[Liz Smith]

People have said this already, and I agree that free exchanging of ideas should always be encouraged... especially when it results in the teaching and inspiration of others. I don't think teams should feel guilty about borrowing a good idea. I don't think feeling bad, (or even being a 'sore loser') about team B 'stealing' your team's great ideas for robot camps, or whatever will do anyone any good. I think worse than doing things just to win a CA, is to outwardly feel or say you were ripped off while another team wins it.

A good idea implemented well is still a good idea, no matter who came up with it first. If it means more kids are learning about their potential, or more charities getting donations... great! I think problems occur when teams try to take on more than they can handle. For example, a team with 60+ members may have an easy time finding volunteers to run and staff a summer robotics camp, but a team with 10 regular members probably won't. The 10 member team may try to do the camp anyway because it will "look great on Chairmans", but it ends up being a bust. That's when the programs end up being forced and not so great.