What do you do in the fall?

[SuperBK]

Just wondering what teams do in the fall. One year we build a practice robot out of old parts and controllers from previous years. We played with the robots and had timed courses. Its a somewhat critical time though is because we recruit in the fall and if we don't have something interesting, then they won't hang around until the kickoff, which is when the busy time begins.
Brian

[sanddrag]

Personally, I spend a lot of time in the fall building Cal Poly's float (http://www.cpprosefloat.org/site/plugins/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=1.2008-%20Guardians%20of%20Harmony%2F1.Finalized_Renderin g.jpg) for the Tournament of Roses Parade (http://www.tournamentofroses.com/roseparade/) to be seen by an estimated 50 million people on January 1st.

[wilsonmw04]

FTC! I have kids working on a FTC bot as I type this. despite the questions we have about the future direction of FTC, the overhead is low and you can practice a lot of the skills you will need for FRC in a less stressful environment.

[Zyik]

Cal Games, Town parade, look in on the Lego League Teams. Not so bad.

[Tapoore]

Off-season competitions (Bash @ the Beach and River Rage)
Minibuild (2-3 teams compete in an FRC-style game using scaled down robots)
Mentoring the MAYHEM FLL teams.

That's about it. :)

[Alexa Stott]

On team 25, we take an inventory of everything we have. We take whatever we don't want/need, and we throw it off the bus (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58932). ;)

[Stuart]

BEST (http://www.bestinc.org)

[StephLee]

So far, we're continuing our SuGO (http://sugo.gearsinc.org/)competitions each month, helping out with the county's 6 FLL teams, demonstrating at one of the biggest fall festivals in the world (http://travel.msn.com/Guides/article.aspx?cp-documentid=423899), starting some pilot experiments with underwater robots (http://www.gearsinc.org/node/170), and cleaning up the shop. We have plans for a few fundraising events and team tool training days closer to the start of build season, as well.

[KathieK]

Plan our local FTC Championship Tournament. Attend FIRST team fundraisers. Promote FIRST at events like the upcoming CT Science Educators' Conference. Facilitate teambuilding workshops with area teams. Facilitate NEMO workshops and meetings at off-seasons like Bash and Ramp Riot. Work on a bunch of websites! :)

[Caseavong]

Well,
This past week we just found out who the new recruits are for this year.
Then pre season starts aka
- safety training
- workshop training
- going to the Ra Cha Cha Rukus
- team building
- Learning LOTS of Cheers

[Koko Ed]

Well,
This past week we just found out who the new recruits are for this year.
Then pre season starts aka
- safety training
- workshop training
- going to the Ra Cha Cha Rukus
- team building
- Learning LOTS of Cheers
and don't forget moving into our new shop, Casey.

[MChapman]

A lot of what Kathy already said is what my team does. We have a meeting with all possible new recruits and explain how things work, what needs to be done, basically a question and answering meeting so the new students arent going in cold feet. We attend off season events such as Bash @ the Beach. We do fudraisers; car washes, pasta dinners, raffle tickets, some students help out our 4 FLL teams. (3 in Suffield, 1 in Windsor Locks) Clean shop; get it ready for that big day in January! :D There's definitely lots of things that could go on. Theres some ideas.

[synth3tk]

At the moment, nothing. During our first meeting this year (core group) we decided to start doing off-season activities. We plan on doing fundraisers, supporting our FLL team, and the such.

[Guy Davidson]

We raise money, recruit new members, teach them how to machine / design / program as much as we can befor build, and build a prototype drive train.

[Josh Goodman]

Rah-Cha-Cha Ruckus!!!! :D :D :D

[Cody Carey]

I usually let out an exclamatory word or two and brace for impact. :p

[Davey H]

We attend a bunch of off season events and participate in the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association (O.C.C.R.A.) which is a sort of inter mural robotics league in Oakland County Michigan. It's really cool cause its no adult help, and no sponsors.