Destination Imagination - Iowa State University

Our trip (with our team of seven 5th graders who won at state competition in California) to Iowa State University for the World Competition was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The professional laser and multimedia show was so exciting. The university campus there is gigantic. I pictured a small college in the middle of a corn field. Instead, I found a beautiful lush campus, that was much larger and more extensive than UC Davis in California.

Quick Tips:

Our trip took place in May. The weather was mild and pleasant and not cold like the winters there. It rained on only one of the 5 days.

Best Way To Get Around:

We rented vans at the Des Moines Airport and otherwise stayed on campus during our time there. Their bus system at the campus was very good.

These were modern dorm rooms with showers and bathrooms across the hall. They were comfortable and convenient. The dining hall was in the building next door. Each floor had a conference room where our group could practice their competition.

This was your typical dorm food. Nothing more..nothing less. Unfortunately as with those buffet restaurants I tend to overeat. After returning to California, I had gained 4 pounds (in 5 days)!

This world class event was nothing less than world class. There were something like 40 states and 10 other countries competing. There was a fantastic opening ceremony, on a smaller scale, but with the same idea as the Olympics. It included the multimedia and music set to it with laser and various dignitaries speaking as well as a parade of groups representing different states and countries around the auditorium.
On subsequent days, the 2 main event competitions took place for each team. Our team chose the 'challenge' of Fruit Roller Coaster. It involved creating and building a 'roller coaster' that tennis balls could travel through at high rates of speed. Flexible plumbing pipe was used by our group along with a high-powered leaf blower to propel the balls through at 3 per second. The boys also had a skit they created and performed which centered around this mechanical gadget and a song they performed.
There are 5 other challenges that were performed by various teams. All together, there were like 1300 kids competing at this event ranging from 3rd grade and into college. If you're curious about this program, go to www.dini.org on the web.

Our team of 7 from California had the absolute time of their lives in Iowa. One of our 7 had his first plane ride ever. That was fun for all of us to watch him on the United flight to Denver. Our boys got an early taste of dorm living. They are all quite good in school and we figure the 5 night stay in the dorms will give them a good experience for the future. Their favorite thing was the C store (where snacks are sold) and the game room next to it. Another fun activity for them to relax between competitions was the indoor swimming pool and racquetball facility. They spent a few afternoons there to unwind.
All in all, our team came in 4th out of 40 teams competing. We were so very proud of them. They did their personal best. We also got a chance to watch several other teams from around the country. There are some dynamite groups out there that inspired our boys for future competitions.

When we learned we won at the State level on April 1st, 2000 (fitting day), we felt both overjoyed and overwhelmed. The thought of having to raise about $12,000 in 6 weeks was numbing.
Due to some good leadership in our group of parents, all of the 7 boys parents and siblings hit the ground running. Car washes were planned and executed, a rummage sale took place, a very successful raffle, and letters to companies in the area went out. With a lot of effort by everyone, our group actually raised every single penny needed to send the 7 and their chaperones to Iowa! If you need advice on this, email me.. I've got some for you!