Dream. Believe. Achieve.

Hope for a brighter future begins at Thunderbird challenge Program.

The challenges that students face today do not need to limit their possibilities tomorrow. Throughout the National Guard Youth Challenge Program journey, cadets learn to take ownership of their lives and develop the leadership skills needed to attack adversity in their lives.

Thunderbird exists to intervene and reinvent leadership in the next generation’s youth. Are you ready for a change? Start your new best right here at the finest leadership academy in Oklahoma.

Class 67 Begins July 18, 2026

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Application Deadline July 12, 2026

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Dream.
Believe.
Achieve.

Hope for a brighter future begins at Thunderbird challenge Program.

The challenges that students face today do not need to limit their possibilities tomorrow. Throughout the National Guard Youth Challenge Program journey, cadets learn to take ownership of their lives and develop the leadership skills needed to attack adversity in their lives.

Thunderbird exists to intervene and reinvent leadership in the next generation’s youth.  Are you ready for a change? Start your new best right here at the finest leadership academy in Oklahoma.

Cadet in a red shirt working on a hands-on vocational project with tools and wooden materials.

Vocational Classes

Thunderbird cadets will have the opportunity to learn and explore different trades through our partnership with Northeast Tech. This invaluable relationship allows cadets to expand their potential and introduce them to new career paths.

Cadets in red uniforms holding a large American flag during a community service event.

Community Service

As a part of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, every cadet will complete a minimum of 40 volunteer community service hours. However, they don’t stop there. Cadet’s continue long after 40 hours, learning to give back and help the communities that have given to them.

Cadet in a red shirt smiling while putting on a helmet, guided by mentors during the Challenge Program.

Mentors

Mentorship is a key component of The Challenge Program. Every Cadet must have a mentor to be in the program. These unsung heroes are a vital part of the Cadets’ success while in the Challenge Program and long after the Cadets leave our campus.

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Overdrive 65, All Gas, No Brakes

August 21, 2025

Thunderbird Challenge Program Class 65 has officially hit the ground, marking the beginning of a powerful 22-week journey of growth, discipline, and discovery. Over the next five months, cadets will dive into the 8 core components that form the heart of the…

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🔔 CYCLE 67 PARENT/GUARDIAN ALERTS

1️⃣ Packing List Items 📦
If your child is missing or runs out of any packing list items, you may mail or drop them off at:

[Cadet’s First & Last Name, Platoon #]
501 South Elliott Street
Pryor Creek, OK 74361

Please clearly label all packages with your cadet’s FULL NAME and PLATOON NUMBER (if known). Items may be mailed, dropped off (between 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), or sent through retailers like Walmart or Amazon.

2️⃣ Medication Reminder 🩺
We discourage making medication changes while your child is enrolled. If prescriptions are on auto-refill, please contact your pharmacy to pause the service during the program.

3️⃣ Northeast Tech Registration 📚
Registration opens Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Registration details and a QR code for registration/payment will be emailed next week. Everything will be completed directly through NTC.

Available classes:
Males - Basic Auto Repair, Basic Carpentry, Basic Electrical, Heavy Equipment Operator Training

Females - Foundations of Beauty, Cake & Cookie Decorating, Crochet
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Every Thursday after school, cadets gather for Company Formation, a tradition that recognizes the individuals and platoons who have stood out through their effort, performance, and commitment to excellence throughout the week.

At Thunderbird, we believe exceeding the standard deserves to be recognized. These banners and awards celebrate achievement across every aspect of cadet life, from academics and leadership to physical fitness and teamwork.

🏅 Most Valuable Cadet (MVC) – Selected by our counselors to recognize a cadet who demonstrates outstanding leadership and exemplifies Thunderbird's core values.

📚 Learner of the Week (LOW) – Selected by our teachers to honor a student who consistently demonstrates strong effort, positive behavior, and serves as a role model in the classroom.

🏫 Academics Banner (+ Rubber Duck) – Awarded to the learning group that best demonstrates academic excellence, commitment to learning, and positive classroom behavior.

🛡️ Supply Shield – Awarded to the platoon with the fewest lost or damaged supply items.

🛏️ Barracks Banner – Awarded for the highest barracks inspection score, considering cleanliness, order, and attention to detail.

💪 PT Banner – Awarded to the top-performing platoon in Physical Training.

🎖️ D&C Banner – Awarded to the platoon that excels in Drill & Ceremony.

🗣️ Spirit Banner – Awarded for the best cadence performed during Pass and Review, recognizing precision, coordination, and spirit.

👊 Heavyweight Belt – Awarded to the platoon that earns the most banners for the week.

Every banner is not always awarded each week, and any given platoon is never guaranteed to earn one. Stay tuned next week to see who rises to the challenge for Cycle 67's first Company Formation!
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Join Us at Thunderbird Challenge

Fill out an online application and see if our School is a good fit for your family.

Application Process

  • 1

    Register as a parent guardian

  • 2

    Complete the online application

  • 3

    Our admissions counselor will contact you and visit about your individual situation

  • 4

    Schedule an Orientation and Interview

  • 5

    Receive conditional acceptance

  • 6

    Complete required paperwork and mentor application

You. Improved.

Thunderbird Challenge Program is a residential military academy for males and females age 15yrs. 7mos. to 18yrs old. The program is one of the original National Guard Youth Challenge Programs, and is the only military academy of its kind in the state. Our leadership-based highly disciplined educational program is designed to help today’s students prepare for being leaders tomorrow.

Challenge

Challenge oneself physically, educationally, and emotionally.  Our program is designed to introduce healthy adversity into our young adults’ lives in order to develop a habit of making good decisions and master healthy life skills.

Respect

Learn respect for yourself, for others, and your community. This respect is instilled into cadets through structured activities that promote teamwork, open communication, and appreciation for diverse perspectives. The program places a strong emphasis on accountability and responsibility, fostering an environment where respect is not only expected but becomes an inherent part of the cadets' character development.

Education

Education options include: GED, High Schools Credits, and Credit Recovery, College Classes, as well as Vo-Tech Classes.

At Thunderbird, Education is an opportunity to overcome barriers to learning. Many students today need a different model than sitting in a classroom with a book or computer. TCP offers many different approaches to traditional classroom learning in order to develop study skills that will benefit students throughout their educational career.