Letter from Our Executive Director & Board of Trustees

Letter from Our Executive Director and BOT on 2020-21 Season

Dear DI Family,

We hope that you are staying healthy, cool and creative during what will be remembered as “Quarantine Summer.” Summer 2020 will also be remembered as featuring Destination Imagination’s first Virtual Global Finals! We received 2,200 submissions across our Team Challenge Showcase, Virtual Team Challenge and Instant Challenge categories! It was an incredible experience to witness the innovative solutions that our kids developed. It takes more than COVID-19 to stop our DI kids!

Now, for the next chapter. As you might imagine, the staff at DIHQ has been laser focused on reimagining the 2020-21 Challenge season to bring our participants an outstanding experience that will enable students to stay safe, creative and connected. 

We love to see kids thrive, and our new Challenges will provide project-based learning in a competitive environment where students will be able to work together like never before. The Challenges will help kids with:

  • Problem-solving
  • Creativity
  • Collaboration
  • Communication

As always, our top priority is the safety of our participants and volunteers, and our Challenge season will reflect that. As many school districts are beginning to announce plans for the fall, we understand that situations will vary in different parts of the world. Some tournaments will be 100% digital while others may incorporate an in-person celebration. The in-person celebrations will have a new and different format. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. As tournament types and dates are settled, they will be listed on the Destination Imagination website.

Teams will compete, be ranked and advance through Regional, Affiliate and Global competition levels. Planning for Global Finals 2021 will continue to evolve, as we continually assess conditions, with confidence that teams will have the opportunity to present their Team Challenge solutions and compete globally.

Due to the challenges caused by COVID-19, the 2020-21 season will launch later than normal.

The following materials will be available on November 1, 2020:

  • Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Service Learning and Early Learning Challenges
  • Roadmap
  • Rules of the Road
  • Instant Challenge Practice Set

The Engineering and Improv Challenges will be released on December 1.

Team Numbers and Background Checks for the 2020-21 season are available for purchase NOW on the DI Store. More information about products and pricing can be found on our Plan Your Team page.

Destination Imagination is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generous support of donors, like you, to continue inspiring youth all over the world to achieve anything they can imagine in life. If you want to help DI continue to build more resilient kids and communities, please make a tax-deductible donation HERE.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate the creative landscape for next season. We look forward to you joining us for a new and exciting season of Destination Imagination!

Stay Healthy. Stay Creative.

Louise Liddle                      Michele Tuck-Ponder
Board Chair                         Executive Director