Captured by Our Cameras

Alix and I are involved again in Destination Imagination. "The Destination ImagiNation is a process-based program grounded in well-established creative problem solving theory. It helps young people build lifelong skills in creative and critical thinking, teamwork, time management and problem solving. Up to seven participants work together as a team for several months to create their solutions to Team Challenges, which can have a theatrical, structural, improvisational, scientific or technical focus. Teams also learn and practice creative quick-thinking skills for the Instant Challenge portion of the program."

One of the important aspects of this program is this is a kids hands-on, adults hands-off educational program. As Team Managers, Anne and I had the job of facilitating the process. The Team Challenge solution is owned and operated by the team! Only team members may contribute ideas and create the Team Challenge solutions. Help from non-team members, including Team Managers and parents, is called Interference.

Anne and I had to take a pledge to stand by and MANAGE, not direct, not coach. We could facilitate discussions and/or disagreements. Help the team manage their time to meet their deadlines. Make sure they were working in a safe manner, and acquire items requested by the team.

For the past 16 weeks. Alix and her other four team members have been working on their Challenge - ViDIo Lit Hits. For this Challenge the team had to:

• Create a live Music ViDIo that dramatically retells a piece of literature.


• Integrate music and team-created lyrics into the Music ViDIo.


• Dramatically portray a character from the chosen piece of literature.


• Create and integrate choreography into the ViDio.


• Create and present a Grand Entrance or Grand Exit using technical methods.

It was pure joy for Anne and I to watch the process over the weeks. This team worked very well together and had so much fun finding a solution to their challenge.

The work of the past 16 weeks was put to the "challenge". Today was the Regional Tournament in Tilton, NH. The day was long but SO MUCH FUN.










The team chose to dramatically retell the story of Aladdin with a Disco theme which explains all the sequins and glitter. They wrote lyrics for two team-created songs. (For the past several weeks our family has been singing and humming both songs. They are seared into our brains.)

Following is a video of their performance. I dare you to be able to sit still watching it. I don't think I will ever be tired of watching it. It's just too damn wonderful. So turn up your volume and enjoy!





The stars of the show: Alix (my much too cute daughter and loudest singer) as Aladdin.



Ethan, the Jiny of the Lamp



Becky as the Jiny of the Ring



Anna, the Princess and Aladdin's love



Cindy as Fatima - the Princess's friend and servant







The teams was excited to hear their name called for 3rd Place in the Elementary division. Congratulations Magical Sparkle Squad! We are so proud of you!!