Events & Registrations

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

ODYSSEY DAY and COACH TRAINING B 2026

JANUARY 10

9:00AM-12:00PM

We are excited to share that we are refreshing the event format this year. Odyssey Day student workshops will run simultaneously with Coach Training sessions, creating a lively, action-packed morning for everyone.

ODYSSEY DAY 2026 will include three interactive student workshops running recurrently at 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM. Each team must have at least one adult chaperone attend the Odyssey Day workshops, while coaches participate in their assigned training sessions.

2026 WORKSHOPS–

SPONTANEOUS – Students will take part in a fun mock competition where they practice solving spontaneous problems, learn how to understand the instructions, and try being judges for their peers. They will receive helpful feedback to get ready for the real competition. Facilitated by Yolanda Preysner, Omer Award recipient, SPON judge and CTOM Board of Directors veteran of over a decade, and Catherine Preysner, OM competitor turned World Finals SPON judge.

ACTING – Students will learn how to bring a character to life, both physically and emotionally. Voice projection, stage movement and stage direction will all be covered. Creating the emotional inner life of a character will be taught as well as choosing a character’s motivation. Facilitated by Eileen O’Brian, director of multiple theatre programs, and award-winning educator of theatre arts.

COSTUMES AND SET DESIGN – Students will learn how color, texture, and different materials add the “wow factor” to their OM solution. They’ll brainstorm uses for different materials and explore how to create amazing, low-cost set and costume pieces that pop, and receive practical tips for turning ideas into reality with kid-friendly tools and tricks. Facilitated by Stacy Gifford, who started her OM journey in the 90s in NH as a team member and is now on her fourth year of coordinating and coaching in Ridgefield, CT. Her team attended World Finals in 2024. 

COACH TRAINING B sessions are designed to support both new and experienced Odyssey of the Mind coaches. Sessions will cover key topics including coaching Spontaneous, understanding and guiding Style, navigating team dynamics, and clarifying what is considered appropriate coach and parent support, including the use of AI tools. Coaches will also have the opportunity to meet their Problem Captains and gain a high-level overview of the long-term problems and season flow. Each session focuses on building confidence, clarity, and strong coaching practices while staying aligned with OM rules and expectations.

Event check-in begins at 8:30AM in Bethel Middle School entrance lobby, and the event officially kicks off at 9:00AM. Student participants will receive a blind bag of free trading pins, while supplies last. Bethel Middle School is located at 600 Whittlesey Dr, Bethel CT.

We cannot wait to welcome everyone for a morning of creativity, teamwork, and problem solving. See you there!

If you have any questions about registration, please reach out to Ali Alzabidi, Odyssey Day and Coach Training Coordinator at aalzabidi@ctom.org

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN