How the NYDI Season Works
New York students can participate in Destination Imagination in a couple of different ways. If you’re looking for fun, creative challenges for kids or team-building activities for older students without a big time commitment, check out these fun DI activities you can do right at home!
For New York students who want to form an official team and present their Solutions at Destination Imagination tournaments, each annual season looks something like this:
Tournament Season Schedule
Level 1:
Regional TournamentsEarly March
Every New York DI team can register to participate in a Regional Tournament. We run two Regional Tournaments each year that typically take place in March. Top teams are selected based on the DI scoring system to advance to the next level. You can find out what region you’re in for Regional Tournaments here. To register for the next Regional Tournament, Step 1 is to form a team with a Team Manager who is 18 or older. Then, your team will be able to register for tournaments.
Level 2:
State/Affiliate TournamentLate March or Early April
The top teams that earn the highest scores at our Regional Tournaments are invited to present their creative Solutions again at our statewide Affiliate Tournament! The New York Affiliate tournament is typically held in April. Teams participate in a brand new Instant Challenge at this tournament in addition to presenting their Challenge Solution. Top teams are awarded medals and teams with the highest scores are invited to represent New York at Global Finals!
Level 3:
Global FinalsLate May
Global Finals is the culminating event of every DI season. This tournament is truly epic; the highest-scoring teams from more than 30 countries are invited to present Solutions, take on advanced Instant Challenges, and cheer on teams from across the globe. This tournament is run by our umbrella organization, Destination Imagination,Inc., and we are proud that New York teams advance to this level every year—with some placing in the Top 10 in the world!
What are DI Tournaments Like?
DI tournaments are a lot of fun and are designed to be healthy and supportive competitions. These events are welcoming to any and all students who want to solve one of this year’s Challenges! Parents, teachers, Team Managers, and members of the public can all attend our tournaments to watch and cheer on the teams. Volunteer Appraisers score teams in a way that celebrates what they’ve done well, while offering constructive tips to help them go even further next year.
Rising Stars! participants in grades K-2 are non-competitive in tournaments but are invited to present their Solutions. Grades 3-12 are competitive and can advance to any tournament level. Each year, at least one New York team knocks it out of the park and is invited to attend Global Finals—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present for and cheer on DI teams from around the world.
Sounds Like an Amazing Experience!
Students who participate in DI stick with the program for 5 years on average because they love it so much. It’s a program that grows with students as they grow older. Each year challenges teams’ problem-solving and technical skills in new and fun ways, continuing to expand their imaginations.
Students who participate in DI often say that the experience has helped them:
Build confidence and self esteem
Learn to work collaboratively on a team
Develop critical thinking skills
Discover a new hobby or interest
Stay academically and creatively challenged
Find a community of students with similar interests
Participating in the official tournament season is a real commitment—just like a sport or other club—and the teams that stick with it often can’t wait to do it again!
Sold. How Do We Join?
Step 1:
form a teamThis process involves getting a group of 2 to 7 students together, designating a dedicated Team Manager who is 18 or older, completing a few forms, and paying the season fee for a Team Kit (one fee for the whole team). Team Managers will also be prompted to complete a background check, which is included in the cost of the Team Kit.
Most teams complete this registration process by October so they can make the most of the season and feel great presenting at a Regional Tournament.
Step 2:
Register for your Regional TournamentYou will be able to register for tournaments online through your DI account once you have formed a team, received a team number, and created an account.
I Still Have Questions!
Our FAQs are very detailed and a great place to start. You can also use the Help Assistant on the Destination Imagination, Inc. website (purple chat icon in the bottom right) or contact our team. With any questions related to your team registration, Team Kit, or background check, we recommend using the Help Assistant on the Destination Imagination, Inc. website because our umbrella organization manages this part of the process.
NYDI is a Nonprofit Powered by Volunteers
There’s a lot that goes into running a statewide Affiliate of DI, especially in a state as large and diverse as New York. Our Board of Trustees is made up of volunteers who dedicate many hours to running this program every year because we have experienced firsthand how DI changes lives.
There are big and small ways you can get involved with NYDI! You can lead a team, serve as an Appraiser (score team presentations), sign up to be a tournament volunteer, build a DI program at your school, donate to NYDI, or become a sponsor. Anything you contribute will help us grow a future generation of New Yorkers who:
- Are global citizens
- Think outside the box
- Can work together to solve our world’s most complex challenges
Ways to Get Involved
