St. Louis Info

[RoboticsMom]

I'm the team mom for 1138, Kristyn. Can anyone please give me any helpful info for St. Louis?
Should we order boxed lunches, dinner everyday? If not, what's our options?
Suggestions on restaurants? We are staying at the Hilton at the Ballpark.

So, only 5 members of the team can go in Wednesday. So, you can get inspected Wednesday? Is that it?

Any helpful info is appreciated.

[Billfred]

2815's not going this year, but from the past two years I'm inclined to say get the boxed lunches. There's not a lot nearby you'll be able to duck into and make it back to the dome in time. (And the 2012 ones were greatly improved over the year prior.)

[Tommy F.]

If you choose not to get the lunch boxes, there are a few places to eat a few blocks away. There's also the concession stands inside the event.

And yes, you can get inspected on Wednesday night. It's not like the load-in days at regionals where all you can do is drop things off and leave. You can set up your pit, get weighed, and inspected. Practice fields open on Thursday, with qualification rounds starting that afternoon.

Or at least that's how it's been for the past two years. :P

[RoboticsMom]

Thanks for that info! Is Wednesday a practice day, or only getting inspected and working in pits?

It looks like from the schedule very long days!

[MrTechCenter]

I recommend getting the box lunches just because it's so much easier and you're not competing with the other 399 FRC teams to get food in one area. 5 team representatives, one of which must be the team's main or alternate contact can go to the dome on Wednesday night to uncrate your robot, setup your pit, and get inspected. Once you've gotten inspected, there's nothing more you can really do in the pits Wednesday night.

[Billfred]

And obvious protip: be sure you bring your batteries in Wednesday night and plug them in!

[ehochstein]

The FIRST Robotics Conferences are a great thing for team members/adults to attend. I highly encourage you to have a few members check them out, especially since they are free this year.

More info here (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/firstplace/first-robotics-conference).

[RoboticsMom]

Great info! Thanks everyone! Can inspection take all night? I'm assuming it must be different than the regional events.

The finale party fun?

[Tommy F.]

Great info! Thanks everyone! Can inspection take all night? I'm assuming it must be different than the regional events.

Same inspection as the regionals, it just might go a little bit quicker, seeing as you've probably already passed an inspection before. I'd recommend getting weighed and radio reset as soon as you can, so the inspector can inspect your bot sooner. If they don't finish when the pits close, they'll just continue where they left off the next day.

And last year we didn't go to the finale party, but the stuff they had planned sounded like a load of fun.

[DonRotolo]

Last year Inspection went until maybe 8 or 9 pm, just before when the pits closed.

[ehochstein]

Great info! Thanks everyone! Can inspection take all night? I'm assuming it must be different than the regional events.

The finale party fun?

Here is a thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115796)discussing attending this year's Finale.

[KathieK]

It sounds like you might like to attend the NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) annual meeting! Open to adult mentors who deal with all the non-technical stuff (like being the team mom, arranging lunches etc.), it will be held Friday between 10am and noon at America's Center room 255. Come and go as your schedule allows. Www.firstnemo.org

[EOC]

See this thread: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115466

[CalTran]

While your 5 members are loading in and getting inspected, I suggest that you send a few members, preferably members on the team next year, to some of the FIRST Conferences (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115789) as they can learn *so* so much from them. And, as an added bonus, they're FREE this year! (Thanks Air National Guard!)

[Bill_B]

While your 5 members are loading in and getting inspected, I suggest that you send a few members, preferably members on the team next year, to some of the FIRST Conferences (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115789) as they can learn *so* so much from them. And, as an added bonus, they're FREE this year! (Thanks Air National Guard!)

What? And risk exposing the FIRST experience as educational? Only a bold and daring mentor would suggest learning something as a way to pass the time AWAY from school. :D

[RoboticsMom]

Thanks for all the info everyone! Very helpful! See you in St. Louis!

[RoboMom]

While your 5 members are loading in and getting inspected, I suggest that you send a few members, preferably members on the team next year, to some of the FIRST Conferences (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115789) as they can learn *so* so much from them. And, as an added bonus, they're FREE this year! (Thanks Air National Guard!)

Just a reminder about the conferences.
Because they are free, they will be first-come, first serve. When the room is filled, they will be shutting the door.

If attending any of the sessions is a high priority, make sure you get there early for some of the more popular ones.

Shameless plug: I am doing one on Thurs at 5pm for those who deal with recruiting and managing volunteers, esp. for robotics competitions.

More info here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/firstplace/first-robotics-conference

[lanna.stars]

Just wondered what the weather is like in St. Louis. This is our first time heading to the Championships so we would just like to know what to pack (clothing wise). Thanks!

[CalTran]

Just wondered what the weather is like in St. Louis. This is our first time heading to the Championships so we would just like to know what to pack (clothing wise). Thanks!

Rain? Prepare for Armageddon to strike when you go to St. Louis. Two year in St. Louis. Two year's of Tornado scares. Tis the season.

^This.

[Tommy F.]

Just wondered what the weather is like in St. Louis. This is our first time heading to the Championships so we would just like to know what to pack (clothing wise). Thanks!

As a local, I don't even know what to tell you. Just prepare for a bit of rain and don't be surprised to see a chilly day, or a hot, humid day out of the time you're here.

[lanna.stars]

As a local, I don't even know what to tell you. Just prepare for a bit of rain and don't be surprised to see a chilly day, or a hot, humid day out of the time you're here.

So basically the last 24 hours that has occurred in Southern Ontario... AWESOME! Thanks... well at least the rain boots I brought to Maine and never used will be useful in St. Louis!

Since this is located in Tornado Alley... is the Edward Jones Dome considered a storm shelter? We experienced some major Tornado warnings and watches in Knoxville, TN when we attended last year and many parents were concerned as CNN tends to exaggerate the weather. I mean it was bad (nothing what we are use too) but the regional was located in a Storm Shelter. Just would like to know this sort of information to put the Parents minds at ease (and possibly my own) if they should ask! :)

[KathieK]

"St. Louis occasionally experiences extreme weather conditions. In the event of a bad storm or tornado, the America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome management team have and emergency plan in place. Please follow instructions on site."
Last year during the final matches we were advised of bad weather in the area and were asked to remain in our seats I recall.

[JohnBoucher]

Jimmy Johns for quick cheap, good sandwiches. There is one near the ballpark. It's not fancy, but it works

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
508 Pine Street
St. Louis, MO 63101