2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Well, since the deadline to get in for the 2005 Kickoff in Manchester is fast approaching (and since most people would be in the process of making travel plans at this point anyway), I figure it's time to start figuring out who's going up there.

Currently, I'm 85% sure I'll be going as a volunteer. (But that's not going to stop me from packing a few 1293 shirts...especially this nice and comfy long-sleeved one.)

And Dave...should I borrow someone's hair dryer from here in case the NASA truck needs some de-icing again this year? :D

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm going if I'm living in New England this January... it was a lot of fun last year!

But yea, by before Thanksgiving I'll know if I'm moving 1000 miles away to Florida or living 100 miles away to live back at home :ahh:

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Haha. Unfortunately I won't be going...but let's keep our fingers crossed that the van doesn't freeze up this year ;)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm thinking about going to New Hampshire, but it's hinging on whether or not the WRRF will need me to help out at a tentative January 7th workshop here in California, and whether or not Ken Leung would go back there with me.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

There's a very good possibility that I will be going. This is my 6th year of FIRST and I have never been to a kickoff. I'm very excited for January to come :D

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm game. ;)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Sorry guys, too far from us. We'll be going to the remote kickoff, and the rest of us get to watch the real one on NASA cable. And I'm still crossing my fingers that the weather will be a bit warmer- we sat around in a conference room for half an hour wondering why it was taking so long to get the game.
_Alex

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Again I'm thinking about it, and again it will probally be too expensive for me to go. :(

I may endup at the VCU kickoff. Depends on my work schedule. :-/
I'll save and maybe afford Atlanta again.


Wetzel

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm not going to go to the real kickoff. I will be at the Kokomo remote kickoff site though.

-Kyle

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm considering going. I've been before but it's been a few years. I might have to definitely go if Bill and Ken show up. ;)

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm game to go. Either as a rep from my team, or just to go up and hang out errr... volunteer. :)
I've never been up to The Kickoff in my 4 years in FIRST and this may be the year. Maybe..

If I did want to volunteer, who would I have to contact?
Also, who else is planning on going to volunteer?
And last but not least, what is there to volunteer to do?

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm not sure if we're going to the original kickoff or a remote one.......

*thinks about it*

.....yep, definatley remote. We're too far X_x. Hopefully I'll meet most of you there...... wherever we are going, lol.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm just wondering (being only a 2nd-year FIRSTer)... what is it about the 'real' kickoff that makes is special and attractive for people to come from far-off places just to be there?
_Alex

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

This is part of it.
Meeting people in person is most of the reason I went to San Jose in 2003, and will probally goto nationals again.

Wetzel

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Kickoff is like a belated Chris-kwanz-ukah gift. The year is fresh, you get to see people you haven't seen in months (or years!), people are ready to bury the hatchet of the happenings of the year before in the immediate promise of the new opportunity, and you can cut the excitement in the air with a knife.

It's really cool to be in NH for Kickoff, knowing that the whole community is watching. In 2001 instead of staring at the field at the game I turned around and watched the people watch the field. All I could see was a mass of people from all corners of the world, eyes lit up, gears turning in their heads. That, to me, is FIRST in action.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

There's no way in the world I'll be going this January. But I'm sure I'll make it to one or two in my lifetime. I dunno. The drastic weather change from California to New Hampshire might kill me... =P

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm living so far ;)

I thought about going and then realized I'll still be back in California on break during kickoff...

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

It was only -6 F or so last year. I enjoyed the ability to actually meet people and see the field that day. Plus we picked up our kit on the way home.

We will send 2-4 engineers to go take pictures of the field and get the kit as we do every year.

Pete

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

It says on the kick-off site that the founder's party is for those 18 and over, does that include High School kids who are 18 and older?

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Thats a good question, although I do know in years past they wouldn't let high school students attend kickoff....but I guess we're going to have to wait for an official answer

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

The captain of my team(He was 18) in 2001 went to Manchester for kickoff with his dad, a mentor on the team.

I'm almost 100% certain he went to Dean's house.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I will be going this year.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

i'm going to NJIT

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

They don't check IDs. It's more of a "gracious professionalism" thing. I know that at least one time it came up that the official rules were no high school students at kickoff (this was in years past) and several people had said they'd been there in the past. Basically, FIRST has made a request and would like you to abide by it.

I've actually met both Ken and Bill in the past. I just wouldn't mind seeing them again. ;)

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I also went to the Manchester kickoff in 2001, as a student. Back then, the rules were there but a tad loose, so you could actually take kids to Westwind. The next year they started enforcing the rules, with the "excuse" that alcohol was being served. I'm pretty sure you'd have a hard time trying to convince FIRST these days...

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm like so totally going, man.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Actually, they stopped serving alcohol in 2002. I had a number of discussions with FIRST about the fact that they encouraged college students to start teams but you (officially) had to be 21 years old to attend kickoff. The age was dropped to 18 the next year (although there were others who had some similiar discussions at other times).

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

The age rule is really a liability issue for Dean and FIRST and should be respected as such. That is why they don't want anyone under 18. I believe the rule was phrased as high school students because it was seen as unfair to let those who happened to be 18 by the time of the kick-off senior year go and not the younger students.

I think it's pretty disrespectful to Dean and the organization to just say I'm going because I want to even though I'm not old enough. He doesn't have to allow everyone into his home and with the proliferation of the program over the last few years I'm surprised there has not been a limit placed on the number of people per team, let alone dropping/changing the way the event entirely.

Pete

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Well, it's official, I'm going to the Manchester Kick-Off, but the reason I raised the question is that I'm 18 AND in high school, and I remember there being a rule against high school kids awhile ago, but now it's not on the website at all. I'd like to go to Dean's house, I'm 18 and responsable, but I just wanted to know.

Thanks guys! :)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Your best bet is to ask FIRST about it. None of the answers you get here are in any way official. I'm going to make a guess and say that they probably don't intend for high school students to attend. I may be wrong. Your best option is to just ask.

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Matt,
Haven't you learned by now? ;)

Intent doesn't mean ANYTHING to some people. :rolleyes:
Unless something is EXPLICITLY forbidden in the rules, some will exploit any loophole, to do whatever they want.

FIRST may have INTENDED that HS students not attend the founder's reception. They may have INTENDED that their be a rule change to allow college mentors to fraternize with their peers at the party.

I never went to the founder's reception as a HS student.
I look at it as a sign of respect. The party seems to be intended as a celebration for team MENTORS.

So... if you want to go to the Founder's reception... ask yourself: "Am I allowed to drive the robot?" Because... if the answer is yes. You are probably NOT intended to go to the party at Deans.


John

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVN Matt, Haven't you learned by now? ;) Intent doesn't mean ANYTHING to some people. :rolleyes: Unless something is EXPLICITLY forbidden in the rules, some will exploit any loophole, to do whatever they want. FIRST may have INTENDED that HS students not attend the founder's reception. They may have INTENDED that their be a rule change to allow college mentors to fraternize with their peers at the party. I never went to the founder's reception as a HS student. I look at it as a sign of respect. The party seems to be intended as a celebration for team MENTORS. So... if you want to go to the Founder's reception... ask yourself: "Am I allowed to drive the robot?" Because... if the answer is yes. You are probably NOT intended to go to the party at Deans. John

Am I missing some hidden sarcasm, or are you saying I'm going to exploit FIRST for my benefit? John, I respect you, but come on, your tone is more than condescending to someone who has been a hard working member of my team for 4 years. I never said that I was going to sneak in to the party, nor that I wanted to exploit Dean's hospitality for myself, just that I would

Also John, if they didn't want high school students, why not just say that upfront on the website? I quote from the kick-off website....

Quote:

Founder's Reception A reception will be held on Friday, January 7, 2005 from 6–10PM, at the home of Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST. like to go and the rules seemed odd and unclear from previous year's rules. I raised a genuine question that I had.

Hopefully we can work this out.


**[edit]**


Sent an email and here's what I got back...

Quote:

Hi Joseph! I am sorry, but the Founder's Reception attendees have to be post high school status. We will be correcting the website to show clarify this policy that has been in effect for years. High School Students will not be admitted. As to the Kickoff, students are welcome to attend. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Thelma

Guess that puts that to rest!

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Blah blah blah… I really shouldn't have to say this. I mean, really, this should be a non-issue here. After this post can we just get back to who is going to, or planning to attend the NH Kickoff?

Someone (well, probably more than just the one person I’m thinking of) wise once said that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission when dealing with FIRST. But if they still rule against you or say you can’t do something (like this hypothetical HS student attending the Manchester kickoff thing) you only have yourself to blame. This is why I find it much better to ask FIRST for their intent, and ask for clarification before you waste six weeks of your life working on something illegal or before you spend a few hundred dollars going to NH without being able to attend the kickoff, itself.

When in doubt, ask... don't assume (unless you don't mind wasting time/money).

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Or even better....the annual Kickoff Blizzard/Storm/Weather Catastrophe! Many a year have I driven through terrible conditions to see the game revealing, and last year (from what I heard) was no exception.

So this year is looking sketchy.... (from The Old Farmer's Almanac)....
Better put the snow tires on...

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I am attending the party, and the kickoff


hope to see everybody!!!!!!

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

We have 3 seniors this year, 5 last year. 2 of the 3 are going to be at a black belt camp for our karate school, so only our programmer will be going this year... :(

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Snow tires.. lol That's funny...

And how long have you lived in New England Jess? Don't you remember this year in March waiting outside the Meadows in the snow.

Multiply that by a few inches, and subtract a few degrees, and you'll have the scenario for kickoff in NH.

(Speaking of total cold, I can't wait till the Rochester Regional)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

It's been known to snow here on Commencement (that's in late May)....

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Ok so here it is FIRST has listened to us and has republished the Founder's Reception Information.

Copied from 2005 FRC Manchester Kickoff Information

"Founder's Reception
A reception will be held on Friday, January 7, 2005 from 6–10PM, at the home of Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST.

* Casual Attire
* Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages will be provided
* In Inclement weather shoe booties will be provided at the door
* Four tickets will be distributed to the main contact of your team.
* Attendees must be of post highschool status. High school students will not be admitted."

So now its not you must be 18, its you must be of post highschool status.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Thanks Dez, I got an email back about that too (look at last post). So, who wants to hang out at the local mall Friday night? ;)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

My team is just staying at motorola or at "home" for the kickoff...we brainstorm and act things out and give out ideas. So i guess thats kinda liek going to kickoff lol

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Upon further review… Ken Leung and I have decided not to attend the New Hampshire Kickoff. It’s way too expensive to fly out there, and we feel we’d be much more helpful back here in California (we’re trying to put together a January 7th workshop, and we’ll be helping to put on the remote kickoff in San Jose). Feel free to attend the NH kickoff anyway, though, Matt (or you could come out to San Jose, instead) ;)

Have fun in New Hampshire, all who are attending!

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Team 836 is sending three or four mentors to the live kickoff, the rest and i are going to the kick off in Laurel, MD
Capitol College,

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Not going to the real kickoff.. it's way too far :(

BUT! I made people promise that I can go to the remote kickoff here at.. I think it was USC? -shrugs- Something like that :D

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

looks as though i will defiantly be there with Matt ...we just got our tickets yesterday...see you all there

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'm going to orlando for the kickoff....is that far enough north? feels cold enough to me....

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I suppose I'll have a 6 hour car ride to teach you the proper rules of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. ;)

Matt

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

<sarcasm> oh boy! thats just what everyone wants to do on a 6 hr car ride....</sarcasm>

just try not to get lost in Vermont this time, ok? No use torturing Greg more then you have to ;)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

4 engineers from 177 will be going, including myself. Only one other posts regularly on CD however.
Pete

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I just recently confirmed that I will be going to the founders reception and kickoff. I will be overwhelmed with mirth and uncapable of driving back to Boston Friday night; therefore, I decided to get a room at the Radison. See everyone at the par-tay!

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

We [team 503] are hosting a remote kickoff at Northville high school.

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'll be in NH :)

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

I'll be at the one in MI!!! WWWWWEEEEE!

Hope to see some of ya' there! :D

Re: 2005 Kickoff: Who's going?
 

Team 836 is sending a couple of mentors from our team. Our lead mentor, our electronics mentor and i think our programming mentor are all going. And we are sending 3 mentors/ parents and 6 students to our local kickoff