[EricH]

You know... there are a number of things that the entry fee can be used for. And, believe it or not, not very much makes it to the regional level, at least in the past it hasn't.

First, registration and the KOP. That's an expensive two boxes of parts, and not all of it can be donated. Some of it is reduced cost, some full price. Plus shipping. (Anybody who wants to come up with an off-the-shelf price for the KOP, go for it.)

Second, fields. The fields and their road cases take abuse during the season. This has to be repaired, and then the field components have to be put in for the next year. Oh, and field shipping/storage.

Third, R&D. Gotta mock up game elements somehow. Ditto for testing KOP technologies.

Fourth, overhead. This would be rent and utilities at HQ

Fifth, Salaries and Travel. FIRST does have paid staff, and at least in the past they've paid for key volunteers' travel on FIRST business.

But before I go any further, might I interest you in looking at the most recent Annual Report and Financials, located at http://www.usfirst.org/aboutus/annua...nd-financials? That would be a good way to find out where registration fees end up going.