Testimonials
"It exercises your mind and there is not just one solution… the best program for kids. It improves your knowledge. It helps you learn teamwork. It helps you realize there is not just one solution in life there will always be many."
- Team Member, Div I
"Very supportive volunteers. They really seem to want all of the kids to live up to their fullest potential"
- Parent, Coach
"The fun we have...from the kids involved, to the judges and even the Board"
- Judge, past Team Member
"A wonderful experience for my son, he loves the creativity… this years location was awesome. it made it very simple."
- Parent
"The fact that the kids are on their own. Its all them! The action of watching the kids take control and prevail without outside help…The tournament was held in a wonderful place and everyone was excited."
- Parent
"The kids get to be kids and have fun and be creative all at once…the whole program is for kids and that they come first."
- Judge
"It teaches kids to work as a team and that hard work and creativity will get you anywhere!"
- Team Member, Middle School
"The program provides kids with something that is not offered in schools and is something I consider essential to a balanced education. I think that I grow and learn just as the kids do."
- Judge
"I'm glad that my daughter strong armed me into volunteering to be her team's coach. I thank you very much"
- Parent, Coach
"We watched our daughter's confidence blossom because of her involvement in CTOM. She had learned how to present her ideas and how to listen and appreciate what other people have to offer. She learned how to evaluate ideas and provide and accept constructive feedback. And best of all, she learned that problem solving could be fun."
- Parent
"Coaching has taught us the value of letting others take ownership for solving problems. By asking questions instead of giving any advice we encourage the team members to draw on their skills to work through problems and ensure that they can take full credit for their accomplishments."
- Coach
"I like the mission and the discipline with which it is carried out."
- Judge
"All in all, the Odyssey of the Mind experience is a challenging, educational event that taught me how to work together cooperatively, be thrifty, think fast, and most of all, have fun! "
- Team Member
"This is my first year in Odyssey of the Mind, and I was on a first year team. I loved it!!! I am definitely going to do this again!"
- Coach
"The facilities were beautiful. It was so well organized…the closing ceremonies were fun. The feeling of success and togetherness were great!"
- Parent
"It is a learning experience and it is a lot of fun trying to make a skit and act it out. Also, we could meet new people."
- Team Member, Div II
"This was our first year and we had phenomenal time… and the kids are ecstatic. What this has done for these children is beyond words. They have grown up so much in the past several months… Thank you for providing this avenue for them to shine."
- Coach,Parent
"It provides children with an opportunity to think ""outside the box"" and to use their intellects in a way that has nothing to do with standardized testing. They are given almost no boundaries although they do have a goal."
- Parent
"Through the Odyssey of the Mind Program, we promote creativity by challenging teams to solve divergent problems, that is those with more than one solution. By working in teams, participants learn teamwork, the appreciation and understanding of others and that a group is more powerful thinking force than and individual."
- Odyssey of the Mind Program Guide
Student Essay:
From the beginning I loved it! It was exciting. Setting up the problem structure and putting totally different ideas together, then taking the points and making one scene or setting was hard work....All in all, the Odyssey of the Mind experience is a challenging, educational event that taught me how to work together cooperatively, be thrifty, think fast, and most of all, have fun! Read entire essay.
Student Newspaper Article
What can parents do to ensure that their children will have the skills they need to participate in the workplace of the future?
The answer for at least one parent, my mother, has been Odyssey of the Mind. Read entire article.
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WELCOME to CTOM!
ConnecticuT Odyssey of the Mind (CTOM) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational creative problem-solving program for student teams K-12. Whether participating on a team, coaching, or volunteering -- our programs offer exciting experiences for growth in creativity, teamwork, and effectiveness for everyone. Learn More!
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TESTIMONIALS
"It teaches kids to work as
a team and that hard work and creativity will get you anywhere!"
- Team Member, Middle School