[Evenstar_342]

Having worked with a homeschooled FLL team for the past five years, we've faced many of the same challenges. The technical college we're partnered with runs LEGO robotics summer camps so we've been able to get interested students from the participants and we also publicize the team's need for students through out the homeschool community. We always get lots of reponses and try to favor those with past experience in robotics or strong interest in math and science. We keep the team half female and half male. We find that at a young age, the girls are more focused and become our best table runners, but that the boys are very good at focusing at the detailed oriented, small building challenges. Its always also great to have both girls and boys working together (with homeschoolers it also brings the added benefits of teaching teamworking, since many homeschoolers never get an opportunity to work on a long-term project in a group).

I know some people might not like me saying this, but Wal*Mart has been great to us. We've always gotten a lot of money from community grants their schools give out. We sent out a general letter with a budget plan and pictures of kids (of all races, ethnicities, and economic strata) and explain the positive effects of FLL and FIRST on students. We've also gotten money from Publix (a local supermarket chain) and a local software company. It is crucial to have non profit status for the team, either by itself or through a sponsor such as a school district.

Having a demo of FLL robots may help attract interest. Don't start training too early before the season, we started three months early one year and burned everyone out. We start normally in late August. I think its great that you are trying to start a new team. I hope you have as much fun/grey hair/inspiration as we've had. The season is a great time. Hope this helps!