Number Of Teams Earning Spot At Global Finals Up 10% From Last Year! Data Says Parents, Teachers, Volunteers Value Critical Thinking, Creativity

CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite the lingering effects of a global economic downturn, the number of teams successfully competing at tournaments in the U.S. and around the world in order to earn a spot at Destination Imagination's Global Finals has increased 10.4% over last year.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120510/DC05048LOGO)

As opening ceremonies loom tonight, final tallies show that there will be a record 1,276 teams competing at Global Finals on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville this year, compared to 1,155 last year -- a net increase of 121 teams at Globals.

In all, officials say that some 15,000 people, including teams, family, supporters, volunteers and Destination staff, are converging on Knoxville for the annual celebration of creativity May 23-26.

"The final tally shows parents, educators, community leaders and volunteers who care about our young peoples' futures see value in exposing kids to the rigors of solving hands-on problems by applying creative thinking, critical analysis, communication and collaboration," declared Chuck Cadle, CEO of Destination Imagination Inc., a global non-profit based in Cherry Hill, NJ.

"With educational program budget cuts, and family activities trimmed because of the recession, achieving a 10% increase in teams traveling from all over the U.S. and the world to compete at Global Finals is indeed awesome and gratifying."

Totals of all teams signing up this school year show there were 15,555 teams formed all over the world, a 3% increase from 15,112 worldwide last year.

"The sustained worldwide growth of Destination Imagination shows there is significant interest in exposing youth to challenging situations in which they learn how to apply creative thinking, critical analysis, teamwork and collaboration to solve hands-on problems," Cadle said.  

"Our critical thinking programs supplement what is taught in the classrooms of the U.S. and the world, and motivate youth to develop the skills and abilities they will need to be successful in life and to be the world leaders of the future."

SOURCE Destination Imagination

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED