Odyssey of the Mind

Planning for our regional tournament is underway, and we strive to make this a memorable experience for all participants. We have an urgent need for Primary Problem judges. This is a non-competitive division with our students in grades K-2. It would be approximately a half-day commitment. If your team has not provided a judge yet, please work on recruiting one.

We are also in need of volunteers for the day. Volunteers are needed for help with registration, sales, information booths and a variety of other tasks, to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly.

Please keep in mind that our tournaments run smoothly thanks in large part to the dedicated judges and volunteers. **Each team is responsible for providing 1 judge and 1 volunteer.**

Only 1 team has provided a volunteer, and only 9 teams have provided a judge. See below for registration links and please work on recruiting for these important positions.

Check out our website regularly for updated information - https://sites.google.com/questar.org/q3odyssey/home

Today, Wednesday February 15, is the last day to submit team specific clarification.

Also, please make sure your email information is correct. Teams advancing to the State Finals will be notified by email, and incorrect information may delay this notification. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Register to judge at the regional tournaments below:

Region 4 Questar III BOCES: click HERE

Training will be coordinated by each Head Judge and will be communicated as soon as it is scheduled.

Coach Training Part 2 - what to expect at competition, what is needed, scores etc., etc.

Recording Available

Recording - click HERE

Slide Deck - click HERE

Successful tournaments depends on volunteers. Please keep in mind that all teams are required to provide a volunteer for the day. Assignments can include registration, merchandise, door keepers, score runners and more. Volunteers can register below:

Region 4: click HERE

For more information on available Odyssey scholarships, visit the links below:

NYSOMA Scholarship: https://www.nyodyssey.org/post/apply-for-a-2023-nysoma-scholarship

COU Scholarships:

1. Harold Kurtz Scholarship are available to high school seniors.

https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ and click on 'Scholarships + Housing Grants' for details

2. The Emerging Alumni Award recognizes high school sophomores and juniors who are currently competing or who have competed and are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. The application deadline is February 15th https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ and click on 'Alumni + Booster' for details.

3. The Alumni Ambassador Award recognizes alumni who have competed, are between the ages of 18-25, and who are involved in giving back to Odyssey of the Mind in extraordinary ways. Activities such as judging, organizing tournaments, coaching teams, or coordinating activities with regional or state associations would qualify an applicant. The recipient will represent and assist Creative Opportunities Unlimited and OdysseyAlumni at World Finals at the Creativity Festival, Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Graduation Ceremony, and other activities. The award will cover room and board at World Finals in the same accommodations as Odyssey of the Mind officials as well as a $250 travel stipend. More details and instructions for application can be found at https://www.creativeopportunities.org/ Then click on 'Alumni + Booster' and scroll down. The application deadline is February 15th.

Coach Training was held on Tuesday November 29. If you were unable to attend, a recording and the presentation slides are below.

Coach Training Video

Presentation Slides

The Program Guide is updated each year. Please be sure to read through the 2022-23 Program Guide for any important changes. You can read the online version HERE or download a copy of it.

You can find brief descriptions of the 2022-23 Long Term Problems HERE. To get the full problem information, you must register your school and teams.

Questar III will be holding the Region 4 Tournament on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Coxsackie-Athens CSD (snow date March 26, 2023). We are anticipating a fully in-person tournament, but that is subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances.

The State Tournament will be held on April 15, 2023 at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Please note that spring break in our region runs from April 7-April 14. This date is final, please feel free to share with families to allow for any travel plans that families may make.

You can find a list of hotels that offer a special rate for Odyssey of the Mind teams. The deadline for this rate has been extended to March 31.

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Maureen Hall Squier, Director - maureen.squier@questar.org

Julie Applegate, Tournament Director - applegatej@cacsd.org

Kimberly Harris, Administrative Assistant - kharris@questar.org

Website: https://sites.google.com/questar.org/q3odyssey/home
Location: 10 Empire State Boulevard, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, USA
Phone: 518.479.6976