Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

Hey everyone!

Well, I was just wondering if there were any other displaced FIRSTers around. And when I say "displaced" I mean someone who has moved to a new location and is still trying to meet people (especially in the FIRST community!). I thought that perhaps I could start a thread that could get FIRSTers who were in a new place in touch with other FIRSTers. Or, maybe to just discuss where you are and why.

I guess I'll go first. :) I'm a displaced FIRSTer (as well as a transplanted New Yorker) in San Diego, CA and was wondering if there were any others in this area (still really new to the area and trying to figure this place out). I'm a recent college graduate (who knew I'd actually graduate!) and I'm working for Northrop Grumman out here on the left coast.

Anyone else? In my vicinity or anywhere in the country?

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

There's actually 10 teams in San Diego, correct me if I'm wrong. They recently held an offseason scrimmage, which was also part all night lan party:D. It was cool. Some of the teams located in San Diego are:
812, 1079, 1266, 1372, 1527, 1538, 1572, 1613, 1622, and 1682.

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

I am incredibly displaced. I'm from Detroit, MI and currently work in Fort Myers, FL, and will be here from January through March.

Ft. Myers is in Lee County, which as you can see from Tytus's map:

Is AT LEAST 2 hours away from any FIRST teams. Looks like I'm in exile for now :(

Oh, and for all of you wishing to be the 46,262nd person to ask, "Dan, why don't you just start your own FIRST team in Ft. Myers?" I point them to Matt Leese's Conference Presentation:

Running a Team
Year long commitment (I only am in FL 6 months out of the year)
Very high stress
High workload
Very high responsibility
Can be very disruptive to studies
High involvement but in a very different manner

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

I can be found now in State College, PA. I changed schools after this past spring from Wilkes-Barre to University Park, PA. I am in the dead center of the state in Centre County right where Bellefonte is. Seems convenient, except no teams, and my team is 2.5 hours away.

PA FIRST Map

Anyone moving to the area, feel free to contact me. :]

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

My family has moved to Philly, and I'm going to college in Dayton. Yeah, I've moved on from the whole VCU/VA FIRST thing, and quite happy too....

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

I'm heading up to RIT next year so I'm pretty much being displaced from my former team since RIT's vacation only lasts 1 week into the build so I'm sure I'll end up as a college mentor on team 340, 1511, 73 or one of the other teams up there. (perferribly a team that has a history or traveling to UTC since its my hometown, or down to NJ, BAE or somewhere my old team always talks about so I could maybe catch up with old friends at the regionals.)

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

It might be a bit rough finding a team that doesn't go to the Finger Lakes Regional or Canadian or Cleveland (those are the closest). But the Finger Lakes Regional is at RIT...and can be fun to work. The people in the FIRST Robotics Club at RIT are pretty cool though. And the new President is real nice (his name is Kevin). Good luck at RIT! (I'm a RIT alum if you didn't know) :)

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

Here some displacement for you...I'm from RI, Team 121, and i got moved to San Diego,CA... I joined the Marines...Luckily, i'm getting in touch with some local teams, so no worries.

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

To the two people displaced in San Diego. We'll set you up with a team to mentor! We have teams in most areas of San Diego, even though there are only aorund 10 of us. Contact me for more info!


Rob Mainieri
rmainier@ucsd.edu

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

Hi, yes I am JosephM's dad, and proud of it! I am also a FIRST fanatic. I have been a mentor for Team 384 in Richmond, VA for 5 years. Now I have moved to PA just north of Philly in a town called Yardley. I am very interested in mentoring another team. Any teams in the area in need of a mentor. I am an electrical engineer with experience in programming, wiring, motors, speed control, robotics, and electronics manufacturing. Any teams need any of that kind of help? I have also been an inspector 4 years and lead inspector 2 years, judge at 3 regional events and judge at the last 2 championships, a FIRST Ambassador, a member of the VCU regional board of directors, a sponsor, and a field reset volunteer.

I don't know the Philly area well yet but am willing to drive to get to a team.

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

I'm a Team 66 Alumni from Ypsilanti, MI. I'm going to school at the Air Force Academy in Co Springs, CO now and would love to hook up with a team here.

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

I'm an #1168 alumnus from the Philadelphia area who now goes to college at Harvey Mudd, which is in Claremont, CA (near Los Angeles). A 2,687 mile displacement. I don't know of any teams in the immediate vicinity, either, and I don't have any real means of transportation (LA's public transport system is rather nonexistant).

I'd ponder trying to get Mudd to sponsor a team at a local high school, but the whole "being a freshman" thing doesn't really make this particularly possible. I guess it's going to be a year for remote-mentoring Malvern Robotics....

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

Team 968 is in West Covina which is fairly close to Claremont. I'm not sure if that helps you or not.

Matt

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

Team 968, RAWC is definitely the closest to Claremont. If you're willing to go a little farther there are Teams 867, 995, 1159, and 1160. I know 1160 is actively looking for mentoring help. They are about 20 miles from Claremont. Contact me if you need help getting in touch with somebody. Team 1160 has a member or two running around here. Transportation would certainly be an issue, but maybe somebody would be willing to come get you. It isn't that far by LA standards.

ChrisH

Re: Are you a displaced FIRSTer?
 

hi christina, remember me? i've been with team 810 for the past four years and now i'm in carnegie mellon university, designing robots to take over the world (and oh yeah, rescue earthquake victims). i know there's a regional here in pittsburgh, and a bunch of teams, but i havnt met with anyone yet.