Barriers to Entry: Why schools DON'T join FIRST

[gblake]

... every time I try to recruit an area high school the reception is very positive until I explain the money envolved; at that point they lose interest and state the cost is prohibitive. ...

Well then - Don't affiliate with a school!

Teams need one or more students and one or more adult mentors. School affiliation is not required. Just ask MOE or all the other teams that are not a part of a single school or school system.

I feel that far too many of the posts in this thread assume that affiliation with a school, and that school's faculty and facilities, is the one and only way an FRC team starts or survives. Well, an affiliation of that sort simply is not necessary (It usually helps, but it certainly isn't necessary; and lack of one should not be a show-stopper).

If a lack of school support, faculty support, or school facilities has been stopping you or your team from moving forward - I suggest taking a step back and re-assessing your situation - Maybe that particular type of support isn't really necessary after all, and the path forward is more clear than you realized....

Blake