Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

We are coming upto a banquet for Robotics and a few of the members of my team want to get our 10 mentors thank-you gifts by having each team member throw in some money. One of our ideas was to engrave a wrench with some sort of a message for each mentor, not totally sure where we would get that done though.

Anyone have any other ideas?

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

One of my favorites from FRC 1986, Team Titanium has been a blue denim shirt with the team logo embroidered on it.

I've also received a clock where the numbers were done in colors and fonts from other famous teams.

This year coaches received a wood burned plaque with a fancy towel rack on it to hang our medals from. May have to start being a little more selective on which medals make the rack. :cool:

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Any trophy shop should be able to help you with that; some jewelers might not charge a lot if you explain what it is for.

1676 has provided mentors with personalized team jackets, carry-on luggage, a photo of the entire team, plaques, a wristwatch with the team logo, a Home Depot gift card, at least those are some I remember. Not all in the same year!!

The best gifts are those with memories, not expensive items.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Email me at Alex@twopencildesigns.com We can set something up!




Aaron, have a photo of that clock?

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

As a mentor what I would cherish most would be memories. A simple photo of the team with some sort of book where everyone signed and wrote their favorite moments of the year or something.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

As a long term mentor, gifts such as trophies are appreciated, but I have a lot of trophies and awards. This year the MOE mentors got MOE logo travel mugs (green and black of course). It all depends on your budget but I like mementos that can be used, such as the year the team members used the CNC to make drink coasters from scrap plastic.

Actually the most memorable gift we got was the year one of the students read a poem she wrote called "Angels with Green Halos" and gave everyone a little angel pin. (The men may not have appreciated, but I still wear it.)

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

I think student made gifts are probably the best. For example, milling the mentor's name in some metal and then adding decorations.

Last year, my team made a parody of "Sweet Caroline" for one of our mentors, and it was hilarious.

One tip though, if your team sings, make sure they sing well.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

The most important thing is getting the mentors something, anything at all. A candy bar that says thank you from the students means a ton.
My recommendation is to make it personal. I wear different colored shoes at competition that match our team's colors and they were fading from use so the kids made me these last year.
I'm excited to see what they come up with this year, my competition backpack is getting a little old and it isn't red...

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

i want timing light

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Out team has done something different every year. One of the most memorable was the recipe (and a bag full of ingredients) for one of the graduating captain's "famous" bean-bake. Seriously, having that for lunch one Saturday during build season was the highlight of every year for all 4 years she was on the team, and all the mentors loved it. Now I get to make it at home and have it all I want!

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

a bandsaw would be sweet.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

My most used FIRST gift (volunteer Thank You) is a USB stick in the shape of a key that fits on my key ring. I use it all the time.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

The colors and fonts chosen each represented a well recognized team. The students on 1986 have been very industrious the last couple of years finding creative ways to thank their coaches. I'm amazed they find the time to do these things between robotics, school, and other obligations. It's fun working with students who care this much about what we do.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

1 = 118
2 = 254
3 = 33
4 = 1114
5 = 2056
6 = 16?
7 = 71
8 = ?
9 = ?
10 = 1024
11 = 111

Awesome clock, very jealous.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

9 I think is 987

I don't think the 6 is 16. Maybe 67? Trying to remember.

Does anyone recognize the "8"? I imagine it is a team that features navy blue or black and has a bisecting split 8 in their style choice.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Delphi Elite 48

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

I'm "bumping" this, as we are searching for new ideas for our mentor gifts. I made one of our mentors (who is retiring and moving to Australia to surf!) a mug with a surfing yak on it (our team mascot.) We have given student-made trophies, plaques, shirts, etc. before.

Would love to hear from other mentors what your favorite team gift was/is.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Try Things Remembered - they do lots of stuff with custom engraving at good prices. It looks like there are three in New Hampshire.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

My team refers to our one of our head mentors as Papa Bear; so during the PNW West Valley district event in week 2, we all went to build-a-bear and made him a bear. Something like that, a kind gesture or something that holds a lot of memories is usually received very well.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

WildStang students think up funny gifts to hand out to mentors at our season end party and awards night. I like to 'air guitar' sometimes so they gave me a blowup guitar. It is amazing how creative they can be outside of robots.

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Shhh...we are 3D printing a six stack with a bin and noodle :D

Re: Mentor Gifts Ideas?
 

Hello! For me the best mentor's gift is something that she or he can use or will serve as a remembrance. I suggest an organizing bag or tote for a female and a superb mug for a male mentor. :)