Thousands of young people in all 50 states and over 40 countries compete in Destination Imagination. DI is a community-based, non-profit, volunteer-driven educational organization. It teaches students from elementary through university level the important skills needed for success in the global environment.

Students learn the processes of Creative Problem Solving through teamwork. Teams are comprised of seven members of the same age group and supervised by an adult team manager, often a parent or teacher.

Teams may be organized within public and private schools, youth groups such as Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, or home school affiliates.

DI team members solve challenges that are designed to foster critical and creative thinking.

Through teamwork, students develop mutual self-respect, collaborative techniques, and leadership skills. Students hone research and inquiry skills in order to successfully solve the problems presented in their challenge of choice. This is a wonderful program for students to participate in and for community businesses and organizations to support.

Competition in Ohio begins with the regional tournament. Winning at the region enables teams to progress to state competition from which they may advance to the Global Finals.

These are held at the University of Tennessee in May. An estimated 250,000 individuals and nearly 50,000 adult volunteers will participate worldwide.

Meadowbrook High School is the site for the Region 17 tournament that encompasses southeastern Ohio.

It will be held on March 21 beginning at 8 a.m. This year, the state tournament will be held at Dublin Coffman High School on April 25.

If your son, daughter, grandchild or neighbor is creative and would like to be involved in DI, contact Cinda Weisgerber at 740-695-3128.

Cinda is the director for both Region 17 and the Ohio affiliate. Interested parties can also receive further information at idodi.org.