Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
I expressed some concern about the quality of an event run with a smaller budget last year with respect to the Kettering Rookie event, another pilot program in Michigan.
While I can't speak for communication through other channels, there has been remarkably little discussion here about that event. There appear to be few photos from the event in CD-Media and what discussion I've found seems to focus heavily on the benefit of the program to rookie teams and not at all on the quality of the experience when compared to that provided by other regional events.
As a pilot, the implication is that this structure may be implemented elsewhere in the future. Why, then, has there been little information about the organization of this pilot -- and the success of last year's pilot -- presented to FIRST volunteers in other parts of the country? Again, maybe that information is available through other channels, but this is the first that many have heard of this.
A lot about this is being kept close to the vest and that makes me uneasy.
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There has been a lot of talk with other states about the Kettering Rookie Event. I was 1 of the many wonderful volunteers who helped to host this event.
It was an amazing 2 days. I can tell you that right now Arizona is trying to host an all rookie event and Canada's Event Coordinator's came to help out at Kettering. They came to see if it was viable for Canada to host something such as this as well. Trust me they loved it! We hosted the event for $500.00 a team, had them sleep in the dorms at Kettering for $14.00 a night for 2 people ( each person spent $7.00 per night). You won't find a hotel that cheap!
Sure we didn't provide all the bells and whistles that you would normally get but it was an extremely high quaility event. I never heard 1 bad comment other than the breakdown of the field. In actuallity that helped teams, it allowed them more time to work on the bots.
I am pretty excited about this. I am pretty sure Kettering will host the event in my area. If not Kettering than possibly Grand Blanc High school.
The email and package that was sent out to the Michigan teams did state in it, that the Michigan Championship will cost $4,000.00 However I was told at 1 point a few months ago Michigan teams won't be forced into participating in this event this 1st year if they wish to opt out. I am not sure if that has changed or not.