twisted and turned on the Time Traveler until they didn't know which way was up, got completely soaked on the Mystic River, and shared plate-sized funnel cake. But some of the memories they may cherish the most was just laughing together until only the stars twinkled above the lights of the condo's swinging pool.
In 2024 the senior class went to Colorado and went sand surfing and bungee jumping. Senior class trip is one of the students final opportunities before graduation to bind their hearts together a little tighter and make a few more memories they will cherish for a lifetime.
Faith, Leadership, and Bonding
Teen Prayer Conference
OAA students have the opportunity to attend the annual Teen Prayer Conference hosted by the ARKLA Conference at Camp Yorktown Bay. The weekend retreat features daily worship sessions, small-group prayer circles, and fellowship activities that strengthen faith and build friendships.
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Leadership Camp
Each year, Ozark Adventist Academy students who hold leadership positions on campus have the opportunity to attend the Southwestern Union's Leadership Camp. The camp features daily leadership seminars, small-group workshops, and team-building exercises.
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Boys' & Girls' Club Campouts
Each year, Ozark Adventist Academy’s Boys and Girls Clubs organize separate weekend campouts that draw participants together in faith, encourage spiritual growth, and strengthen the bonds of our Ozark family. Photos from one of the Girls Club campouts are available via the link below.
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Athletics Tournaments
Ozark’s basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics teams participate in a variety of games and tours throughout the year. However, these are three of the larger trips in which students involved in athletics have the opportunity to participate.
Union Tournament
Lincoln
, NebraskaGirls' volleyball and boys' soccer teams from Adventist high schools around the country travel to Union Adventist University for their Fall Tournament. Teams will participate in multiple games on Thursday and Friday to determine seeding for Saturday night's championship games.
Learn MoreAcrofest
Universities
Gymnastics teams from across the country travel to a designated Adventist university to participate in gymnastics clinics. Acrofest is held at a different Adventist university each year (2025 Acrofest is at SAU). The event culminates with the Acrofest Joint Show after sundown on Saturday night.
Learn MoreSWAU Hoops Classic
Keene
, TexasApproximately 25 to 30 men's teams, and 15 to 20 women's teams travel to Southwestern Adventist University for their annual Hoops Classic basketball tournament. Ozark's men's team is in the Pacific Division and Ozark's women's team is in the Eastern Division.
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