Quote:
Originally Posted by Allison K
No fee to join, they pay with their time and dedication. Though not the reason for this policy, a convenient side effect is that nobody feels entitled to being a team member/traveling/etc. because they paid their dues.
They pay a $50 activity fee to the school, however it's one fee for as many activities as they want to do and doesn't get back to us directly. I think the activity fee goes to cover facilities expenses, and we have a dedicated shop in the school so I have no complaints about that policy.
Students are responsible for their own travel fees, however they have the opportunity to work as day camp counselors in the summer to offset costs. Subsidies are provided to those that need it, and we are fortunate that each of the past few years a couple families have volunteered to cover their own child as well as donate to cover another that needs it. The rest of the travel deficit comes from the general team fund or from a non-profit associated with the district that helps support student involvement expenses. By worlds last year about half the team was subsidized some amount, but that was three travel events in the span of seven weeks. We publish projected travel budgets at the start of the school year so families are forewarned six or more months ahead of event related expenses.
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My team hasn't had membership fees in the three years I have been on the team, and the only monetary demands are made if and when we are invited to worlds. Our business team has always been able to cover the costs for a season (Robot + Travel) by reaching out to sponsors. This will be the first year that we are registering and competing at two separate regional competitions, so our financial security might change. But, as per the norm, we don't charge our members a cent.