To assist you in preparing for 2022 World Finals, our hosts at Iowa State University have assembled a Letter to Coaches, welcoming you and providing the details you’ll need to make the most of your time in Ames, Iowa. This Letter to Coaches can either be downloaded as a single PDF document or it has been arranged by subject below.

For the safety of all, Clear bag usage is strongly encouraged at Opening and Awards ceremonies in Hilton Coliseum. 

The following bag types are allowed:

  • Plastic, vinyl, or PVC clear totes that do not exceed 12x6x12 inches
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (i.e. Ziploc or similar);
  • Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5×6.5 inches;
  • Exceptions will be made for bags containing items required for medical, family, or child care.

For your convenience, bags that meet this policy can now be purchased in the Odyssey shop!


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Medical Information/Release Form (PDF)

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We take your health very seriously and plan to honor all state/local guidelines and any from the CDC at the time of the event. We are monitoring any possible changes and having prepared so thoroughly for it last year we are confident we can go back to those plans as far as spacing, temp checks, etc. at any time. We do suggest that you bring a mask and anti-viral hand sanitizer in case it is required at any point along your journey and in case it is needed at any location in and around ISU. We encourage everyone to wear a mask if that makes them feel comfortable. If recommended by health officials, we will require them to be worn.

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Teams can select from the official Odyssey of the Mind Housing:
 

Wednesday arrival is $650
Tuesday arrival is $735
The meals begin with dinner on the day you arrive and run through Sunday breakfast.
There is a Registration fee of $3000. However, if your team stays in official OM housing you do not need to pay a registration fee. It is built into the cost of housing.
Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is open to spectators including the Creativity Festival, Evening events (they need to get tickets at our Information booth for Opening and Awards, but they are free.) They can even eat with their team. Dining halls accepts people who pay for a meal with cash or credit.

Odyssey of the Mind coaches and volunteers work hard to facilitate creative thinking – but that’s not the hardest part. All year they have to keep their creative ideas to themselves while the teams have all the fun! This competition is their chance to express themselves, solve a problem, and have fun doing so. And the best part – teams and parents can participate with the coach as well. If you want to participate simply arrive at Hilton Coliseum with your solution and cheering squad by 7:30 pm and sign in. Please be mindful of the graduation ceremony taking place. We look forward to seeing you!

Download the Problem Here!

Join OMER and Dr. Sam for a special graduation ceremony the evening of May 27 at 7 p.m.

Open to graduating high school and college seniors missing their graduations to attend WF. Deadline to sign up is May 13. Spectators welcome! The ceremony will take place in Hilton Coliseum.

Graduates, please arrive at the Hilton Coliseum tunnel area at 6:30 to line up.

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Download & Print important numbers and a campus map with shuttle routes:

OM Campus Shuttle Map & Brochure

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Congratulations World Finals Team Members and Coaches! We look forward to watching your creative solutions to the problems in Ames. There are required forms you must print out and complete to turn in at Team Registration. These include the Medical Release, Media Release, Team Contract, and an Insurance Waiver (NEW). Please be sure to have these filled out before you travel to Ames. We wish you safe and happy travels and OMER will be waiting to see you at ISU!

Important Forms: