What does it cost to do DI?
Every team that participates in DI must own a valid team number, which is purchased through Destination ImagiNation, Inc. at www.shopdi.org. When purchasing the team pak, the purchaser will also pay a fee to Maryland Creative Problem Solvers, Inc to help fund our activities. The fees for this year are:
1-team - $135 purchase + $50 Maryland affiliate fee = $185
2-5-teams - $390 purchase + $100 Maryland Affiliate fee = $490
30-teams or more purchased by school system- $78 purchase + $20 Maryland Affiliate fee = $98 per team
Rising Stars team - $55 purchase + $0 Maryland Affiliate Fee = $55 per team
Clearly, the more teams within a school or school system, the less the per student cost. Note that the Rules of the Road (the DI bible) states that students on teams within a 5-team pak must all be from that school, except for three students who are allowed as “guests” from other schools. Members of teams from 1-paks or 30-paks can be from any school with no limitations.
Additional costs include –
Team manager training – cost varies but is usually $15-$25 per manager. Training is highly recommended but not required.
Regional Tournament registration fee – This fee is usually around $40, with late fees assessed on late registrations. The fee varies depending on the cost of the site, number of anticipated teams, etc.
State Tournament registration fee – If a team is fortunate enough to qualify for the State Tournament, it will pay a $55 registration fee.
Team solution expenses – Depending on the challenge a team is solving, the team can expect to spend anywhere from $25 to $200 on its solution materials. DI encourages teams to scavenge for its materials and puts budget limits on each challenge to control expenses. Often, teams can solve their challenges with all donated or scavenged materials. DI kids become pack rats and dumpster divers very quickly.
Team t-shirts – Many teams like to create their own team t-shirts to wear on competition day. This is totally optional. The cost will vary depending on whether the shirts are handmade or commercially produced.
Staffing – Most DI teams are managed by volunteers. However, some schools or systems pay teachers to coordinate the program – recruit team managers and students and handle paper work and finances. Some schools may also need to pay teachers to serve as team managers.
Global Finals Expenses – Teams advancing to Global Finals will incur significant expenses to cover registration fees, travel and housing costs, trading pin purchases, etc., totaling approximately $5,000. Once a team qualifies for Globals, the team kicks into fundraising overdrive. School systems usually help with the expenses, but schools, businesss partners, parents, and communities contribute to make this experience possible for the kids. Less than 10% of Maryland teams advance to Globals.
Where does the money come from?
Every school handles the DI money situation differently. Often the school pays for the membership and the PTA pays for the other expenses. Sometimes team member families pitch in or pay a small fee similar to what they would pay for a soccer league. Other times school systems fund the expenses through STEM grants, GATE funding, or other sources.
