Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Chesapeake Regional Newsletter to the teams
Update #1-January 23, 2008

Welcome to all the 62 teams!

Chesapeake Regional Lingo
• USNA: United States Naval Academy
• Halsey Field House: on the USNA, where the event is held; also home of The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center
• Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium: Shuttle pick-up and drop-off on “Blue Side” parking, near the Blue Angel is off Taylor Ave. Not on the Academy grounds, but rather about 2 miles from the USNA.
• Annapolis: Home of the nation’s oldest statehouse in continuous legislative use, historic 18th century seaport “city” with winding streets, cobblestone roads, limited parking, surrounded by water. City Dock, with restaurants is a 10 minute walk from Halsey. www.visitannapolis.org has an excellent visitor guide booklet you can request. Annapolis is 30-45 minutes from Baltimore and Washington DC. The closest airport is BWI. Some teams combined the trip with a visit to their representatives and to see the sights in Washington DC last year
• Gate 1: Entry closest to the Halsey. Not to be confused with Gate 8, about a mile away. Team vehicles will use Gate 8. The USNA is a big place.


Chesapeake Regional website:
• www.chesapeakefirst.org
• www.usna.edu/FIRST/ where to find bus and tool truck paperwork and access info
• FIRST Regional info: http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...nts.aspx?id=43


Access to the Academy Grounds: http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/access


My team will be arriving by bus (school or charter):

1. Need to fill out a pass and submit no later than March 2. Vehicles without pre-approved passes will not be granted access to the USNA, no exceptions made. A separate form is needed for each bus. http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/access
2. You should get a response once your form is submitted.
3. Bus will enter Gate 8 and drop off at Halsey. Exit at Gate 1. Follow the signage.
4. Driver can then drive to Stadium to park, take shuttle bus back to the Halsey for the day, return to the Stadium to pick up bus, and then return to Halsey through Gate 8 at the assigned time to pick up the students. Please do not have all the students ride the shuttle bus to return to the Stadium, as it will create the delays.
5. Make sure each person has a photo ID. School-issued student picture ID’s are accepted. Those without picture government issued or picture school ID cannot enter the USNA unless accompanied by an adult with a government issued picture ID.
6. There is some construction around the Stadium and around Halsey. Please be warned to allow extra time.

My team will be arriving by van (rental or institutional):
1. Need to fill out a pass and submit no later than March 2. Vehicles without pre-approved passes will not be granted access to the USNA, no exceptions made. A separate form is available for each van. http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/access
2. You should get a response once your form is submitted
3. Van will enter Gate 8 and drop off at Halsey. Exit Gate 1. Follow the signage.
4. Driver can then drive to Stadium to park, take shuttle bus back to the Halsey for the day, return to the Stadium by shuttle to pick up van, and then return to Halsey through Gate 8 at the assigned time to pick up the students. Please do not have all the students ride the shuttle bus to return to the Stadium, as it will create the delays.
5. Make sure each person has a photo ID. School-issued student picture ID’s are accepted. Those without picture government issued or picture school ID cannot enter the USNA unless accompanied by an adult with a government issued picture ID.
6. There is construction around the Stadium and around Halsey. Please be warned to allow extra time.

My team will be arriving by private car:
1. No private cars will be allowed access onto the USNA grounds.
2. An exception is made for private cars with handicapped tags, or DOD stickers, but be prepared to show documentation.
3. Team members can be dropped by Gate 1, go through Security and walk to Halsey next door. They can arrange to be picked up outside of Gate 1.
4. Make sure each person has a photo ID. School-issued student picture ID’s are accepted. Those without picture government issued or picture school ID cannot enter the USNA unless accompanied by an adult with a government issued picture ID.


Tool Vehicle-My team is coming by bus/van/car and we have extra tools that do not fit in our bus/van.
1. Can assign one personal truck or van to be the team “Tool vehicle”.
2. Need to fill out a pass and submit no later than March 2. Vehicles without pre-approved passes will not be granted access to the USNA, no exceptions made. A separate form is available for “Tool Vehicles” http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/access
3. You should get a response once your form is submitted
4. The driver must be the same as registered on the form.
5. Tool vehicles will only be allowed on the USNA on
• Thursday March 13, am,
• Sat. March 15 pm.
6. Tool Vehicle will enter Gate 8 and drop off at Halsey.
7. The vehicle may only drop off; no parking allowed and this vehicle may be pulled aside for extra inspection at the gate, so allow plenty of time.
8. After drop off, the tool vehicle can return to the Stadium to park, and take the shuttle back to Halsey.
9. Make sure each person has a photo ID. Student picture ID’s are accepted. Those without picture government issued or picture school ID cannot enter the USNA unless accompanied by an adult with a picture ID.
10. There is no Tool vehicle shuttle this year, supplied by the event.


My team is staying nearby and walking.
1. Read information about Tool vehicle.
2. Enter and exit through Gate 1, go through Security to Halsey.
3. Make sure each person has a photo ID. School-issued student picture ID’s are accepted. Those without picture government issued or picture school ID cannot enter the USNA unless accompanied by an adult with a government issued picture ID.


Parking:
• Parking is off-site at the Stadium. There will be no parking on the USNA grounds.
• Halsey is near Gate 1. A shuttle bus will be running between the Stadium and Halsey. Parking will be free to everyone involved in FIRST.
• For information about parking in Annapolis: http://www.visitannapolis.org/



Shipping:
• Teams doing back-to-back Regionals with the Chesapeake should contact Shepard Exposition Services ASAP to price out extra expedited shipping. Your crate will need to be in drayage for the Chesapeake on Monday, March 10. See Section 4.9.7. http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...nt.aspx?id=452
• http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...t.aspx?id=3570 will be posting site specific info


Hotels:
• The Annapolis Conference and Visitors Bureau can serve as a clearinghouse to assist the teams seeking hotels. 1-888-302-2852 for Joyce Baki (ext 106) jbaki@visitannapolis.org or Andrew Heidt (ext 107) aheidt@visitannapolis.org Joyce and Andrew assisted many teams last year. Annapolis has been chosen by National Geographic Adventure magazine as one of the country's top ten waterfront towns! http://www.visitannapolis.org/


Food:
• Yes the rumor is true. You can bring your own food into Halsey. No food allowed in the stands! As long as teams continue to clean up, the Chesapeake Regional can continue to offer this perk.
• I am awaiting information if there will be a pre-order option. Many places to eat within 10 minutes walking to City Dock outside Gate 1. On USNA grounds is the Drydock Restaurant.

Schedule:
• [not yet posted but will be similar to previous years] NEMO resources page has some great papers, including "Competition Tips-What to Expect" http://www.firstnemo.org/resources.htm

Team Social:
• There is no team social scheduled for the Chesapeake Regional but the planning committee is still investigating. I will alert all teams if this changes.


Volunteering:
• Still recruiting lots of volunteers to help out at the event. https://my.usfirst.org/vims/logon.lasso?page=logon
• We still need a “Lead Team Queuer” This is a key position.
• Be sure to designate “Chesapeake.”

Student Volunteers:
• We welcome the participation of student singers for opening ceremonies, and student ambassadors for tours. Send me the names of students interested, along with your team number. jbeatty@usfirst.org


USNA Admission talks/Tours of the USNA

• Information about the USNA and admissions will be available.
• Tours of the Academy are available. http://www.usna.edu/visit.htm

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

I'll be down there volunteering with gusto, can't wait to add this awesome regional to my resume

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

No hay problema. The point is that, even though you believe that they are of no value, they are still the foundation of your society.

In essence, try for real science without Aristotle and Archimedes. They defined science for you guys. You best be greatful.

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Chesapeake Regional Newsletter to the teams-Update #2-January 31, 2008

This is UPDATED Information since Update #1:

1. Access to the Academy Grounds: http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/

2. USNA Admission talks/Tours of the USNA

• Information about the USNA and admissions will be available.
For tours, please contact the visitor center. http://www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/VC/

3. Team Social:
• There will be NO official Team Social scheduled for the Chesapeake Regional -2008. I will pass on any information about team-sponsored social events to all the teams.

4. Volunteering:

• Still recruiting lots of volunteers to help out at the event. https://my.usfirst.org/vims/logon.lasso?page=logon
• We still need referees and team queuers.
• Be sure to designate “Chesapeake.”


5. Chesapeake "Team Showcase"
Each year the planning committee receives requests from the teams for space to put up a booth or table, to demonstrate a product or to give-away cool stuff. We are impressed by the creativity and initiative shown by the teams. However, with 60+ teams at Chesapeake, we have a shortage of space.
This year, we are going to pilot a "Showcase" area. The first 20 teams who register will be assigned a one-hour time slot on Thursday March 13, between 9-7 pm, starting on the hour. The team will be allowed a standard 2' by 6' table at a site TBD (may be in the pits). Two teams at two tables will be featured in the Showcase at the same time.
Teams will be responsible for staffing this table during their assigned hour. They may display a banner on the front of the table (need to bring own tape, etc.) They may give-away items that fit the guidelines listed here: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedfiles...D_SiteInfo.pdf. They may demonstrate a product. They may conduct a training session. No selling of products or selling/giving out food is allowed.
To register, send Jenny Beatty jbeattyfirst@gmail.com the team #, the team contact for the Showcase, with their email and a brief description of what your team would like to do during your 59 minutes. An agenda of the Showcase will be given to all the teams at the Chesapeake. This is a pilot project and we will rely on the cooperation of the teams participating to make it work. We will only be able to accommodate the first 20 teams who sign up.

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

A question about getting onto the grounds:
Last year my dad was able to drive on the grounds (my dad has a military / government id) without any prior approval, do you know if this still applies this year? Has anything changed?

Would that be this exception: "An exception is made for private cars with handicapped tags, or DOD stickers, but be prepared to show documentation."

Thanks already,
Will

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Hey Glenn!

I'm so glad to see you guys heading back to 'our' regional! I'm sure the folks from 165 will disagree with that comment! Give us a shout if there is ANYTHING we can do to help you all out! See you in 5 weeks!

Best regards,

Steve

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Actually, 165 is sitting out this year.

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

HELLOOooo from the NE :D
We are in the last full week of build, hope all is going well for all the teams. We are going to CT this weekend for the Suffield Shakedown should be a Hoot we have a big surprise for all Sat. Chesapeake with 62 teams should be a super time, we at TJ2 are looking forward to it, we will be loading the bus in 5 weeks for the 8+ hours ride. See You Sooooooon
oh yeah ??? OH YEAH !!!!
Team 88 TJ2 and MOE :yikes:

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

I'm sorry to hear that. 165 is a great team. They will be missed. Hopefully we will see them again next year.

Best regards,

Steve

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Come on down! We are always happy to see TJ2! See you in 5 weeks!

Best regards,

Steve

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Helloooooo from NE :D
We at TJ2 will miss Team 165! We are one of the teams who got them into FIRST. Back in 1997 they saw us at the old J&J NJ Reg. on the way back home from an event in NY and could see the team work, learning experience and fun that everyone experienced with the program. We talked to them about FIRST and the rest is history. I hope that TEAM 165 is back in 09, and a BIG HELLOOOO to DEB and DAVE. It has been great having you (165) among the teams of FIRST. :yikes:
GOOD LUCK TO ALL See YA Sooooooon
oh yea ???? OH YEAH !!!!
TEAM 88 TJ2 and MOE

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Out to the teams:

Chesapeake Regional Newsletter to the teams-Update #3-February 21, 2008

1. New on FIRST website re: Chesapeake Regional
2. Access to USNA – notice re: USNA website
3. Team dinner hosted by Team 75 & 2016
4. Team Showcase at Chesapeake Regional
5. Call for Student Volunteers – Ambassadors & Singers
6. Volunteers still needed
7. New Scholarships just added in Maryland
8. Shuttle schedule for public and VIPS – TBA
9. Previously posted information


1. New under Chesapeake Regional http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...ts.aspx?id=430

• Agenda
• Box lunch order form.
• Consent forms

2. NOTE: USNA website to submit paperwork for bus and tool truck passes is being repaired. I will send an email to the team contacts when it is operational. Thank you for your patience. Forms are found here:
Access to the Academy Grounds: http://www.usna.edu/FIRST/


3. Team 75 RoboRaiders and 2016 MMY Dinner (catch up with old friends and make new ones)
Date: Friday, March 14, 2008
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm - Dinner is from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Place: The Westin Annapolis, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Cost: $15.00/person (includes buffet dinner and DJ)
RSVP: Recruit1@cpcus.jnj.com March 3, 2008
Payment: Due by March 6, 2008
Checks: Payable to Hillsborough High School and in the memo write: Team 75/2016 Dinner/Social
Mail checks to: Theresa M. Edwards, 199 Grandview Road, SG319, Skillman, Nj 08558
Supervision: Each team must have a minimum of 3 Adult Chaperones for the entire social.

4. Chesapeake "Team Showcase" – still plenty of time slots!
We will be piloting a "Showcase" area. The first 20 teams who register will be assigned a one-hour time slot on Thursday March 13, between 9-7 pm, starting on the hour. The team will be allowed a standard 2' by 6' table at a site TBD (may be in the pits). Two teams at two tables will be featured in the Showcase at the same time.
Teams will be responsible for staffing this table during their assigned hour. They may display a banner on the front of the table (need to bring own tape, etc.) They may give-away items that fit the guidelines listed here: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedfiles...D_SiteInfo.pdf. They may demonstrate a product. They may conduct a training session. No selling of products or selling/giving out food is allowed.
To register, send Jenny Beatty jbeattyfirst@gmail.com the team #, the team contact for the Showcase, with their email and a brief description of what your team would like to do during your 59 minutes. An agenda of the Showcase will be given to all the teams at the Chesapeake. This is a pilot project and we will rely on the cooperation of the teams participating to make it work.

5. Student Volunteers:
• Student Ambassadors: Send names of 2-3 students from your team who are interested in being "Student Ambassadors" on Friday and Saturday, giving VIP tours. We will provide training on Thursday. Students may not volunteer as Student Ambassadors if they are on the drive team. Send to jbeattyfirst@gmail.com
• Student Singers: Sent me the names of 1-2 students from your team who are interested in singing the national anthem at opening ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. These students will meet and audition as a group on Thursday. We have done this the past 2 years, and it is a lot of fun. Send to jbeattyfirst@gmail.com

6. Volunteering:

• Still recruiting lots of volunteers to help out at the event. https://my.usfirst.org/vims/logon.lasso?page=logon
• We still need referees
• Be sure to designate “Chesapeake.”

7. New Scholarship:
The University of Maryland/BAE Systems FIRST Scholarship is for $2,500/year, renewable up to $10,000 over four years. Seniors in FRC who plan to study engineering in the A. James Clark School of Engineering are eligible to apply. This scholarship is now listed on the FIRST Scholarship website at www.usfirst.org/scholarships.


8. Shuttle bus schedule -TBA. Look for this on www.chesapeakefirst.org

9. Previously posted: http://www.chesapeakefirst.org/regio...venueusna.html

a. Chesapeake Regional Lingo
b. Access to the USNA by bus, van, or on foot, parking
c. Food
d. Hotels.

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

"
Food:
• Yes the rumor is true. You can bring your own food into Halsey. No food allowed in the stands! As long as teams continue to clean up, the Chesapeake Regional can continue to offer this perk.
• I am awaiting information if there will be a pre-order option. Many places to eat within 10 minutes walking to City Dock outside Gate 1. On USNA grounds is the Drydock Restaurant."

That's pretty cool of them. Also, can you guys recommend some near-by places for some affordable and good food? Or if there is some type of map of hte area provided at the regional by some teams. I know that this type of map was given out at NYC last year.

Re: 2008 Chesapeake Regional
 

Chick and Ruth's Delly on Main St! 5-10 minute walk into town from Gate 1, or see if they'll deliver (the web site claims they deliver to the USNA). We go out of our way to stop there whenever we're passing near. Best NY Deli not in NY!