[DonRotolo]

Well, explain the calendar of FIRST to them, so at least they know what to expect. Also explain that it is likely a 5 or 6-day-a week thing for six weeks.

Our team gets parents to provide dinner to the team, each night at 6 pm, so we can work until 9 or 9:30.

Lots of team members do their homework at meetings in small groups. With focus, it goes fast. They CAN build robots and keep up grades at the same time! Lots of parents will be worried about grades, trust me. Explain your plan to manage that (and if there isn't one. make one!).

Be sure to explain what FIRST is all about - GP and helping others so everyone gets better. And emphasize it's NOT battlebots!

Also explain how parents can help. Bring cases of water (we don't drink soda, it bad for you). If ANY parent has a little spare time, invite them to help the team - builders, mechanics, engineers and programmers are good, but even an accountant or tax lawyer or stay-at-home mom knows SOMEthing that will help the team, ask them to please come share what they know with the students. It's NOT about the robot!

I'll let others chime in now. I could write about this all night....