We’re back! It’s true that I had a vacation week, but I wouldn’t say Lynn did. Taking 4 teenagers to another state for a big competition, shepherding them around, and handling all of their stress and emotion does not exactly equal relaxation.
I, on the other hand, was only a spectator. I slept in a big bed and did not wake to the sound of anyone crying or asking for breakfast. And I changed no diapers. That does equal vacation.
What else did we do? We went sight seeing and learned about East Tennessee and the Civil War. We watched the kids do ‘pin trading.’ (This was a completely developed DI subculture of kids trading different team and state pins from around the world. Pretty cutthroat, actually.) We had the most delicious barbecue ever, the Pig Burger. (Thank you Dixon Bar-B-Q for simply existing!)
Throughout the week, as we went around talking to people, we realized it can be a bit hard to explain exactly what Destination Imagination entails. Yes, it is a creative problem solving competition for kids. But it is also so much more than that. Global Finals was a meeting of all kinds of different kids and adults, in a completely unpretentious, purposefully silly, and competitively serious way. I know that doesn’t make any sense, so we have a video.
I LOVE bright kids doing bright things and having fun. Great!
It was awesome! I am so glad Carrie came with us!