Volunteer at the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament

Odyssey of the Mind tournaments are made possible by volunteers who help create a fair, organized, and exciting experience for every student. Each participating team is required to provide both a trained judge and a tournament worker for the Regional Tournament.

CIP families who commit to one of these important roles may receive a membership discount:

• Volunteer Judge: $100 membership discount

• Tournament Worker: $50 membership discount

Because these discounts are provided in exchange for an official volunteer commitment, volunteers must complete all registration, training, and tournament-day responsibilities associated with their selected role.

Volunteer as a Judge

Judges play an essential role in creating a fair and encouraging competition experience. You do not need previous Odyssey of the Mind experience to volunteer. Training is provided so that every judge understands their assignment, the applicable rules, and how teams should be evaluated.

Judge commitment

Judge volunteers must:

• Register as CIP’s official judge volunteer by the designated deadline.

• Attend the complete mandatory judge-training session.

• Review any materials provided for their assigned problem or judging area.

• Arrive at the Regional Tournament at the assigned check-in time.

• Remain available for the entire tournament day.

• Follow all scoring, confidentiality, fairness, and conduct requirements.

• Notify CIP immediately if an emergency could prevent them from fulfilling their commitment.

Mandatory judge training

Date: Saturday, February 6, 2027
Time: 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Location: Madison Meadows Middle School

Training is mandatory. A volunteer who does not complete the required training cannot serve as the team’s judge. Arizona Odyssey of the Mind has previously stated that a team may be ineligible for scoring when its required judge does not attend both training and the Regional Tournament.

During training, judges typically:

• Learn how Odyssey of the Mind competitions are organized.

• Receive their specific judging assignment.

• Review the rules and scoring criteria for their assigned area.

• Practice applying the scoring guidelines consistently.

• Learn tournament procedures and how to communicate with teams.

• Receive instructions from their Problem Captain or Head Judge.

• Ask questions about responsibilities and tournament-day procedures.

What does a judge do?

Assignments vary based on tournament needs. A judge may be placed with a Long-Term Problem, Style, Spontaneous, scoring, staging, timekeeping, or another official competition area.

Possible responsibilities include:

• Watching team performances or solutions.

• Evaluating specific scoring elements.

• Scoring creativity, effectiveness, or required problem components.

• Reviewing required paperwork or materials.

• Checking that teams follow time and problem requirements.

• Asking team members appropriate post-performance questions.

• Recording scores accurately and confidentially.

• Working with the judging team to ensure rules are applied consistently.

• Helping teams feel welcomed and respected throughout the process.

Judges receive specific training for their assignments and are not expected to arrive already knowing every Odyssey of the Mind rule.

What does tournament day look like for a judge?

A judge’s day typically begins before the first scheduled team performance.

Morning check-in

Judges arrive at their assigned time, sign in, meet with their judging team, review procedures, and prepare the competition area.

Team performances begin

Judges remain in their assigned area and evaluate teams according to their training and schedule. Depending on the assignment, a judge may watch performances, review materials, time teams, complete score sheets, or assist with another official part of the judging process.

Meals and breaks

Breaks are coordinated by the Problem Captain or Head Judge. Judges should not leave their assigned area without permission. Meal arrangements and exact break procedures will be communicated by tournament officials.

Scoring and review

Judges complete score sheets carefully and may participate in score reviews or discussions with the judging team. Scores, spontaneous problems, and judging discussions must remain confidential.

End of the day

Judges remain until all assigned teams have competed, scores and paperwork have been completed, and the Problem Captain releases the judging team. Although exact times vary, volunteers should plan for an all-day commitment.

Important information for parents and family members

A judge generally cannot leave their assignment to watch their own child or CIP team perform. Tournament organizers intentionally assign judges away from the team or problem they represent to protect fairness and avoid conflicts of interest.

Because judging is an all-day responsibility, families should arrange for another responsible adult to supervise their child and manage meals, transportation, props, costumes, and other tournament needs.

Judges should also understand that:

• Judging assignments are based on tournament needs and may not match the volunteer’s first choice.

• Judges must remain impartial and encouraging toward every team.

• Team solutions and scores must be kept confidential.

• Judges may not coach, prompt, or provide outside assistance to competing students.

• Comfortable, professional-casual clothing and supportive shoes are recommended.

• Volunteers should bring any requested materials, identification, water, and personal necessities.

Volunteer as a Tournament Worker

Tournament workers help keep the event organized and running smoothly. This is a shorter, more flexible option for families who want to support the tournament while still being able to watch their child compete.

No separate judge-training session is normally required for tournament workers. Instructions are provided before or at the beginning of the assigned shift.

Judge or Tournament Worker: Which Role Is Right for You?

Membership Discount

Volunteer Judge

Before You Commit

Please make sure you can fulfill the entire responsibility before selecting a role. Odyssey of the Mind relies on each team to provide its required volunteers, and a last-minute cancellation can affect CIP’s ability to participate or receive an official score.

Volunteers should not commit as a judge if they:

• Cannot attend the complete mandatory training.

• Cannot remain for the entire Regional Tournament day.

• Need to supervise their child during the tournament.

• Must be available to help the CIP team prepare, move props, or manage costumes.

• Are not comfortable missing CIP’s Long-Term performance.

Volunteer Registration

Completing CIP’s volunteer form indicates your interest and availability. CIP will review submissions, confirm assignments, and provide the information needed to complete the official Arizona Odyssey of the Mind registration.

The membership discount is applied only after the volunteer has been approved and has signed the Volunteer Commitment Agreement. Failure to complete the required training, shift, or tournament-day assignment may result in the discount being removed from the family’s membership balance.

Recommended button: Volunteer for Regionals

Important Note

Assignments, schedules, locations, registration deadlines, meals, dress guidance, and tournament procedures are determined by Arizona Odyssey of the Mind and may change. CIP will provide confirmed details to approved volunteers as soon as they are released.

Ready to volunteer? If you’ve reviewed the expectations for serving as a judge or tournament worker and are ready to commit, click the link below to sign up.