Thread: FTC Leagues
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Unread 29-06-2015, 15:28
Foster Foster is offline
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Re: FTC Leagues

Quote:
Originally Posted by gblake View Post
I'll throw Foster under the bus. He and other VRC folks have become expert at the sort of small event logistics you are asking about. Maybe send him a PM.
Ahh I love the smell of diesel in the morning.

Cafeterias are your friend! Build in works spaces with seating. Give each team a table and they are set. The tables roll so you can set the space up the way you want very quickly.

Haven't looked at this years FTC game, but historically VEX games have teams on two sides of the field. That leaves you room to put a few chairs on the other two sides. People can sit in the chairs and see, and people can stand behind the chairs and see. Now rather than 12' away they are 3' away and can see the action!!!

-- Logistics note: Open up with "no roboteers in the seats, they are for guests only. Depending on the game, if a game piece comes out, pick it up and PUT it back in where it came out. Don't interfere with the game or the referee" (Oh and full event producers will hate you later on when people want to get close to the field)

Make each team give you a helper. Make the team that just played do field reset.

Setup should take about an hour. Ask parents to help. The first time you setup mark the lines with tape, but at each seam cut the tape long and tuck the ends under. When you take the tiles up, the tape stays on the tiles. No need to retape. Don't take the perimeter completely apart. (PM me and I can explain how to do this) Don't take the game apart more than you need to for transport.

Not sure what to tell you on the cost. In the past we've had each team hold an event, they don't charge since they pick up the minor charge for their "home" and at the end of the season the cost works out. Get one of the home team parents to sell candy and bottled water if you need some funding.

Key Point -> Build the concept of "this is a community" You are not holding an event, the league community is holding an event. Everyone comes, everyone helps, everyone plays, everyone has a good time. Once you start charging for an event past the "Hey we need $15 per team to cover the cost of the custodial people" then people get a sense of entitlement. Get the people together that are supplying the venues and figure out the minimal costs and split them across the teams. You don't need all the fancy AV equipment, etc. that drives the cost up.

Remember, it's supposed to be fun. It's not that hard to do if you don't get carried away.
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Foster - VEX Delaware - 17 teams -- Chief Roboteer STEMRobotics.org
2010 - Mentor of the Year - VEX Clean Sweep World Championship
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