Are you interested in being a Team Manager for the 2011-2012 school year? Are you a new Team Manager? A Returning Team Manager? A Parent interested in getting your child involved in DI? Here are all the answers.

If you are already familiar with our program and ready to start a team, either contact your Regional Director or go to idodi.org

What is Destination Imagination?

Destination Imagination (DI) is the world’s largest creative problem solving competition program. More than 100,000 students from more than 30 different countries compete each year. Students form teams and work together to solve open-ended challenges over the school year. Through this program, kids will gain skills in teamwork, creative thinking, and problem solving.

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

How does DI work?

School-aged children work in teams from 2 to 7 members to solve long-term challenges and practice Instant Challenges. The most important thing to remember is that this program is kid based! There is absolutely no outside help allowed. Team managers are there to supervise, provide resources and teach skills, teamwork and problem solving skills. The Team Members generate the ideas, execute the ideas, and plan a performance showcasing their ideas.

Team Challenges that the team can choose from are:

• Technical
• Scientific
• Fine Arts
• Improvisational
• Structural
• Service Learning
• Rising Stars, our non-competitive early learning challenge for students in K-2

How do I enroll my Child in DI?

DI relies on volunteers to establish teams in their neighborhood or school.

Many schools and school districts support DI through school coordinators who assist in the formation of teams. DI works differently than most after-school programs; instead of signing up your child through a centralized location, parents interested in DI must form a team and recruit a volunteer team manager. All students may participate in DI as long as they have a Team Manager! There are no try-outs, no ability requirements, just the desire to work with your team to solve challenges.

Why be a Team Manager?

Becoming a DI Team Manager can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will have as an adult volunteer.  You get to witness the growth of your team and the amazing solutions they develop first hand. Along the way, you learn how to build teams, teach creative problem solving and form lasting relationships with your team members and other adult volunteers.

“Today’s children have little exposure to the Creative Thought Process.  It is extremely fulfilling to watch initially shy children come out of their shell and have the confidence to speak in front of large audiences, to see their thought process develop beyond what is expected and watch their confidence levels soar to great heights.  Empowering children to develop their own creative ideas integrating science, art, mechanics and creativity into wacky, funny, solutions has provided me with more pleasure and gratification than I imagined.” Anne Burton, Team Manager, 5 years

What does it take to be a Team Manager?

• Enjoyment in working with children
• Patience
• Curiosity
• Meeting/Work space at a home or school
• Ability to believe that team members can solve the problem
• Tolerant of student’s work styles and pacing
• Recognize that conflict is part of finding a creative solution.

How do I  learn how to be a Team Manager?

With your paid membership you receive training and challenge materials including a road map outlining your first 16 team meetings, Team Manager trainings , webinar trainings, access to your Regional Director and Regional Challenge Master to get your questions answered. We will help you through every step of the process.

How much Time does DI Take?

The DI season begins on September 1 with the release of that season’s challenges, and ends with the Regional Tournament in the spring. Most team Managers start in the late fall, but some don’t begin until January. The average Team Manager meets once a week for 2 to 3 hours, and as tournament approaches the team may decide to add additional practice time. The time requirement may vary by age, challenge chosen, and the competitive ambitions of the team.

Teams placing at their Regional Tournament will advance to the State Tournament in April and teams placing at State will advance to Global Finals at the end of May.

How do I form a team?

Teams can be formed in many ways, but as the volunteer Team Manager, you can decide how you want your team to form. You can have a single grade team, or a multi-age team. You can select children by posting a flyer, or just recruiting children you may know. Some schools have information nights where children sign up. There are NEVER any try-outs. Anyone can be on a team as long as there is someone willing to manage them.

How much does DI cost?

• Team Membership: $99 to $195 (5 pack vs. 1 pack), often paid by PTA or school.
• Practice and Challenge materials: Average of $250, DI emphasizes using inexpensive materials
• Regional Tournament Registration: $0 to $100 (Depending on Region)
• Regional T-shirts and Pins (Optional) $30/team member.
• That totals: $80 – $110 per team member for a minimum of 16, 1 hour sessions.  (Most DI teams meet more time than this!) State and Global participation will increase this cost.

Compare that to:

• Scouting: $95.00 per year, plus camp costs, and the selling of cookies or popcorn to finance troop.
• Piano lessons: $20 for ½ hour: 16 hours for $640.00
• Girls on the Run: $135.00 per person
• PTA sponsored after school enrichment: $15 an hour.
• Hockey: $975 per player per year
• Field Hockey: $300 per player per year
• Soccer:  $125 per player per year (non-competitive) (uniform not included)
• CHSSA Fees per school: ranges from  $850 to a high of $3,500.