Spring-Summer of 2008:
OCA begins as an organization dedicated to training and coaching special needs athletes in the Orange County, Florida area for participation in County, Area and State Special Olympics Fall, Winter and Summer games.
OCA Special Olympics Coaches partner with Orange County Special Olympics to present Camp Shriver, a sports-themed day camp for Central Florida children with intellectual disabilities.

In 2009:
The organization grows as a robust and driven group of parents, future staff, administrators and volunteers unite around a common mission and vision.
The OCA Board of Directors forms, creates a strong business plan and applies for non-profit status.

OCA again partners with Orange County Special Olympics to offer a sports-themed day camp for Central Florida children with intellectual disabilities. OCA successfully inaugurates a separate day camp. Two fun and challenging week-long sessions are held.

The organization holds their first-ever fundraiser, a Community Yard Sale, on a sizzling-hot Saturday. More than $3,000 is raised in just six hours!
OCA officially becomes a 501c3 tax exempt non-profit organization.

OCA first CLIMB (Community Leaders Initiating Meaningful Bonds) event is held, a Back-to-School Social/Dance for area special needs children. OCA continues to offer events that engaged Special needs children with their typical peers by holding a Sports/Recreational Day at Southwest Middle School.  OCA host a Holiday Dance at the College Park Community Center, and OCA enjoys a Parent's Day Out Event. Parent's had five hours of fun and relaxation and their kids ate lunch, rode the Lynx bus and saw a movie at the nearby movie theater.

In 2010:  OCA begins its Special Olympics training offering bocce, soccer skills and 4 soccer teams.  OCA has 54 athletes training for County, Area and State competition. OCA continues to offer Saturday Events to the Greater Orlando area and in February offers a Lunch/Bowling Outing in Winter Park.  OCA host a 2nd Sports Recreation day at Southwest Middle School where local middle and high school students volunteered for 4 hours of fun.  OCA has a Spring Fling dance at the College Park Community Center and during the summer OCA offer 5 weeks of Fun in the Sun Summer camp. 

OCA teamed with Tackling Autism Foundation, Winter Park YMCA, Track Shack Foundation and Winn Dixie in order to make camp a huge success.

In the Fall of 2010, OCA was selected as the receipent to Guys with Ties Costume for a Cause Event.  OCA received $8000.00 and in October, OCA participated in Darden's Community Day.  Darden employees donated $1330.00.

OCA continues to offer Saturday events once a month.  

In 2011, OCA will host a Valentine's Dance; offer a 3 day Spring Break camp, Lunch/ Bowling Outing, and 41 consumers, 6 CIT's and 6 staff members will attend Shrek the Musical.  OCA will offer up to 5 weeks of summer camp.

What’s Next? Check out our Upcoming Events! for more detailed information.