Tips for first time at champs?

[Citrus Dad]

Originally Posted by logank013

I can't help you much from a technical standpoint as I am a student, not a mentor. What I can tell you about is how things work a little bit. Last year was my first time at worlds. Everyone (spectators, mentors, students) had to register before the event (or at the door if forgot to register before?). We all got lanyards that we had to wear all weekend to prove we were suppose to be there. Secondly, there are seminars going all weekend. One of the first seminars of the week is led by Karthik (mentor of 1114 Simbotics), and it was great last year. Can't wait to go again this year. Scholarship row is huge. I never got to see it while everyone was there, but I heard about it and saw it after it closed. In the Edwards Jones Dome, there are 8 fields set up. 1 per division. There were 2 on each side of the dome and the middle was reserved for robot transport. Pits are a good walk from the fields. Leave with plenty of time. In the pits, there were 6 or so official FIRST fields set up for practice. Pits are smaller than what you are probably used to at normal events. Don't have extra people sitting around in the pits if possible. Just jams up traffic. The last thing I can think of is show up early for good seats and be prepared to fast walk (borderline run). Being at the doors early is key to getting good scouting seats. That's all I can think of for now and congrats on qualifying to worlds.

Good points, all. And plan to bring a lunch to eat outside. The food inside is expensive with limited menu choices.

And one last point--mix it up with other teams. Many you may not see again. You have a great opportunity to meet some great teams and learn a lot. Don't just seek out the teams in the pits; the mentors and students in the stands are often less busy and have more time to talk between matches.

Come look us up--we love meeting new teams.

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

Good points, all. And plan to bring a lunch to eat outside. The food inside is expensive with limited menu choices.

One can only have so many servings of chicken fingers and fries...

We packed coolers with sandwiches, cookies, etc. but we were not allowed to bring them into the stadium. Security stopped us every time, examined the coolers, and said no. So we would have lunch parties on the sidewalk just outside. This wouldn't be bothersome except that somehow, other teams were managing to bring in food just fine. I'd regularly walk past groups with pizzas, BBQ chickens, Chinese takeout, ... Maybe we were using the wrong entrances.

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

Come look us up--we love meeting new teams.

If my current team makes it to Worlds we will definitely encourage kids to go meet other teams!

[northstardon]

Originally Posted by GreyingJay

One can only have so many servings of chicken fingers and fries...

We packed coolers with sandwiches, cookies, etc. but we were not allowed to bring them into the stadium. Security stopped us every time, examined the coolers, and said no. So we would have lunch parties on the sidewalk just outside. This wouldn't be bothersome except that somehow, other teams were managing to bring in food just fine. I'd regularly walk past groups with pizzas, BBQ chickens, Chinese takeout, ... Maybe we were using the wrong entrances.

I had nothing but positive experiences with the security personnel working at last year's event.

My parents drove up from Arkansas to watch their granddaughter's team compete. Now my mom isn't very mobile, and would have had a really hard time walking from the main entrance to the Archimedes Division field location. She's also (bless her heart) too stubborn to use an electric cart. Fortunately, Archimedes was located right next to a stadium entrance that was reserved for volunteer use. So before my parents arrived, I explained the situation to a security person that was stationed at that entrance, and asked if they'd make an exception for my parents. She smiled, shared a personal story about her own slightly stubborn mama, then made certain that her colleagues knew to let my parents use that entrance each day. They also didn't blink when my parents brought in a small cooler with their lunch (concession stand food doesn't work well with health-related dietary restrictions).

On a related note, I was also able to get my parents their badges the day before they arrived, so that they didn't have to stand in line for 30 minutes (registration was an even farther walk than the main entrance). The gracious assistance meeting my mom's needs was a personal highlight of Champs, and was much appreciated.

[hardcopi]

Couple things. Make the kids buddy up. It is a great place to explore and see everything, but make sure all the kids have cell phones (and chargers, there are places to plug in if they absolutely need to) and they have the mentors phone numbers in there.

Then get some comfy shoes cause there is a lot of walking. Oh and Ibuprofen... lots of ibuprofen, probably the most fun getting a headache I have ever had.

[EOC]

Team 1208 has put together a guide to St. Louis for teams attending the championships.

[GreyingJay]

Originally Posted by northstardon

I had nothing but positive experiences with the security personnel working at last year's event.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I had no negative experiences with the personnel. Good on them for staying sane after herding thousands upon thousands of teenagers. They were enforcing the rules. It was made clear somewhere in my piles of documentation that outside food was not allowed.

It was just comical because, while I fully expected to see people sneak small bagged lunches and coolers in, there were definitely teams having full-on catered lunches in the hallways and on picnic tables in the courtyard, complete with piles of take-out boxes and foil roasting pans filled with food. I have no idea how they got all that in!

Maybe they let food in through the other building and not the dome entrance?

[KathieK]

The arch is closed until "late March" - hope it's open for CMPS because it is fun to visit. They sell out every day when we are there so purchase tickets in advance. The history museum located within the base is fantastic (and free) if you get the chance to go through it. This is a national park so security measures are in place and screening lines can be long. Plan for it so you don't miss your reservation time to go up. The "pods" that you ride in for a short time are small - some people may feel claustrophobic. The park that surrounds the arch is a nice place to get away and relax. http://www.gatewayarch.com/
If you have time, visit the Union Station. It's now a hotel but also the home to FLLJr and FTC Championships. During the evening the lobby has a wonderful projection show on the ceiling. There is a Hard Rock Cafe located adjacent to the hotel, near the metro stop. There are also shuttle buses running between venues daily.
If your mentors have time, visit the NEMO (Non-Engineering Mentor Organization) meeting on Friday between 10am and noon in America's Center, room 255. Great opportunity to network with other mentors and relax for a short time in a quiet space!
And if you are flying in, note that the airport is located some distance from downtown. You may need to arrange transportation or take the Metro to your hotel.
Have your team members track their walking mileage - you will be amused and amazed at how many miles you will put on during the event!

[Amy33Amy33]

Also, our team has a diabetic, two people with celiac, and one person who is allergic to tomatoes, meaning that concessions are potentially dangerous for them. At the regionals, we could simply explain this to security personnel and they would let these people bring their own food in, but I'm guessing it's not like that at World, so is there any sort of paperwork or pre-arranging that can be done?

[Redytedy]

Originally Posted by Amy33Amy33

Also, our team has a diabetic, two people with celiac, and one person who is allergic to tomatoes, meaning that concessions are potentially dangerous for them. At the regionals, we could simply explain this to security personnel and they would let these people bring their own food in, but I'm guessing it's not like that at World, so is there any sort of paperwork or pre-arranging that can be done?

I would also like to know this. I have an allergy that prohibits a lot of the concession food, but I'm unsure the security would believe me without the proper paperwork.

[anishde]

Does anyone know where I can find a list of seminars available at champs? I'm dashing in and out on Thursday/Friday for the Dean's List ceremonies, and I'd like to get in whatever i can in that time.

[rich2202]

Originally Posted by anishde

Does anyone know where I can find a list of seminars available at champs? I'm dashing in and out on Thursday/Friday for the Dean's List ceremonies, and I'd like to get in whatever i can in that time.

http://www.firstchampionship.org/welcome#block-block-53

[MisterJ]

Our first time was last year. Line to check in took FOREVER. Be prepared.

Make sure that students get out to see the Innovation Fair, and some of the St. Louis sights. Unless you are going to be falling in the top-15 of your field, having a huge scouting section will probably not be super-useful. Explore.

Family restrooms near the escalators and on the upper level are cleaner and private.

Planet Sub, 4 blocks from convention center, is the best place to eat lunch. Skip the arena food.

[Weinberger]

Originally Posted by Citrus Dad

And one last point--mix it up with other teams. Many you may not see again. You have a great opportunity to meet some great teams and learn a lot. Don't just seek out the teams in the pits; the mentors and students in the stands are often less busy and have more time to talk between matches.

This is one of the most valuable experiences CMP has to offer!
We met great teams/people at RoboProm; the Arch and one of my team's most favorite "outside trips" was the St. Louis city museum. http://www.citymuseum.org/

Tons of teams were there, kids could order food on their own and go play on their own time! Well worth the ticket price!

[ghesla]