Announcing public practice field in Hampton Roads, VA

[Chadfrom308]

We need a field in Metro detroit somewhere! Our machine shop (in the back of one of our schools) is far too small to do any real practicing or testing!

[mwilbur]

Originally Posted by Chadfrom308

We need a field in Metro detroit somewhere! Our machine shop (in the back of one of our schools) is far too small to do any real practicing or testing!

Well, there you go. We have been suffering from the same problem. The only place in our school with a carpeted area sufficiently large to support driving a robot and setting up even rudimentary field elements is the floor of the auditorium. The auditorium is difficult for us to access on weekends and is not an ideal configuration by any stretch of the imagination. The VASC field set-up is much closer to the real deal for us. We hope that it will improve the driver training experience for our team and those others who can come use it. If we can inspire others to do something similar in their area, so much the better!

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Chadfrom308

We need a field in Metro detroit somewhere! Our machine shop (in the back of one of our schools) is far too small to do any real practicing or testing!

Get in contact with team parents but an even better resource can be sponsors and local real estate agents! Sponsors can typically have unused space or space they are willing to clean out at current or other facilities you may not even know about! Don't assume that the one building you see is their only property! Sponsors can also be very helpful in these subjects when it involves increasing a team's performance. It also helps build a stronger relationship between the team/sponsor. Our team's main sponsor was very helpful in working with their real estate agent to get our team a temporary practice space in the weeks leading up to IRI.

You'll never know whats around you until you start asking!

[wilsonmw04]

The schedule this fall is tight, but if we can get down there on a Saturday we will.

[ToddF]

We wanted to let everyone in our area know that the practice field at the VASC will be taken down shortly to make way for the spring traveling exhibit. It's unfortunate the field won't be available later in the season, but if you hurry, you may be able to use it while it's still up. I would expect it to be available for no longer than a week or so.

We are looking for a new home for the field, so if you know of anywhere (preferably on the peninsula) where we could set it up, please let us know.