Judges!
Often times our officials are family members or school personnel who volunteer to judge the teams, but almost anyone can volunteer! Former OMers are especially welcome to experience the program from the other side of the clipboard and we have positions for people 18 years or older.* We like to joke that once you participate in Odyssey of the Mind, you come back for the wholesome and magical experience every year after.
Our benevolent officials have a huge impact on teams and their learning experience. Imagine yourself being a friendly judge taking an interest in something a team has worked hard on for many months. You, too, could be entertained and dazzled by the creative efforts of local youth!
A brief description of what each problem focuses on and the current problem synopses can be found on our About page.
Our benevolent officials have a huge impact on teams and their learning experience. Imagine yourself being a friendly judge taking an interest in something a team has worked hard on for many months. You, too, could be entertained and dazzled by the creative efforts of local youth!
A brief description of what each problem focuses on and the current problem synopses can be found on our About page.
Judges Training Information
If you are considering judging, you need to be able to complete the training, as outlined below, and commit to a full day of judging teams. If you are a parent wishing to see your kid perform, this is NOT for you. There are other ways for you to volunteer and we'd love for you to contact the tournament director so you can help out!
Teams are required to provide a judge and worker for the tournament. Judges fulfilling this required judge role, please be aware that failure to train and/or work at the tournament can cost your team points and a financial fine.
Problem Training
Judges are assigned to a specific problem and are required to attend the meeting on Saturday, January 31st at 9:00 am (to approximately 2 pm, but not everyone will take that long) at Viera Middl School. Your Regional Problem Captain will go over everything judges need to know about the problem.
Teams are required to provide a judge and worker for the tournament. Judges fulfilling this required judge role, please be aware that failure to train and/or work at the tournament can cost your team points and a financial fine.
Problem Training
Judges are assigned to a specific problem and are required to attend the meeting on Saturday, January 31st at 9:00 am (to approximately 2 pm, but not everyone will take that long) at Viera Middl School. Your Regional Problem Captain will go over everything judges need to know about the problem.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
What to Expect on Tournament Day
On the day of the competition you will need to arrive at the time set by your Problem Captain. (A decent estimate is 7:30 to 4:30, but EVERYONE is different and there are several factors at play. Please communicate your needs when you sign up.) You will receive communication prior to tournament day telling you where at Viera High School you need to go and what time you will start.
Your Problem Captain or head judge will help you get set up and explain the procedures for the day. You'll then see and judge a few teams before your first break. The schedule will be set based on how many teams have registered and the problem you are judging. Breaks are scheduled throughout your day.
Lunch and drinks will be provided. Please bring a jacket as you will be indoors and we're unable to predict the temperature. Also, you may want to bring a reusable cup for beverages (which will be unique to you and nobody else will accidentally reach for your cup) and a cell phone charger.
When you have finished judging all your teams for the day, you have to wait a short period of time for the last team to ask any questions about their scores (Long Term) and for their scores to be cleared - meaning our scoreroom has input the scores and does not have any questions for you (such as being unable to read your score.)
You are then welcome to stay for the awards ceremony to see which teams made the cut to go to the State tournament! Was it your favorite team?!?
Your Problem Captain or head judge will help you get set up and explain the procedures for the day. You'll then see and judge a few teams before your first break. The schedule will be set based on how many teams have registered and the problem you are judging. Breaks are scheduled throughout your day.
Lunch and drinks will be provided. Please bring a jacket as you will be indoors and we're unable to predict the temperature. Also, you may want to bring a reusable cup for beverages (which will be unique to you and nobody else will accidentally reach for your cup) and a cell phone charger.
When you have finished judging all your teams for the day, you have to wait a short period of time for the last team to ask any questions about their scores (Long Term) and for their scores to be cleared - meaning our scoreroom has input the scores and does not have any questions for you (such as being unable to read your score.)
You are then welcome to stay for the awards ceremony to see which teams made the cut to go to the State tournament! Was it your favorite team?!?
