Welcome to World Finals!

1. Welcome to World Finals! We are now one team – COLORADO

2. Agenda • Registration • Parents’ Roles • Getting You & Your Props To Iowa State University • Arriving on Campus • International Event • Opening Ceremonies • Float & Banner Parade • Coaches & Officials Problem • Closing Ceremonies • Creativity Festival • Pins and T-Shirt Trading • Fund Raising

3. Registration • Team • Due 2 weeks after Association Finals – April 26th • Sooner the better – please don’t delay if you know you are going • Scheduling Considerations • Online and save $100 • Housing • Due 2 weeks after Association Finals – April 26th • Sooner the better – please don’t delay if you know you are going • To stay on campus or not stay? • Payment • Due May 1st • 50% refund after May 1st; 0% after May 9th • Tournament Schedule • Tentative – May 6th – 8th • Final – May 10th

4. Parents’ Roles • You Decide • No right answer for every team • Depends on your comfort level • Set expectations early • Publicity • Fund Raising Event per Family • Logistics • T-Shirt & Pin Ordering • Forms • Spontaneous Practice • Excursions • Coaches & Officials Meeting • Coaches Recovery Party/Division Party for the team

5. Travelling to Iowa • Team • Flights to Des Moines • Airport Transfers – Odysseyofthemind.com>World Finals>Getting to Campus • Driving to Ames • Props • Shipping Companies; UPS; FedEx Ground • Packing Props = Not considered Outside Assistance • You can do this, please! Prop Shipping Label • Make arrangements for them to arrive by May 23rd • Will be delivered to a storage area near your competition site. • Make arrangements for their return home

6. Arriving On Campus • Check In at Registration – International Center • Team Packet • Housing Packet • Forms Stations • And more… • Housing Check In • Room Assignments • Meal Bands • Coaches Meeting • A Must! • Parent(s) available to watch the team

7. International Event • Buddy Teams • Not required to speak a foreign language • Email is a great tool • See and support each other’s performances • Usually one excursion together • Most trade cultural gifts with each other • Many stay in touch long after World Finals • Homestay Program • Usually 3-4 days; stay in the homes of American families associated with Odyssey of the Mind • International team is responsible for travel to/from homestay location • International teams are expected to pay own personal expenses • Host provides lodging, meals and some planned activities

8. Opening Ceremonies • Similar to Olympics • One team member from each team to represent CO • Will meet at Hilton Coliseum tunnel at 6:45 • Sit on floor with me • Block of seats for Colorado teams • Spectators sit elsewhere in arena • Tickets free, but required • Wear your t-shirt • Meet up with you afterwards to return team member

9. Float & Banner Parade • Participation is optional, but really fun! • 2nd night • Outside Assistance Allowed

10. Coaches & Officials Problem • Participation is optional, but can be hilarious! • Humor for older kids at heart • Team members can help you  • 3rd Night

11. Closing Ceremonies • Will sit together in the arena • Spectators seated elsewhere in arena • Tickets required, but is free and everyone is welcome • Spectators will need to pick up tickets the morning of Closing Ceremonies

12. Creativity Festival • Hands On Activities for kids of all ages • Sponsored by each association • Starts at 12 noon on Day 1 and Runs through Day 3 at noon • Staffed by team volunteers and scheduled around long term performance • Creativity Festival Booth Coordinator team receives one complimentary housing package

13. Pin Trading…IT’S REALLY BIG!

14. Colorado Pins

15. Pins, T-Shirts & Opening Ceremonies

16. Minion Hats?

17. Fund Raising • Sources: • World Finals Housing Grant • Start with your PTO and school districts for any available funds – emphasize how Odyssey develops 21st century skills, STEM & Common Core • Corporate sponsors are best sought through employees • Local sponsors like to support the community – be sure to return the favor • Chain restaurants sponsoring proceeds from one day/night of sales • Mother’s Day sales – flowers, nurseries, spa packages • Events at the school • Things to Keep In Mind: • It will likely come in small amounts, but it will add up • Ask for a specific amount; keep track and send thank you notes • Generate news and press; make it easy for them to run a story • Other ideas that have worked? Words of wisdom…

18. Future Events & Communication • The Role of Spontaneous at WF • Spontaneous Workshop – May 18th 1:00 – 5:00 pm • Openings Ceremonies delegation – due May 18th • Team member for Float & Banner – due May 18th • Item to wear/carry for Opening Ceremonies • Creativity Festival Volunteers • Colorado Team Schedule • Contact Info at Iowa State University • Cell Phone • Text Messaging

19. Where To Find More Information

20. Some Final Thoughts • Have fun and enjoy the experience – it is so awesome! • Scoring and judges • Support Colorado teams; check the schedule – there is nothing like hearing the roar of a large crowd and seeing a sea of Colorado Odyssey shirts in the audience! • Watch the Odyssey website: www.odysseyofthemind.com • Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloradoodyssey • Prepare for weather • Plan outside trips carefully. Have extra adults with you to help if you go • Coaches Recovery Party – Go and have fun, the kids are ready to have fun on their own –hint, hint • Parents Responsibilities • Coaches Responsibilities

21. Pin Trading & Creativity Festival • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp2OyKLmw5I