[FIRST_Parent]

Macdaddy549
I must respond to your post. And if you see, this is my first post. I will remain anonymous for very specific reasons, but reading your post made me question a lot in what you claim. I understand this has been a well hashed out topic, and also it really bears no merit to follow up on. But being a Father of a student that has taken FIRST Robotics with open arms and ran with it for seven years, I must respond with facts that I have witnessed first hand. Every year in January I watched my child take on the rules and regulations of the "new" game and input idea's, input physical help in the way of hours and hours of construction, design concept ideas and watch the creation of a new robot.

I have pictures of my child asleep underneath the robot being built after daily classes, then nights after eight to ten hours of construction. I have taken meals to team to ensure these kids got what they needed. There is no deep pocket here my friend, nor is there a "mentor" telling me what to cook for the team. If you can back up your involvements with building up a new design robot, then you know the absolute frenzy to get that robot ready for ship day. That is usually a very long day for the team. Everyone, team member, teachers and mentors are all working towards that one goal.

I have supported them in every way I am capable of, and witnessed many students grow out of a shy inverted student, into some pretty decent team players. Mentors have always played an important role in FIRST, but I haven't witnessed the accusations you claim.

Every year I give up my child to FIRST from January to April gladly. I know that he/she is in good hands, learning important life skills and passing the gracious professionalism onto the younger members of the team.

Ok Macdaddy549...... A lot of people up here have given you their opinions, now you have mine.


P.S. I only edited my bad typo's...the content and my intentions have not been altered.