TEAM 1923 NEEDS HELP!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by thelittlesister

If you have a van then you can check out the hotels outside of Atlanta, or near the airport.

Better yet, assuming that you can get by without a van: Stay near the airport in a hotel that has an airport shuttle. Hop on the shuttle, then hop on MARTA at the airport. When you're done at the venue for the day, reverse your steps.

It's less convenient, but it does get the job done. MARTA passes are pretty cheap, too--IIRC, it's about $15/person for a week-long pass, or something like that. Then you save because you're away from downtown (airport hotels tend to be cheaper), airport hotels tend to have a continental breakfast of some form, and you don't have to deal with gas costs to get to and from the venue every day. If you need to go somewhere that isn't in walking/MARTA range, you find one of the local teams and ask them if they can help you--if they can't, then they'll know who can.

[Dancin103]

Originally Posted by EricH

It's less convenient, but it does get the job done. MARTA passes are pretty cheap, too--IIRC, it's about $15/person for a week-long pass, or something like that.

I think it was $12 the last time unless prices went up. Besides riding the MARTA is an experience in itself.

[Waynep]

Thank you to all that have replied and offered suggestions.

Unfortunately, it's not just issues of cost and transportation, nor is it one for lack of effort and planning from the students and the mentors (It's been a whirlwind of activity since BOS). What the team has been weighing is what's in the best interest for the team, what % of the team would be able to travel and benefit from the experience, what % of the team would be able to attend if we went next year, chaperone/mentor availability, and working with the school for the necessary out of state overnight excursion approvals. The logistics have been challenging in such a short time frame.

We are very proud of the growth of our little garage team, the accomplishments of our students, becoming a more well rounded team both in the community and competitively, and rebuilding our affiliation with the West Windsor-Plainsboro District Schools. We will continue working with the school and FIRST to make the right decision regarding competing at Championship for the team.

Thank you again.

[timytamy]

This was a major problem for us (In Australia) so we got a LOT of sponsers. For us the students had to pay $1000 towards the airfare and team Phoenix (2342) put us up. The rest of the airfare was payed for by sponsors.

For Atlanta or spongers committed to funding the trip for a skeleton team in two days. This meant that we could go to Atlanta with no extra expense.

Thanks,
timytamy

[kstl99]

[quote=Waynep;949957] We will continue working with the school and FIRST to make the right decision regarding competing at Championship for the team. QUOTE]

We also had much scrambling to do after we won Boston. At a meeting 2 days after the win we met and brainstormed about who we could ask to sponser the trip. Mentors asked most local businesses, companies they worked for and other business contacts as well as local clubs such as the Rotarians. We were lucky and had some positive response which has helped defray much of the cost. Many of us would not have been able to pay $1000 apiece and we did not like the thought of only part of the team going when all have worked so hard for the oppurtunity.

I hope that our nieghbor in Boston is able to make it to Atlanta but I realise how hard it is. I notice that 1923 does not appear in any division and WayneP's last post looks concerning. Are you still attempting to make the trip?