[prettycolors91]

I was an FLL kid and now I'm mentoring my old team. This past year, i also volunteered at the regional and state competitions. As an FLLer I remember wishing they would get things under control and stay on schedule (things seemed to always run an hour behind) but then I finally helped out with the thing...and I understand why. Here's some tips
1. FRC demonstrations are great. Keeps 'em entertained if they're on a break
2. Put signs EVERYWHERE! pointing to the bathrooms, competition areas, research presentation areas, etc. Have everything labelled to the point where it gets redundant; it makes things SO much easier
3. The night before, make sure to have a volunteer meeting to make sure everybody knows what they'll be doing the next day. Leave NO details to chance, because something will probably go wrong if you do.
4. The more space for pits, the better. I know there's not always a big area set aside for this, but if its too small it makes it hard for judges to get around and causes mass chaos, and also doesn't help the staying on time issue.
5. Make sure that in the pits, who goes where is also obvious. numbers on a slightly elevated sign (so it doesnt get lost in the clutter) with big bold prints make things easier for the teams.
6. Try to have all of the volunteers in brightly colored, matching shirts with name tags, so that the kids and mentors know who to ask for help.
7. Make checklists
8. Get good music to play. Listening to "Eye of the Tiger" fifty times was not a pleasant experience.
9. Have fun with it! When everybody is happy and excited, it gets the kids pumped at it makes for a better day all around.