The Homestay program was established ot let U.S. and international teams have an opportunity to experience each other's cultures for a few days after World Finals.

The international team(s) stays in the homes of U.S. teams, providing first-hand friendship experiences for both groups.

This rewarding experience is a "memory of a lifetime" and all Odyssey teams are eligible (you do not have to compete at World Finals to be a homestay team/family).

World Finals will be in Iowa in May, 2009, and many international teams would love to come to your home for a Homestay experience!

If you are interested in volunteering to be a Homestay Team/Family, please contact , the international liason.

• All Odyssey of the Mind teams and their families are eligible for the program.
• Homestay families provide lodging, meals and some activities/entertainment for their guests.
• Biggest Cost? Time spent with your guests! Teams pay for their own entertainment costs and shopping.
• Homestays generally last 3 to 4 days; specific arrangements are made between the international coach and the U.S. coach.
• Transportation: families will need to transport teams when they get to your area. Odyssey friends/families who are unable to host international team members in their homes can really help out with driving/transporting people to activities.
• It is usually helpful if at least one host family can be home during the day to help coordinate daytime activities. This needs not be the same family each day.
• Biggest Reward? Making new friends from around the world!

May 27 - May 30, 2009 -
2009 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Hold a Car Wash-A-Thon. Advertise a "free car wash" in area newspapers, send notices home with children, put up posters, etc. On the day of the event, post signs-one mile in both directions-advertising the free car wash. In the weeks before, have the children find "sponsors" who support their willingness to wash as many cars as they can. Sponsors will commit to donating a fee for each car washed. So, if a child washes 20 cars and gets 20 sponsors to pay a dollar for each car washed, the worker gets $20 per car for a total of $400. A tip/donation bucket can be put out for those who have their car washed. Remember to remove the signs after the event is completed.