FAHA: Who travels free?

[Mark McLeod]

Four travel funding sources: school, booster club, sponsor, families.

Our school advisor's travel expenses to competitions are paid for by our booster club fundraising. With one exception--because I'm also a parent I like to pay my own way, however, since I stay in the advisors room that's already covered.

One or two engineering mentors from our primary sponsor travel on company funds. This year there will only be one. The booster club will probably pickup the expenses for an engineer who left the company, but is still a fanatic and works with us.

Parents are our chaparones, several are school district employees, and they are responsible for their own travel expenses. The booster club does cover group dinners for everyone.

The booster club reduces the student travel costs as much as fundraising allows after competition fees, t-shirts, give-aways. The balance is the responsibility of the families. Students in need are covered partially or in full by the booster club as necessary.

Our local regional buses are paid for by the school district, as well as buses to the airport for any flights. A coach bus is paid for by the booster club and individual families.