Getting Ready for Your First Event

Official events for REEFSCAPE^SM presented by Haas are just a few short weeks away! I can’t wait to see the creative solutions that more than 3700 teams have come up with for this year’s challenge. Here are a few things to keep in mind before events start:

1. Last year, we created this video of “What to expect” at a FIRST Robotics Competition event. I encourage everyone, from rookie teams to 20-year veterans, to check it out!
   
   
2. Now is a great time to host a team meeting on travel expectations and Youth Safety. Resources for mentors are available on the FIRST^® Youth Safety page. Lead mentors – make sure you have emergency contact information, medical needs, and parent permission slips as required by your host organization or school. Make a plan for what team members will do in case of emergency.
   
   
3. Teams can find event information, including public agendas (as they are finalized), team lists, and local details on each event’s webpage. Other event information, including a direct link to register to volunteer at the event, is also available on the FRC-Events webpage.
   
   
4. Conducting a pre-inspection is a great way to make sure you’re ready for your official inspection at the event. Your team can work through the same Inspection Checklist that inspectors will use. And check out our Inspection Video playlist to get an idea of what Robot Inspection is like.
   
   
5. When packing for your event, don’t forget to bring your:
   1. Safety glasses,
   2. Tools for your robot,
   3. Robot, bumpers, and batteries,
   4. Printed Team Roster, and
   5. Additional recommended items that can be found on the District & Regional Event webpage.
      
      
6. If you haven’t yet, please review the Event Rules section of the Manual.

7. If your team needs accommodation for events, including accessible seating, please contact the Program Delivery Partner for the event.
   
   
8. Finally, if you’ve not yet registered your team members, please save yourself time and do that before the events. Teams in the United States and Canada can use the Express Enrollment process to make the process much easier! New this year, teams can also create Express Enrollment links for mentors to join teams. Make sure you print your team roster prior to the event to make check-in at the event easier. More information is available on the Youth Registration webpage.