Destination ImagiNation is preparing Colorado’s kids to be the innovators of the future by combining the arts, sciences, and technology with creativity, teamwork, and problem solving.

Destination ImagiNation is a non-profit organization primarily run by volunteers. Our two part-time Executive Directors work with volunteers all over the state to bring DI to over 950 teams and 1,000 volunteers.

In Destination ImagiNation, two to seven-member teams focus on finding solutions to two separate types of Challenges: Team Challenges and Instant Challenges.  Then they present their solutions to Appraisers in Tournament-style settings.  By working together to develop solutions, participants push the limits of their imaginations to better themselves and best their competition.

The Team Challenge

The Destination ImagiNation Team Challenge is designed to be open ended and multidisciplinary. Teams spend several months working on the Team Challenge of their choice. Each of the five competitive Team Challenges has a different educational and creative focus:

Participants in Rising Stars! can engage in a non-competitive Challenge that introduces them to teamwork and creative thinking.

Every Team Challenge has two components: the Central Challenge and Team Choice Elements.

The Central Challenge is a set of required elements that all teams must complete. Team Choice Elements are additional scored elements that teams include in their Presentation in order to highlight their particular interests and skills.

Instant Challenge

The Destination ImagiNation Instant Challenge requires teams to engage in rapid-fire critical thinking. At Tournaments, teams receive a Challenge and the materials with which to solve it. They must think on their feet by applying appropriate skills to produce a solution in a period of just five to eight minutes. While Team Challenges build long-term problem solving and teamwork skills, Instant Challenges provide an exciting, impromptu creative experience for competing teams. By practicing Instant Challenges during the course of the season, students can increase their improvisational skills and train their minds to work quickly!

Who does DI?

Anyone! Destination ImagiNation is a program for youth of all ages and backgrounds. DI helps kids become more aware of the changes all around them and teaches them to value the constant creation of ideas. Everyone can benefit from DI: because the program’s curriculum covers several disciplines, DI appeals to every kid’s interests and needs, and since DI Challenges and Solutions stem from each team’s unique combination of participants and ideas, every team has a different experience.

When Do I Do DI?

The Destination ImagiNation Team Challenges and program materials are released annually on September 1st to all registered members. A typical season runs anywhere from 2-6 months, with most teams organizing between September and January. Some Regions and the Colorado State Affiliates hold Team Manager Trainings to assist Team Managers to feel comfortable with the task at hand. Beginning in January the Colorado State Affiliate wiill hold 2 Appraiser Trainings, several of the Regions hold their own Appraiser Trainings – please check with your Regional Director for information. Tournaments run from March through April.  Within that time frame, every team can set its own schedule and determine the course of its creations. Team Manager Trainings and Appraiser Training Pages.