Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Hey everyone! So this post is specifically for the ladies of the FIRST Community! Our team is wanting to make little kits of emergency supplies for ladies at regional, things like hair ties, feminine supplies, bobby pins, and other things that are sometimes hard to come across at a competition. :) Does anyone have any other ideas of things that are hard to come across at a competition?

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

This is a pretty cool idea - and definitely helpful for the ladies of FRC.
I know one year, a team at NC Regional put baskets in the ladies restroom with feminine supplies.
Generally speaking, maybe some band aids and antiseptic/alcohol wipes? Just for minor cuts/injuries (like papercuts and knicks.)
Other than that, I don't really see anything else that would be needed.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Throat lozenges both menthol and non-menthol is something we also make sure to take with us.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

safety pins.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

This is totally a great idea! I know that I always bring a flashlight, at least two hair ties, and an Altoids tin full of "girl-stuff" (yes I just used that term) to fit in my back pocket at all times. This next one wouldn't be something we could provide on a large scale, but I think maybe some of us should bring multi-tools or Swiss Army Knives as well? It'd be helpful to have some extra tools on hand, don't you think??

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Depending on your regional - extra soap. Some of the competitions run out and don't always refill promptly. (In NYC, this happens sometimes on Sunday because we share the bathroom with the NYC FLL finals and there are a lot of girls there so the bathroom gets extra use.)

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

travel-sized deodorant
small hand cream and/or chapstick? (it is so hot & dry at some events)
tissues

Great idea! :)

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Lip hydration has been a big problem for me, I don't know why, perhaps I get too caught up in the event that I don't properly hydrate myself. I make a point of bringing a tube of lip balm to every first event, and I double up when travelling due to the difference in humidity. I usually try to keep one per pair of pants when travelling.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Can we get this for the boys at the regional too? :p

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

I've found that hair ties and bobby pins are the main things I bring. Our team has a small box in our toolbox with hair ties and bobby pins for those that forget them.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

http://www.amazon.com/Speed-Stick-De...ds=speed+stick

http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Powder-...eodorant+trial

I wonder what people would say if teams started giving these away as freebies... we need to get a deodorant sponsor.


Also, as a guy with long hair, I probably should wear a hair tie more in the pits more often than I do. Though as a programmer the main times I end up risking getting caught in the robot are changing batteries, messing with the router, and checking electrical connections. Most of which involve the robot being unable to move and make matters worse, but better to be safe than sorry.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

I use the large VEX chain to hold all my keys together, because the chain pops apart, and it's really easy to put new rings on, but I also used some of the open unused links for hair ties, since my hair , when pulled down straight from its natural curly state, can reach my waist. Add moving parts in a robot, and I've got disaster if my hair isn't tied.

I always keep around three hair ties on my VEX chain just in case I snap one since my curls poof with ridiculous, uncontrollable volume. The chain stays on a carabiner, and the carabiner on a belt loop. It's convenient for everyday use, and competition use. Since I carry spares, I'll always be willing to donate a hair tie to a long haired FIRST-er in need, female or male!

I highly recommend trying the VEX chain for keys. you can hold so much with it. Just make a small loop about the diameter of two inches, and you have more than enough "slots" for hair ties, fobs, keys, and whatever else you want to put on it. Then link the chain loop to a carabiner, and you have a convenient way to store all your dangling essentials.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Check in with senior mentor Kathie Kentfield - she used to build these kits in the early 00s up in NE and they were super useful.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

First of all, I'm a boy and I have long hair. But I always have spare hair ties at competition.

Sleep is another thing hard to come across at competition :p , and I wish it was just as simple as pausing time, but I can't see how we can overcome the sleep issue.

Re: Girls, need a hair tie?
 

Purel is essential but it is only good if you use it. I carry mine around my neck on my ID lanyard.