Is NYDI Right For My Kid?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 65% of today’s students will be employed in jobs that are not yet invented. Whether your child is passionate about science, the arts, public service, or technology, two skills that will prepare them for whatever the future holds: creativity and innovation. Young people can only develop these skills when they have the space to imagine freely, create unapologetically, and tackle complex challenges experimentally. This is the opportunity that Destination Imagination provides and hundreds of thousands of DI alumni in New York and worldwide will tell you this program has changed their lives.
The best thing about DI is that kids with all kinds of interests and personality types can contribute, hoan their strengths, and really shine. While sitting in a classroom, playing team sports, and other more well-known activities aren’t the right fit for every student, DI is a program that any kid can succeed at—as long as they’re committed to showing up and contributing to their team.
"My son tried all sorts of sports and clubs, never really fitting in. Then DI came along and he shone. It was something he loved and was good at. It gave him teammates, who have become lifelong friends. It gave him confidence. It gave him pride. Without DI he would still be floundering looking for his "thing.” Now he is studying physics at a college he never would have dreamed of applying to. He is involved in programs there that he loves. And best of all, he is teaching other students and professors how to build things—because he discovered that most other physics majors don’t know how to use power tools (or really any tools!) correctly. And he has used his Instant Challenge skills in many group activities and interviews, emerging as a leader."- Jean Masman, DI Parent and Team Manager
What Will My Kid Get Out of DI?
DI participants consistently share that it is one of the most memorable and formative parts of their education. They describe it as unlike anything they’ve ever experienced or thought possible before, and they love competing against teams from around the world and making lifelong friends in the process.
Independent research has shown that students who participated in the activities and tournaments provided by DI outperform comparable students on assessments measuring creative thinking, critical thinking, and collaborative problem solving.
Students in grades K-12 and college who participate in DI learn:
Self Confidence
Creative & Critical Thinking
Team Building
Problem Solving
Risk Taking
Project Management
Perserverance
Leadership
As a parent, there’s a lot of pressure to teach our children the skills that will set them up for success in life. Let us take some of the pressure off; you don’t have to do it alone! DI is an affordable, accessible program designed to support your child’s passions, creativity, and intellect. It’s also a chance for you to get an exclusive peek into their daily life, see how they interact with their peers, and watch them learn and grow.
Every committed DI team gets to experience making magic.
Quiet kids come alive performing. Kids who like things their own way realize how much better their ideas are with input from their teammates. And if your child hasn’t found his or her “thing” yet? No problem. DI will introduce them to a wide range of ideas, skills, and activities. No matter what Challenge they choose to solve, there’s something for everyone. Even the most technical and scientific Challenges need storytellers, costume makers, and prop builders!
Hear it from our alumni:
Why Participate in DI? One DI Kid's College Application Essay
While thinking of what DI has done for me... - A Poem
For an even better understanding of our program, check out what our awesome alumni are up to and learn more about how the season works.
