Quick links to Odyssey HQ

Bookmark the Members-Area for long-term problems, forms and all materials:

Bookmark the Portal for team and competition related database:

Quick links to general information on our website:

Quick links for team volunteers

HARO News

Welcome to the Houston Area Region Odyssey (“HARO”) page. You will find here additional details that are specific to Houston, in addition to all the general program information that is explained on this website.

8/12/26 Promotional materials are updated on our Building Teams/Membership Resources webpage. OM Coordinators can use them for back-to-school events or to publish/distribute within their school.

Fall events are scheduled: Orientation for new parents or teachers who have never been exposed to OM before. Also Coach Training for new and returning coaches. Check our calendar for sign-ups.

8/24/26 Reminder that if your previous year teams changed schools, remind the parents that we encourage and work with teams to stay together, even after the team members moved into different schools or the coach is unavailable. Coordinators newsletter provides tips to form teams and instructions to renew their annual membership. Also reminder for coaches to not start discussing the long-term problem for several weeks so that students can form a committed team first.
09/02/26 The full 2026-27 Problems are now available! Active members have access to download the full problems from the Member Area with details of requirements, scoring, style elements and much more.
09/03/26 The 2026-27 have been updated since 09/02. Make sure you download the latest version.
09/08/26 The HARO preliminary calendar is published below.
09/09/26 The 2026-27 have been updated since 09/08. Make sure you download the latest version.
09/12/26 The program guide is updated for 2026-27. Download here.
09/13/26 Reminder, we still have 10 open seats for the interactive Coach Training session on Sep 19th. Sign-up here.
09/14/26 Second Coach Training is now confirmed at Spring ISD Transportation Center, 341 E Richey Rd, Houston, TX 77073 (west of IAH). The date is still September 26th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.
09/16/26 Coach Training on Sep 19th is filling up but we accept waiting list spots.
09/20/26 Spontaneous Workshop on Nov 14th. Track B for teams sign-up is now open. Please read team qualifications carefully.
09/20/26 The first Coach Newsletter has been sent. If you have not received it, you are not on our mailing list. Sign-up here. You will also be added after you are a registered Head Coach or Co-Coach of a team in the portal.
09/21/26 OdysseyHQ advise that while co-coaches can be added to the team roster in the portal, they will not have access to team information in the portal this year (Teams tab), only to the Members Area (supporting documents and forms).
09/26/26 All teams must be registered with their roster, when they start discussing the long-term problem. A good target is by Oct 15th. Late-starters are OK as well.
10/06/26 Don’t forget to check General Clarifications periodically at OdysseyHQ in the Fall and weekly in the spring. As of today, there are already clarifications published regarding problems 1, 3 & 4.
10/08/26 Status of Spontaneous workshop on Nov 14th: Track A needs more judges to support the team practices. We encourage new coaches to take this training opportunity. Registered teams should consider sending at least one judge volunteer. Track B is full. Existing teams on the waiting list will receive status on Oct 29th, depending on participation in Track A.
10/11/26 Reminder that the long-term problems were modified in early September after there were originally published. Coaches or Coordinators who downloaded them early must make sure to obtain the newer versions.
10/18/26 Start talking to your team parents about a volunteer judge for all competitive teams. Judge registration will open mid-November.
10/22/26 Two NEW sessions for Coach Training/Problem walk-through for PRIMARY teams. Oct 28th and Nov 1st. Sign-up here.
10/25/26 New event: Balsa practice for structure crushing on Dec 6th. Problem 4 teams who do not have their own equipment can sign-up here.
10/30/26 Qualified teams are receiving assignments for the Spontaneous Workshop Track B. If you have not received your assignment, check your emails for reminders.
11/04/26 Competitive coaches can prepare for competition registration that will open soon: Verify team roster, ask parents if they have any siblings on other teams to avoid scheduling conflicts, any medical concerns or handicaps. Also secure your team judge; judge registration will open mid November.
11/07/26 Read the modified instructions about usage of A.I. in the Program Guide.
11/10/26 Registration for competition will start on Nov 15th in batches. Be prepared with your information.
11/11/26 Problem 4 balsa venue is close to capacity. We do not plan to open a second venue. Teams that are not properly registered will be placed on the waiting list and may be treated as non-competitive.

What’s Happening in November

Coach Training Season is over. If you missed that, feel free to use our self-training materials here.

All teams should be registered now in the portal with the team roster (names of each student, grade, any medical information, etc.) This is required for ALL teams that are working on Odyssey of the Mind problems, even if they do not intend to participate in a competition. Participating in Competition is not required; but Team Registration is.

Competition Registration opens mid-November. Details are available here. Prepare your team member information, any scheduling conflicts and wait for the emailed invitation. Your Regional director will advise when to expect this. Deadline to register for competition: Dec 15th.

Teams are usually well into their long-term problem solving. A good target is to complete the first draft of the script by mid-December and work on a list of tasks that must take place within their solution, backdrops, props and costumes to be built. Continue Spontaneous practices at every meeting and throw in teamwork exercices regularly.

Talk to your team parents. One parent is usually the volunteer judge to give the team their required judge credit. Judge registration will open in November as well.

Key dates for Houston & South TX season

The list below includes all dates mentioned in newsletters :