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Destination Imagination Ontario ®
GTA REGIONAL
CREATIVITY FESTIVAL AND TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY February 25, 2017
9:45 am - 5:00 pm
St. Basil-the-Great College School
20 Starview Lane, North York, ON
Hello Teams, Team Managers and Co-ordinators!
It’s just a few more days until the 2017 GTA Regional Tournament and we hope that your teams are ready to
dazzle us with their creativity!
We would like to thank the Toronto Catholic District School Board for again hosting our GTA Regional
Tournament at St. Basil-the-Great College School.
The tournament committee is hard at work finishing all of the last minute preparations to ensure that the day
will be a fantastically fun and exciting experience for everyone!
WHAT YOUR TEAM NEEDS TO KNOW OR DO BEFORE TOURNAMENT DAY
HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR REGISTRATION FEE??
PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR TEAM WILL BE SCHEDULED TO PERFORM BY MAILING IN YOUR
REGISTRATION FEES IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE
NOT DONE SO.
In preparation for the tournament, teams should read and re-read the Rules of the Road, as well as their
team’s Challenge so they are sure that they are meeting all of the requirements of both. Another valuable
reference is the TRAVEL GUIDE FOR TEAMS, which provides useful information in preparing for the
tournament. It may be downloaded at:
https://www.destinationimagination.org/wp-content/uploads/16-17TravelGuideForTeams.pdf.
CLARIFICATIONS – If your team has a team specific clarification, please remember to have them bring a
printed copy to tournament. The Appraisal teams will have copies of both published and team-specific
clarifications, but teams should make sure they check for all up-to-date clarifications before they arrive at the
tournament.
https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/clarifications/
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IMPORTANT
ALL TEAM MANAGERS AND VOLUNTEERS MUST SIGN OUR CODE OF CONDUCT.
If you have not done so, please follow the Volunteer Code of Conduct link at:
https://resources.destinationimagination.org/resources.php/auth/account/conduct
If you do not have an account, please click on “create an account” at the link above and accept the Code of
Conduct. Team Managers, please ensure that any adult co-Team Managers and Volunteers have accepted
the Code of Conduct. There will be a limited supply of forms available at registration for those who have been
unable to access the online version.
TOURNAMENT PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE
Due to the enormous amount of paper waste we generate each year and in keeping with making our planet a
greener and healthier place to live, we are continuing our “green” initiatives. Please take note of the following
important reminders and circulate them to your teams and their families.
There will be NO PRINTED TOURNAMENT PROGRAM AND SCHEDULE. I have attached a copy of the
tournament schedule.
Team Managers, you may also visit our website at http://www.diontario.org/ to access the TOURNAMENT
Program & Schedule for download. Parents will also be able to download the schedule from the website after
Wednesday & print it themselves.
Helpful Hint for Team Managers: Please let your parents know what the NAME of your Challenge is, so that
they will be able to follow signs posted for that specific challenge (i.e. “We are doing the FINE ARTS
Challenge, which is called VANISHED! And our team is competing in the ELEMENTARY Level”).
COPIES OF THE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE WILL BE POSTED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE
SCHOOLS ON THE DAY OF TOURNAMENT.
Let’s all pitch in again to reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as we can from the tournament this year!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR TOURNAMENT DAY
PARKING
Parking is always at a premium (we are expecting over 300 students plus their families & friends) so arriving
early is sometimes a necessity to get a parking space.
Please remember that there are some areas around the schools that are designated Fire Routes. Parking is
NOT ALLOWED in these areas. These areas may be patrolled and cars illegally parked cars will be
ticketed. DI Ontario assumes no responsibility for cars parked illegally.
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REGISTRATION
Registration is open from 8:30 to 11:00 AM
Please plan on your students being at the tournament for registration between 8:30 – 9:00AM. Also, please
plan on students being there through the full day till Closing Ceremony finishes between 5:00 to 5:30PM.
One Team Manager (or a responsible adult) must check-in and register their teams when they arrive.
Team Managers should set up a specific time and place where they will meet their team members, depending
on performance times.
*Rising Stars teams perform at the end of the day and because of age don’t need to be there for the full day.*
What to Bring to Registration:
 All completed Media Release forms.
 Any outstanding unpaid registration fees
 Your team number, challenge and level (Elementary/Middle/Secondary)
There may be important information regarding your teams’ performance times, venues and Instant Challenge
site at Registration.
TEAM REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 11:00 AM FOR ALL TEAMS.
MEDIA RELEASE FORMS
A SIGNED MEDIA RELEASE IS REQUIRED FOR EACH TEAM MEMBER AND TEAM MANAGER. THESE
MUST BE HANDED IN AT REGISTRATION.
This form can be found at: http://www.diontario.org/media-release-form/
INTERACTIVE TEAM PAPERWORK AVAILABLE ONLINE
Team paperwork can be accessed online at https://www.destinationimagination.org/challenge-program/teamresources/. This saves the team considerable time as multiple copies of the forms can be printed up once
they have been completed.
CHECKER
TABLE
We will also have a LIMITED NUMBER OF HARD COPIES of all tournament forms
available at the “Checker Table”. Please remember that the team members must
complete these forms. Elementary Level teams may dictate the content of their forms
to their Team Manager who may complete them. For the Rising Stars, paperwork is
optional, but good practice. Please note that there will be NO access to a
photocopier on site, so it is a good idea to have the necessary number of copies of
each form with the team – and a spare set in the car!!
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TEAM ARRIVAL and CHECK-IN TIMES
After registration, all Teams should report to the appropriate PREP AREA at least 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO
THEIR SCHEDULED PERFORMANCE time, both for the Team Challenge and the Instant Challenge. This is
necessary so that we may keep as close to the schedule as possible and to allow for the resolution of any last
minute issues which may arise.
Challenge E STRUCTURE Teams:
 Must report to Structure Check-in at least 30 MINUTES prior to their performance time.
What to bring with you to the Prep Area (Central Challenge)
 All required team paperwork (5 completed copies of the Tournament Data Form, Expense Report, and
one Declaration of Independence signed by all team members). Please review your challenge to verify
if any other documentation is required.
 All props/costumes that will be used in your team’s performance.
 All team members must be present when speaking to the Prep Area Appraiser.
 A copy of any Challenge clarifications made by the team.
What to bring with you to Instant Challenge Check-In
 One Declaration of Independence signed by all team members.
 All team members and one Team Manager or responsible adult (no spectators!).
 No props or other devices are permitted.
Important Notice for ALL Teams: Teams will not be allowed to adjust the lighting at any performance site
due to safety concerns.
NAVIGATING THE TOURNAMENT SITES
We have assigned a unique colour to each Challenge for identification and signage. Posted throughout the
school building will be challenge-specific signs to assist you in finding your way around. Just look for the icon
that represents your challenge and follow the colour coordinated signs with arrows to arrive at your venue!!
.
We ask that you remember that there will be designated QUIET AREAS that are RESTRICTED to teams and
one Team Manager for Instant Challenge. Please follow the Yellow signs to the Instant Challenge area.
A map of the Tournament sites showing Challenge venues and Prop Storage areas is attached to this email.
There is also a table showing the colour designation for each Challenge and outlining Challenge venues and
Prop Storage areas.
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CHALLENGE VENUES
Challenge A: Technical - SHOW & TECH – Gym A
Challenge B: Scientific - TOP SECRET – Room 166
Challenge C: Fine Arts –VANISHED! – Theatre Room 144
Challenge D: Improvisational - 3-PEAT – Theatre Room 144
Challenge E: Engineering/Structural – IN IT TOGETHER – Gym B
Project Outreach - READY, WILLING & FABLE – Gym B
Rising Stars – SAVE THE DAY – Gym B
Instant Challenge Check-In – Stairwell near Room 106
Watching other teams performances is a great idea in between events, but we would suggest parents &
spectators line up at your team’s specific performance site about 10-15 min ahead of time, so you can get a
spot in the room to watch. Also keep in mind that spectators cannot enter a performance area while a team is
performing, so arriving early will ensure you do not miss your child’s performance.
PROPS, COSTUMES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT
Please take all props to the Challenge-specific Prop Storage Areas. Due to fire regulations, props may not
be left in hallways.
Please leave all props, costumes and other items that you require to solve your Challenges in the designated
areas until it is time to report to your challenge venue. Space in the holding areas is limited, so once you
have dropped off your child prior to their performance with the Team Manager we would ask that parents
leave the area.
The Prop Storage areas are not monitored and Destination Imagination is not responsible for any lost,
stolen or damaged items.
NOTE FOR FIRST TIME TEAMS AND TEAM MANAGERS:
Your team may be tempted to destroy props after their performance, if they feel that they did not do well. We
encourage you to have them keep all of the parts of their solution as scores are a combination of both Team
Challenge and Instant Challenge. In past, some teams have been very surprised at the end of tournament to
find that they had advanced to Provincials but they had already trashed their props.
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WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
After performing, PLEASE BE PREPARED TO TAKE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HOME WITH YOU,
INCLUDING PROPS, BACKDROPS, COSTUMES AND GARBAGE! This is in keeping with our Green
Initiative and prevents the accumulation of excess garbage at the schools.
Team Managers - Make sure that YOU have double-checked & ensured that your team has left their prep
space clean & tidy, with no garbage or props left behind!
INTERFERENCE
Just a friendly reminder to everyone that ONLY TEAM MEMBERS may contribute to their solutions. This
includes applying make-up, pinning costumes, combing or styling hair, assembling, repairing or touching-up
props, and anything else that would impact the outcome of the solution. Team Managers, parents, and/or
friends may assist teams in carrying props, sets, etc. to the Prep Areas and may help clear them away from
the performance venue after the appraisers have spoken with the teams. Any other assistance is considered
INTERFERENCE. Please have the teams refer to the Rules of the Road for more information about
interference. If teams are discovered to be in violation of the rules around interference a scoring deduction
may be assessed against the team.
INSTANT CHALLENGE
Each team is required to have ONE TEAM MANAGER (or RESPONSIBLE ADULT) accompany them AT ALL
TIMES IN THE HOLDING ROOM. This includes teams whose Team Managers will not be accompanying
them into the IC room. If the Team Manager is unavailable as they are supporting other teams, a substitute
responsible adult must be assigned to accompany the Instant Challenge team.
A note to the parents – No spectators are allowed to watch Instant Challenge performances -only 1 Team
Manager is allowed to watch. TM’s should give parents a time to meet prior to Instant Challenge and a time
for pick-up after in the “TaDa” Instant Challenge area – this is generally at the bottom of the stairway in the
main lobby, and the kids will generally do a Team “Cheer” and celebrate their hard work.
Please remember that all spectators must TURN OFF any of these items when entering the
Performance Venues (with the exception of taking photos/videos). We don’t want anything to
interfere with a team’s performance.
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SOUVENIR SALES
Come to SOUVENIR SALES (located in the main hallway near registration) and be one of the first to own this
year’s fabulous pin set and t-shirt!! There will also be a number of Destination ImagiNation items and t-shirts
and pins from other affiliates for sale.
FOOD SALES
This year we will have pizza for sale for lunch, as well as water, pop & chips & candy throughout the day.
It’s always a good idea to pack some extra food and lots of drinks for everyone. Extra granola bars,
sandwiches, and bottles of water may save the day, particularly if your team ends up with a performance time
near the lunch hour! Also, try to save a water bottle & a small snack to last until the Closing ceremonies, as
the kids (& parents) are often getting tired & thirsty by end of the day.
ALLERGY ALERT!!
Please keep in mind that some people suffer severe life-threatening reactions to both nuts and latex. We ask
that teams and their supporters do not bring peanuts, products containing nuts, and latex balloons to
tournament.
SAFETY
The well-being of our children is everyone’s concern. The schools will be open to the public for the entire
tournament. Parents and Team Managers are responsible for the children on their teams, as well as for
children who attend as spectators, AT ALL TIMES.
If parents are planning to leave during the day at any time please let TM’s know, so that they can ensure that
someone is watching their child. Parents who will be returning later in the day for a performance should plan
extra time to find parking, locate the performance site, etc. It would be a shame for a team member to have
spent all these months preparing for the tournament, and then miss their performance. The schedule is so
tight on tournament day that they will not allow a team to wait for a missing member!
SPECTATORS & PHOTOGRAPHY
Spectators will be admitted at no charge. All the Team Challenges are open to as many spectators as the
individual room will hold. Come on out and cheer for the Teams that have worked so hard to get here.
Recording (video, audio. photographs, etc.) of any kind during the Team Challenge is at the discretion of
the individual teams. Before each team performs, the announcer will indicate whether or not the team will
be allowing recording. Please respect the wishes of the teams.
Please do not try to enter or exit a challenge area while a team is performing. This can be very distracting for
the team and can affect their performance. Please keep chatter and distracting activities (eating, shuffling
around) to a minimum.
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FOOTWEAR
The Gymnasium will be the venue for several Challenges and the Closing Ceremonies. Please wear only
soft-soled shoes/athletic shoes to avoid having to remove your shoes in the gym. Wheeled shoes MUST
NOT be worn as they pose a safety risk due to the hard tile floors, the many staircases and the presence of
so many people in the school.
CLEANING UP IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY
Please pick up as you go - not only in the cafeteria, but wherever necessary -- this includes washrooms; other
areas used for costume changing and prop storage rooms. Please be courteous to our host school, and
leave all areas clean when your team has finished with them.
IF YOU BRING IT WITH YOU, TAKE IT HOME WITH YOU!!
THINK GREEN – REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE!
AWARDS CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION
WHERE: THE GYM
WHEN: Approximately 4:30 PM
We are planning to start the celebration with a slideshow of the day featuring our great teams!!! If you have
photos of the day, please feel free to share them with our Photography & Slideshow Volunteers.
All of the teams who are at Tournament have worked very hard for a long period of time to solve their
respective Challenges. Please have your teams show their team spirit and respect for the other teams
by staying for the entire Closing Ceremonies.
ADVANCING TO PROVINCIALS??
We encourage all teams who qualify to participate at the Provincial Creativity Festival and Tournament to be
held Sunday April 2, 2017 at University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. PLEASE discuss this with your
team in advance of the Regional Tournament.
Team Managers - If your team does not qualify to advance to Provincials, why not give Appraising a
try? We can arrange training for you before the Provincial Tournament!
Destination Imagination® Ontario | www.diontario.org | [email protected]
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FINAL NOTE TO ALL
Everyone involved in the planning, running and officiating of this Tournament is a volunteer contributing their
own time, without remuneration. Take a minute to thank one of our many, many volunteers! (Consider taking
on a role at next year’s tournament…you will have a blast!!)
The teams have worked hard solving their challenges, and it is their day to showcase what they have learned
and what they’ve created!! We are planning a great day for everyone, so invite your family and friends to
come out and be dazzled by the wonderful, unique and creative solutions that will be presented.
It is our intent that this day will be a positive, enriching experience for all of our participants, especially the
children.
Thanks for your participation this year! We hope that everyone will have a great experience at
tournament…see you there!!
The Tournament Committee and All of our Volunteers and Appraisers
SMOKING is NOT permitted anywhere inside the schools or on school
property
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