[Doug G]

I think that is a big reason why there is FTC (Vex). You can do some really cool robotics stuff within that competition for under $1000. There is no reason why you can't expect most high schools to participate in either FTC or FRC.

A couple of years ago, back around 04-05, I would have said that our team could not get much past the $10,000 budget mark. Now we operate with at least twice that. But I know that is not the situation on many of teams and hence would be greatly affected by a fee increase.

FRC being Elitist? I don't think that is the best choice of words. How about PREMIER. A local team near us (and successful too), dropped out of FIRST after the 2005 season to pursue the MATE competition (I think the won it too). While an amazing competition in its own right, I heard that it doesn't provide the "SHOW" that FIRST does. (Easy for me to say, I've never been to a MATE competition - again just what I heard from one person).

I've had many conversations with folks about where does all this registration money go. I know it seems like FIRST shouldn't cost so much, but it does. Check their annual statement. Sit in on a Regional Planning Committee Meeting. Maybe someday, there'll be a sensible way (media coverage, branding, etc..) to still have FIRST without so much cost to the teams, but for now this is how it is.