Get Involved

Parents Are Vital to Odyssey of the Mind Success
Parents play a critical role in supporting their teams. From driving carpools to cheering on creativity, here’s how you make a difference:
 Carpool Coordination: Ensuring team members arrive on time for sessions and practices.
 Snack Support: Offering to bring snacks or contributing to pizza costs.
 Scavenger Hunt Pros: Opening closets and garages to help find materials for props and costumes.
 Patience and Encouragement: Waiting while the team tidies up, postponing dinner for “one last prop,” and cheering from the sidelines as the team creates their masterpiece.
Your involvement helps build an inspiring, fun, and creative experience for the team!

Support Your Coach

Be the Spontaneous Coach
 Help the team practice spontaneous problems to develop teamwork and quick-thinking skills.
 Attend regional training workshops to learn effective methods.

Be a Great Team Parent
 Assist with transportation and follow coach instructions for practice and competition schedules.
 Help carry props in and out of buildings and promptly move vehicles from loading zones.
 Supervise younger siblings and ensure everyone respects tournament rules and restricted areas.
 Bring a positive attitude and sense of humor to competition day.

Support the State Tournament
The Odyssey of the Mind State Board relies on the incredible efforts of parents, family, and friends to make tournaments run smoothly. The State Tournament requires over 100 judges and 100 volunteers to ensure a fair and exciting event. Each team advancing to the state tournament must provide:
 One Judge
 One Volunteer

Be a State Tournament Judge
 Judges must complete regional training, judge at a regional tournament, and commit to judging all day at the State Tournament.
 Judges will not be assigned to problems their children are competing in to ensure fairness.
 Judges will receive a continental breakfast, lunch, and an official T-shirt as a thank-you for their time.

 You will not be able to watch your team’s long-term performance.
Your Region Problem Captain will provide details on how to register and the State Judges Coordinator and State Problem Captains will assign judges to teams.

Be a State Tournament Volunteer
 Volunteers commit to a 2-hour time slot on the day of the tournament.
 Roles may include Team Registration, Judges Check in, Odyssey Souvenir Sales, Tournament Help Desk, competition site Doorkeeper, or assisting in the Score Room.
 Assignments will not conflict with your team’s long-term performance so you will be able to watch them perform.
Please inform your coach and register as a volunteer. The Volunteer Coordinator will provide specific duties and time slots.

Thank You!
Your time, enthusiasm, and willingness to pitch in ensure that Odyssey of the Mind remains a rewarding and enriching experience for every team. Whether driving carpools, coaching spontaneous problems, judging, or volunteering, your contributions create lasting memories for the team.