Actually, they stopped serving alcohol in 2002. I had a number of discussions with FIRST about the fact that they encouraged college students to start teams but you (officially) had to be 21 years old to attend kickoff. The age was dropped to 18 the next year (although there were others who had some similiar discussions at other times).
Matt
The age rule is really a liability issue for Dean and FIRST and should be respected as such. That is why they don’t want anyone under 18. I believe the rule was phrased as high school students because it was seen as unfair to let those who happened to be 18 by the time of the kick-off senior year go and not the younger students.
I think it’s pretty disrespectful to Dean and the organization to just say I’m going because I want to even though I’m not old enough. He doesn’t have to allow everyone into his home and with the proliferation of the program over the last few years I’m surprised there has not been a limit placed on the number of people per team, let alone dropping/changing the way the event entirely.
Pete
Well, it’s official, I’m going to the Manchester Kick-Off, but the reason I raised the question is that I’m 18 AND in high school, and I remember there being a rule against high school kids awhile ago, but now it’s not on the website at all. I’d like to go to Dean’s house, I’m 18 and responsable, but I just wanted to know.
Thanks guys! 
Your best bet is to ask FIRST about it. None of the answers you get here are in any way official. I’m going to make a guess and say that they probably don’t intend for high school students to attend. I may be wrong. Your best option is to just ask.
Matt
Matt,
Haven’t you learned by now? 
Intent doesn’t mean ANYTHING to some people. :rolleyes:
Unless something is EXPLICITLY forbidden in the rules, some will exploit any loophole, to do whatever they want.
FIRST may have INTENDED that HS students not attend the founder’s reception. They may have INTENDED that their be a rule change to allow college mentors to fraternize with their peers at the party.
I never went to the founder’s reception as a HS student.
I look at it as a sign of respect. The party seems to be intended as a celebration for team MENTORS.
So… if you want to go to the Founder’s reception… ask yourself: “Am I allowed to drive the robot?” Because… if the answer is yes. You are probably NOT intended to go to the party at Deans.
John
Am I missing some hidden sarcasm, or are you saying I'm going to exploit FIRST for *my benefit*? John, I respect you, but come on, your tone is more than condescending to someone who has been a hard working member of my team for 4 years. I never said that I was going to sneak in to the party, nor that I wanted to exploit Dean's hospitality for myself, just that I *would*
Also John, if they didn't want high school students, why not just say that upfront on the website? I quote from the [kick-off website....](http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/kickoff.htm)
Founder's Reception A reception will be held on Friday, January 7, 2005 from 6–10PM, at the home of Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST.like to go and the rules seemed odd and unclear from previous year’s rules. I raised a genuine question that I had.
- Casual Attire
- Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages will be provided
- In Inclement weather shoe booties will be provided at the door
- Four tickets will be distributed to the main contact of your team.
- Attendees must be over 18 years of age.
Hopefully we can work this out.
[edit]
Sent an email and here’s what I got back…
Hi Joseph!
I am sorry, but the Founder’s Reception attendees have to be post high school status. We will be correcting the website to show clarify this policy that has been in effect for years. High School Students will not be admitted.
As to the Kickoff, students are welcome to attend.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Thelma
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Guess that puts that to rest!
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Blah blah blah… I really shouldn’t have to say this. I mean, really, this should be a non-issue here. After this post can we just get back to who is going to, or planning to attend the NH Kickoff?
Someone (well, probably more than just the one person I’m thinking of) wise once said that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission when dealing with FIRST. But if they still rule against you or say you can’t do something (like this hypothetical HS student attending the Manchester kickoff thing) you only have yourself to blame. This is why I find it much better to ask FIRST for their intent, and ask for clarification before you waste six weeks of your life working on something illegal or before you spend a few hundred dollars going to NH without being able to attend the kickoff, itself.
When in doubt, ask… don’t assume (unless you don’t mind wasting time/money).
Or even better…the annual Kickoff Blizzard/Storm/Weather Catastrophe! Many a year have I driven through terrible conditions to see the game revealing, and last year (from what I heard) was no exception.
So this year is looking sketchy… (from The Old Farmer’s Almanac)…
Better put the snow tires on…
I am attending the party, and the kickoff
hope to see everybody!!!
We have 3 seniors this year, 5 last year. 2 of the 3 are going to be at a black belt camp for our karate school, so only our programmer will be going this year… 
Snow tires… lol That’s funny…
And how long have you lived in New England Jess? Don’t you remember this year in **March **waiting outside the Meadows in the snow.
Multiply that by a few inches, and subtract a few degrees, and you’ll have the scenario for kickoff in NH.
(Speaking of total cold, I can’t wait till the Rochester Regional)
It’s been known to snow here on Commencement (that’s in late May)…
Matt
Ok so here it is FIRST has listened to us and has republished the Founder’s Reception Information.
Copied from 2005 FRC Manchester Kickoff Information
"Founder’s Reception
A reception will be held on Friday, January 7, 2005 from 6–10PM, at the home of Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST.
* Casual Attire
* Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages will be provided
* In Inclement weather shoe booties will be provided at the door
* Four tickets will be distributed to the main contact of your team.
* **Attendees must be of post highschool status. High school students will not be admitted.**"
So now its not you must be 18, its you must be of post highschool status.
Thanks Dez, I got an email back about that too (look at last post). So, who wants to hang out at the local mall Friday night?
My team is just staying at motorola or at “home” for the kickoff…we brainstorm and act things out and give out ideas. So i guess thats kinda liek going to kickoff lol
Upon further review… Ken Leung and I have decided not to attend the New Hampshire Kickoff. It’s way too expensive to fly out there, and we feel we’d be much more helpful back here in California (we’re trying to put together a January 7th workshop, and we’ll be helping to put on the remote kickoff in San Jose). Feel free to attend the NH kickoff anyway, though, Matt (or you could come out to San Jose, instead)
Have fun in New Hampshire, all who are attending!
Team 836 is sending three or four mentors to the live kickoff, the rest and i are going to the kick off in Laurel, MD
Capitol College,
Looks like I will be going again this year after my absence last year. It will be my 3rd time to attend and I cannot wait!!! 
Not going to the real kickoff… it’s way too far
BUT! I made people promise that I can go to the remote kickoff here at… I think it was USC? -shrugs- Something like that
looks as though i will defiantly be there with Matt …we just got our tickets yesterday…see you all there