2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

The Second Annual Where Is Wolcott Invitational is set for

13th of June 2009

At
Wolcott High School (New location)
457 Boundline Rd
Wolcott CT 06716

The cost is still $200 and you can go to our web site to register
www.max1071.com

We had a great time last year and hope to see more teams this year.

More info to come

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Last year at lunch time we had two competitions

Fastest Lap
Best Hurdler

This year we are working on two lunch time competitions as of now we are looking towards:

Best Pay Load Specialist (Human Player against Human Player)
Fastest Gatherer/Scorer
"On the ice" obstacle course and gathering (kinda like pacman ((without the ghosts)))

Any other suggestions for a good quick mini competition are welcome. So Please make some!!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thank you for the information!
This was a great event last year! I'll bring this up to my mentors.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

I plan to be there, and host a NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) workshop also. Mentors, what would you find helpful in a June workshop? Ideas for team recruitment? Fundraising? Teambuilding exercises to use in the fall?

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Kathie, I think that people would especially appreciate a fundraising workshop, since many teams have lots sponsorship in these difficult economic times. Recruitment and teambuilding are also areas in which people ask for lots of advice, so I think those would also be well received.

Team 1071, I am looking forward to being at WiWI again this year. :D

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We are definitely looking forward to seeing the Uberbots here. It will be nice to see more teams this year but to be honest we really liked the quick turn over we had last year and the none stop action. We are defintely looking into ways to keep every team active. We recruited mobs of students to help with field reset. We really want to keep a fast pace through out the day again.

Don't forget team GUS will be cooking lunch.

Also we will be at a new, bigger location

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Kathie, Maybe I will email you on this if you do not check this thread but I am wondering if it would be worth while to address some of the awards that are dropping or low in submissions (animation, chairman's, whatever else) I do not know all the awards that fit in this catagory but what I hear (which could be completely inaccurate) is that even though there are more teams around some awards are going on with only a handful of submissions.

Would this be something worth discussions? Plans could even be made for training in the fall like last year to help promote them.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Rob, you know you can count on me being there helping out either Friday and/or Saturday - whenever you need some help this year, you just let me know!
-Elgin

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thanks for ideas for the workshops - please feel free to send me more ideas!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We certainly could use your help on Friday night Elgin. Though it seems the field set-up should be easier I am a little nervous about the new control system. I am hoping Mike D. is also going to be around

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Sounds good Rob!
I'll keep watching this thread for any new info or catch up with you in Hartford.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

On behalf of Team 228, we would like to extend an offer to lend our practice robot out to any 2010 pre-rookie teams in the general Connecticut area looking to compete at the Where's Wolcott Invitational (or any other New England offseason competition, as long as we can arrange for it). We'll have everything you need to compete (robot, control system, driver station, batteries, and one or two students and/or mentors to help teach you the ropes), and our practice robot is completely FRC-legal.

So if any CT teams are looking to start a new FRC team this year, and would like a chance to compete in June, let us know and we'd be more than happy to help you out!

In case you were wondering, here's our practice robot - it should be a blast for pre-rookies to drive around! :D

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

I emailed DutraIII about using this robot. I think we have a group and I know your back up is a solid machine. I also think we could work out something with the entrance fee for pre rookie teams. I do not know exactly what would work but if there are any teams trying to bring a pre rookie team with them you should email us from the web site and we will at least talk about this.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

If there are any CT pre-rookie teams out there please have them contact me ASAP. Thank you.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

I plan to hold a workshop on Team Organization. I have heard from several teams that this is something they need help with.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Because this year we will be at the high school (instead of the building we used last year) we have a lot of space/facilities to run the NEMO meeting. We can have computers, Tvs, etc. made available. So hopefully we can address any situation as long as we know ahead of time.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Has registration begun for Where is Wolcott? I have visited the site numerous times, and there is no downloadable form. I have contacted the email listed several times as well and have not yet received a response. If anyone from 1071 reads this, please have someone contact me at the team's address, robosquad558@yahoo.com.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

I will look into this and thank you. There is an email address on the invitational site that you can used to sign up. The site will be updated very soonas we are putting ina lot of new information.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

The invitational page has been updated. I have made the link to the registration form bigger and in an area that is easier to see.

I am also contacting the mentor in charge of registration to see if there is a problem with the email set up.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thank you, Rob. I found the form, filled it out and emailed it to the address on your site. Now I just have to figure out where to send the registration fee!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. We had a great time at this event last year, and are looking forward to competing again (even though it is on my wedding anniversary!!) I encourage other teams in the area to consider attending as well. It was a well run event and a lot of fun for the teams that attended last year.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

As plans for the second WIW progress we have some plans in the works. Like most invitationals we have made some rule changes that we think will be fun.

1. We will not be following rule G14 where teams are penalized for doubling or tripling the opponents score
2. The payload specialist sitting at the center of the field will be allowed to to throw the empty cells over the barrier during the last 20 seconds only. He can always pass the empty cells through the opening like designed.
3. We are going to place 8 balls on the field to start the game. In each half of the field there will be 3 moon rocks and one super cell on the field. I think my pic explains where the balls will go. All balls will be taken from payload specialist stations so each station will have one less moon rock and each alliance will have one less supercell at the stations.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thanks! We, too, have sent inquiry emails (on Mar 25 and Apr 21) for which we haven't received any response. The emails were sent to max1071frc at gmail.com and haven't bounced, but haven't led to any replies, either. My speculation would be that there isn't anybody actually checking the gmail account for mail...

In any case, below is the email we had been sending. The new web page actually provides answers to most of our questions, however, so an additional response isn't really needed at this time, other than to let you all know that 1519 is interested in possibly attending.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

I really apologize for this!! We have been working hard as a group getting this invitational together. It seems we have lost our registration director :ahh: because he is not responding to my messages to him. From now on all emails will go to me and I guarantee that you will get a responce in 24 hours if not much sooner. I will stop teaching my class in mid sentence to respond (not really).

I will also have new details to put in the web site soon.

Rob

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

My email is

Rcormier@wolcottps.org

feel free to email me directly with any questions
Rob

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Wow. Change the email and 2 quick sign ups.

Elm City Robo Squad
Aces High

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Team 230 Gaelhawks
Team 1099 Lions

are both in

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We are currently at 1/2 capacity. 12 teams signed up and 12 teams to go.

During any down time (and during lunch) we are planning on holding a best pay load specialist contest. It will be kinda like the NBA 3 point shooting contest. The Payload Specialist (Human Player) will get ten orbit balls placed at each of their three stations. In a limited amount of time they will need to move from station to station seeing how many of the orbit balls they can get in. We might even use supercells and make them worth more points. When teams sign in in the morning we will ask if you team wants to be a apart of this. We will also ask for your Payload Specialist to be ready on short notice because we might run these matches whenever there is a lag time. Last years 2 mini events were a lot of fun to watch I hope this one is also.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We're getting geared up and ready to find out Where Wolcott is!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

With Where is Wolcott less than a month away, I'm asking teams to please let me know if they will be sending mentor(s) to the free NEMO Workshop on Team Organization, which will be held from 10am to noon. It's helpful to me to know if I'll have 4 people in attendance or 40! kathiek at firstnemo.org

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Our limit is going to be 24 teams. We are approaching that number now. We need 8 teams to be at capacity.

Also it seems we are using FMS Light for robot communications. We still plan on working out our field set up so teams are not missing the features they are used to having.

We will also be sending a member to the NEMO meeting

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Kathy, I should be there.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

looking forward to it... I haven't been in CT since Bash at the Beach =\

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Hey!

I sent an e-mail to the address listed on the Where's Wolcott website, but I thought I'd post here as well. I'm available to help on Friday/Saturday as well, and have experience in FTAA. I wouldn't mind helping with field setup if it's needed, or wherever else you may need help.

Can't wait, this will be my first time to this event!

Jacob Komar

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

2 Week Countdown...

*The suspense is killing me on Vol. Assign. alone =P*

Hopefully I'll have something fun to do there =)

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We still have openings!! If you haven't signed up yet get your team together and go to our web site.

All of the plans are coming together. We have had a lot of support from the community and many volunteers from other teams which is wonderful.

Now we just need a few more teams. We certainly have enough to run the event but a few more teams would give you guys at least a few minutes to breath between matches. Last year thinsg were going so fast a few teams were icing down motors :ahh:

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

The days is filling up! If you are coming to the WIW plan on having a team member attend the events here.
NEMO will be meeting 10am-12noon
A Controller Feedback meeting will also be held 10am-12noon. Your chance to give feedback on the new control system and maybe even ask a few questions.
An informational meeting on "Greening FIRST" will also be here. I am not sure the time frame but it will be worth while

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

If you have any new students/parents/mentors/sponsors or administrators interested in FIRST please invite them to Where is Wolcott. I'll be giving a brief intro to FIRST and the competition from 8:30am to 9:30am in the Resource Center.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

We have one more spot to fill!! Anyone out there that wants to come?

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Special thanks to 716 & 558 for pulling our bacon out of the fire and helping us defend our champion status for the 2nd year in a row. And an odd thanks to 1902. We only started winning matches after we put thier winged pig on the robot.

Thank you Team Max for hosting a trully memorable event.

Congratulations also go out to all of the mentors who played head to head with the kids in the elimination matches. Thank you 228 for the loan of a fine machine, hopefully we didn't break it beyond repair. If Max is willing the torMentors will be back next year.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thanks to all on Team Max for putting on a great event. The double elimination format for the tournament is a nice change from the usual quarters, semis, finals.

Congrats to Teams 716, 558 and 230 on the win. You guys were tenacious.

Thanks to 1124 for picking us first and "The Rookies" for playing like veterans all the way to the end.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Team 1071, thanks for hosting another great event! I had a lot of fun yesterday. It was a nice change of pace from the high-stress environment of other competitions, and it was good to see our friends on other local teams in attendance. You should keep the mentor matches for next year, those were fun. I enjoyed having our mentors play our high school students in two matches. The mentors beat the students in one of the matches! The friendly rivalry was great.

Congratulations to teams 716, 558, and 230 for your win. You played some excellent matches! I've enjoyed playing on alliances with all of your teams in the past, it was too bad we had to play against you this time.

Team 176, thanks for playing with us. I think I was only from my team old enough to have been on the field when we partnered with you in 2006, but I was glad to work with you again... even if my position has been passed on to new generations of high school students, and I was really just watching from the sidelines.

To the rookies from OWTHS, it was extra special to have you on our alliance since we helped Josh to start your team! Just another extension of the partnership. Good luck in your rookie season, from the looks of it you're already off to a great start.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thank you Team Max for putting on such a spectacular event, Team Alchemist (aka the "Rookies"), had a great time, and would like to thank all who helped us out including but not limited to: Team RAGE because without them we wouldn't have a bot, The Uberbots and Aces High for pulling us threw.

Congratulations on the win to 716, 558, and 230. that was fun.

The Where's Wolcott Invitational is a great place to see what FIRST and FRC is about, my team sends thanks to all who attended.

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Awesome showing Team Alchemist!
Way to show what Ollie Wollie Tech can bring to the mix! ::safety::

My team (Team 237 - who were not at Wolcott unfortunately this past weekend) is a quick ride down Rt. 8 from you in Watertown so if you need anything feel free to send me a message & I'll see what we can do to help!

Can't wait to see how your team makes out in your upcoming rookie year!

Good luck in the future!:)

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Just wanted to add a belated thanks to team 1071 for hosting another great event and to team 228 for providing such a tasty lunch. And of course thanks to our alliance captain, team 716. It was great to finally work with you guys after watching you for so many years. And to our other alliance partner, our good friends at 230. We worked together during build, scouted together at the regional and it was great to win one alongside such a great bunch of mentors and kids.

Finally, thanks to 1124, 176 and the rookie team for a well-played final two matches! It was exciting to the very finish (176, could we have possibly played against you one more time this year? I mean, really, were we ever together at the regional or in Atlanta? Here's hoping we get the chance to play alongside you for a change at the Bash at the Beach in the fall!)

For those of you in the CT area who weren't able to make it to WIW this year, I would definatley recommend that you consider going next year. A well run event, and a great opportunity as the school year winds down to get your underclassment excited about the upcoming season, and to introduce new students and potential mentors to what FIRST is all about.

Thanks again! See you next year!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Thank you to Team 1071 for another great event.

Starting with a supercell on the floor caused a major shift in strategy and I feel brought the audience into the game right away. I also enjoyed the double elimination tournament format. Not only did it allow a five alliance finals to work, it changed the dynamics of the tournament. It helped our team rethink our strategy after losing to the alliance of #1 seed 1124, 176 and ‘The Rookies” as we made our way back thru the loser’s bracket.

I want to thank our alliance partners Team 558 and Team 230 for their critical role in achieving a comeback victory!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Congrats to Team Alchemy on their performance. They are off to a great start and will be another great team from CT.

Thanks to team 228 for loaning us a main breaker, even though we broke that one too. We'll bring a replacement for you guys to the other comps.
Lesson learned: don't put your main breaker at the same height as other robot's ball intakes.

1071, you ran another great event this year. The double elimination was a welcomed change from the normal tournament. I'm sure 173 will be back again and again.

See you all at Bear Brawl!

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

Been very busy since Saturday so a belated congrats to all the teams that came and participated =)...

It wasn' one of my smoother events that I would have liked but eh... what can you do =P

Re: 2009 Where Is Wolcott Invitational
 

It would be nice to be on the same side just once! Our bot is still in great shape, so we will see you this fall!