2020-21 Season FAQ Page

Adapting to the challenges caused by COVID-19, we’ll launch the 2020-21 season later than normal. We are re-developing our Challenges so they can be solved and scored fairly in a digital format for advancing through all levels of tournaments. We want to ensure that we deliver a high-quality product and our participants have a fantastic experience.

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

We are excited to announce that we will also be releasing the Engineering and Improv Challenges by December 1, 2020.

Yes, although the timeline is to be determined. We will announce these materials by email, blog and social as soon as they become available.

Situations will vary in different parts of the world due to COVID-19. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. As tournament dates are settled, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org.

Our Affiliates have been encouraged to offer all of this season’s Team Challenges. However, in special circumstances an Affiliate may need to temporarily suspend a particular Challenge for just one year. Contact your Affiliate Director for information on which Challenges will be offered locally.

Situations will vary in different parts of the world due to COVID-19. As always, our top priority is the safety of our participants and volunteers. Some tournaments will be 100% digital while others may incorporate an in-person celebration. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. As tournament types are settled, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org.

Because of  COVID-19, we cannot predict when this information will become available. As tournament types and dates are confirmed, they will be listed on DestinationImagination.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

The in-person events will be a safe, exciting and creative celebration for all teams. These decisions will be made by Affiliate leadership, with guidance from the DIHQ team. If an Affiliate is able to hold an in-person event, it will not look like a traditional DI tournament. These celebration events may look like a film festival where the team’s solutions are shown on a screen or the Affiliate in-person events may allow teams to answer questions live from the Appraisers after the team solutions are viewed. Teams will not be presenting their Challenge solutions in-person.

Yes, we will have Instant Challenges for our digital and in-person tournaments.

Most of our Affiliates plan to pre-record their digital tournaments, although they may include some live aspects like polling and messaging.

Teams will submit solutions via video and the Appraisers will review the videos to score the solutions. The solutions may or may not be appraised live depending on your Affiliate.

Yes, teams will have the opportunity to present their Team Challenge solutions and compete globally.

Planning for Global Finals 2021 will continue to evolve as we assess conditions. At this point, we have not made that decision. Rest assured that whatever format Global Finals 2021 takes it will be an amazing celebration for our participants. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. Check out our playlists from our virtual Global Finals 2020 Summer of Creativity and our in-person Global Finals 2019 to see how each event is creative, fun and an experience not to be missed. 

Updated 9/10/20: Planning for Global Finals 2021 will continue to evolve as we assess conditions. At this point, we have not made that decision.

We have added language to our Youth Protection Policy to address the use of the internet and virtual meeting tools and guidance as to how participants should be supervised while utilizing these tools.

Team Number(s) are not eligible for refunds or cancellations after November 1, 2020. Purchasing of a Team Number gives teams access to exclusive content and intellectual property of Destination Imagination, Inc., which cannot be undone or returned once accessed.

Background Check(s) are not eligible for refunds or cancellations. If an individual is not able to clear their Background Check, an additional Background Check must be purchased for any additional individuals to be checked. If an individual is concerned about prior incidents that may interfere with their Background Check, they should contact [email protected] before the Background Check has been purchased.

If the Challenge season faces a major disruption, Destination Imagination will work with all Purchasers to provide an alternative to regular tournament/use of Team Numbers.

Each adult responsible for a team and who will be working directly with participants when no other adults are present is required to have a background check.

If you are in the United States, we are able to waive the requirement IF your background check meets the following criteria: it is a Level 3 Complete Check, it was processed by Sterling Volunteers, and it will remain effective/eligible through May 30, 2021. If your background check meets these criteria, please see this document for directions on how to share your report with DIHQ.

If your background check does not meet these criteria, then, yes, you will need to get a background check. As a youth-serving organization, it is imperative for us to have a 100% verifiable and standardized background check on file for all Team Managers. We are unable to independently verify that school districts’ background checks are up to date and meet the standard of the checks we require through Sterling Volunteers. For that reason, we must require that all Team Managers be background checked using our system.

Please refer to our Team Manager Background Check FAQ PDF.