Going to Globals

So in less than 4 days, 10,000+ people of all ages will descend upon Knoxville, Tennessee for Destination ImagiNation Global Finals 2010. In fact, some teams and volunteers have already started their journey.

I have been packing my equipment and planning out my days at Globals. There appears to be around 45 states represented!

I’ll be heading out on Tuesday morning at the wee hour of 5:30. It’s not that long of a drive for me, 3 1/2 to 4 hours! A volunteer I was talking with has a 14-16 hour drive!

Starting on Tuesday, look for updates about the event. For each night I will try to have a couple of posts about the different things I’ve seen or done.  I’ll be posting my favorite pins on Thursday. There will be an all out hunt for the Chinese, Polish, Brazilian, U.K., and Floridian pins.

Wednesday night kicks off Global Finals with the Opening Ceremony. The following three days are filled with team presentations, expo events, DI eXtreme, Graduation, TM&O, and then finally Closing Ceremonies!

We will be wrapping production for the documentary upon the conclusion of Globals. The blog will be updated with the progress of the film throughout the summer. Videos will return in mid-June.

Also starting in June, I will begin to reveal the teams I have been working with for the film. Check back tomorrow for my final post about the crazy hat.

Top Ten Things to See at Globals

So you are going to Global Finals? Don’t know what to do? Well here is my top ten list of events to check out while you are there! These are listed in no particular order.

1. The TM&O Challenge: This is by far the funniest thing I’ve seen! Just imagine team managers and officials going absolutely crazy in costumes while they present their Challenge Solution. A great aspect about the TM&O, is that it’s sponsored by DISC. The Destination ImagiNation Supoort Committee uses the TM&O to help raise scholarship funds for High School Seniors and College students participating in DI. Everyone can check out this event.

2. 3M Challenge: I had the pleasure of following a team through the 3M Challenge last year and it was a blast! Only Secondary Level and Middle Level teams were allowed to participate last year and it was very secretive.  Each group sported three teams tasked with the challenge of overcoming three disasters. Upon completing those tasks or failing the teams then had to work together to stop a mudslide from flattening a village. This years sounds to be just as amazing.

3. Improv Fiesta: Oh Boy! This event is for all ages. In several different venues teams can present improv skits and songs or play improv games. This normally takes place in the Presidential Courtyard. There  are several stages and the event is a blast! DI Alumni and UL teams help run these events as well.

4.  DI For Life Camps: All of the DI Camps at Globals are unlike any camp/workshop you will ever attend. Participants get a crash course in creativity and team work. The Notorious Family Camp is one of my favorites. Families can sign up together and go through the camp. What a great way to get the parents directly involved!

5.  Box and Ball Costume Ball: Party time! Need I say more? Great way to end the night with a party? Teams come dressed is creative costumes, most of which are fashioned from duct tape! This year the Box and Ball Costume Ball will be held at Thompson-Boling Arena.

6. DI eXtreme: DI eXtreme ain’t your momma’s DI. Most of the rules that apply to the five Central Challenges don’t apply for DI eXtreme Teams. The eXtreme challenge solutions are put together on the spot within 24 hours of competing! Secondary and University Level teams can only participate in this challenge, but it’s fun for everyone to watch!

7. Pin trading…anywhere: You can’t go to Globals and not Pin trade. Pin trading happens everywhere! On the bus, street, dinner, you name it. Even the Police have pins to trade. Every year there are some amazing designs. My personal favorites are the Phoenix pins and International Pins. I am looking for Poland and Brazil this year!

8.  Registration at TRECS: While this may sound boring….it’s definitely not for the kids! There are a plethora of games set up. It’s a great mixer to meet other teams waiting to get their event passes…and of course to trade some more of those pins!

9. Team Challenges!: You really need to check out Challenges other than your own. Everyone has worked really hard on their solution and it’s a great way to learn about the other challenges. I absolutely love to watch Challenge C and Challenge D and as a team, I always competed in Challenge A.  It’s a real nail biter to watch all the Challenge E teams pile weight onto their structures.

10. Opening/Closing Ceremonies: Last but not least. You have to check out Opening Ceremonies. Odds are…you are already going! The night starts off with the parade of national and international Affiliates. Then some speakers, videos and a laser light show. The Closing ceremonies are just as much fun!

On Friday, look for a new video! Starting on Monday, I will be posting every other day as Globals approaches. While at Globals I will attempt to post everyday, but we will have to see!

Going to Globals? Some fun fundraising ideas.

So, you are advancing to Globals? Congratulations! The next mountain you need to climb might be funds. I have compiled a list of fun and interesting ideas I have heard over the years about raising money.

1. Flamingo Fiesta: (this is by far my favorite fundraiser I’ve heard of) For a donation, teams extensively decorate willing homes with the bright pink flamingos! After a day or weekend, the team cleans up the flamingos and moves on to the next house.

2. Pledges: Have a teacher or principle pledge to do something crazy like shave their head or kiss a goat in front the school if a certain amount of money is raised.

3. Restaurants: Approach a restaurant and see if they will donate a percentage of their sales for a day to the team or program.

4. Car Wash: Okay, so car washes are iffy sometimes. One of the best places, I have ever done a car wash was at a golf course. You have people who can go play golf and when they return, their car is washed. We did this for a sports team and did very well.

5. Yard Sale: You can always have a yard sale and an auction. Auction off the team to do chores around the yard, like mowing lawns (kids will need to be a little older though).

6. Bake Sale/Concessions: Of course you can always have an ever popular bake sale or sell concessions at a school event.

Got any more ideas? Share them!

Instant Challenge Tips!

Only five days until the Tidewater Regional! As teams polish their work, we’re putting together our gear. We just want to wish everyone good luck!  You’ve all worked so hard!

Here are a few tips for preparing for Instant Challenge.

1. Practice…Practice…practice. With only a few days or weeks left practice IC’s that your team might be weak at.

2. Teamwork. Remember, you’ve all worked together to create long term challenges. The IC is no different.

3. Read the Directions! Make sure during the read through and completing the challenge that you stay aware of what the challenge is asking for.

4. HAVE FUN!!!!!!

Getting Ready for Regionals? Here’s six tips…

Here’s a six tips for the big day!

1. Get there early! You want to leave enough time to check in, find the challenge site and unload props!

2. Make sure your team has completed all the paperwork and has the required amount of copies!

3. Bring a bag of tools for props, costumes or set pieces that might need some touching up after traveling. You might pack: duct tape, hot glue gun, hot glue, hammer, screw driver, first aide kit, etc..You never know what could happen!

4. Be prepared for delays! Sometimes performances can get behind schedule! This just means the Appraisers are working really hard and want consider each team equally.

5. Need to pass the time between Instant Challenge, Central Challenge and awards? Watch other team’s performances! You’ve spent all year working on your challenge solution and I bet you are proud to show off your stuff, and so does everyone else! When you have the chance, go watch another challenges and age groups. You’ll be amazed at what everyone else came up with!

Also, depending on the Tournament, there might be other fun activities to check out too! You might be able to pick up some really cool DI gear!

6. Smile and have fun!!! Even if everything goes wrong, you still made it to competition! You stretched your imagination, hung out with some really cool people and learned new skills. Enjoy the day!

Hopefully these are helpful for you!
Good luck and have fun!!!!

What is DI you ask?

Destination ImagiNation is a creative problem solving competition where students from preschool to college learn  problem solving skills, creativity, and teamwork.

Here is a quick clip about what DI means to some of the DI participants from around Virignia.