regional socials: likes & dislikes

Competition Regional Competitions
#5

Friday is something that you really have to be careful with, just because of when the regionals are scheduled. Fridays for Catholics are no-meat days. This problem came up in Wisconsin when within a half hour they ran out of all non-meat dinner options (and had to order more). As long as you take this into account, a Friday should work well.

A different location is fun because it’s a change of scenery. The problem is, especially if you have a lot of teams from out of the area, you need very good directions. Also, if it is a choice between charging extra for an off-location social, or a free on location, you have to go with free. Few will pay for the extra.

Why wait until the pits close? Typically, pits close at 8 pm (in my experience). There are few who are left in the pits near the end, starting before the pits close wouldn’t be a heartbreak. Just make sure that those who need to be in the pits until the end still have access to the food!

Free is pretty much the only way a social will work. Your social is fighting with a scouting session or a free swim in the pool back at the hotel. The committee needs to make every effort to make the event free.

Anything that you’ve got is great. Wisconsin did a pretty good job with letting us check out the exibits (mating monkeys go over well, btw) and had DSKB. Something like a dance, games, all of that would be fun. Play-station/Xbox tournaments, DDR, make sure that you get things that multiple people can participate in at once.

#6

  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?
    Our team loves team socials! Friday nights seem to work best (since everyone is scrambling to pass inspection Thursday, and many teams leave right after the regional or are completely dead on Saturday). Team socials let us do fun stuff with other teams, meet people, get a chance to eat together, and they’re just all around fun.

  2. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?
    The Arizona Regional has always hosted a social at the Arizona Science Center, so I’m kind of biased on this one, but I think it’s better somewhere else. The only advantage I see to the same venue is members who must stay to work in the pits late being able to attend the social easier. A different location relaxes you a little more (there’s no robots or field to be looking at and stressing you out), and I don’t see how most venues would have enough room for the social without moving the field.

  3. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?
    It’s been 6-9 PM here, and I think it works out good, not too late but gives you a good amount of time.

  4. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)
    Free food works, I wouldn’t mind paying a little to keep the quality of the food up, but any high costs would probably discourage us from eating.

  5. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.
    If you can get it at a venue that already has entertainment, you’re set (that’s why we love our social!). Music and dancing are good, maybe some games would be fun, mainly just give teams the chance to talk and visit though (that’s what alot of us end up doing anyways).

#7

  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?
    YES… I remember socials being the fun & one of the highlights of my HS FIRST career. Its great for the kids to have a chance to meet other team students in a more layed back atmosphere.

  2. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?
    NO NO NO NO. Everyone gets sick of being in the exact same place… even if its another building on the campus of the event, thats fine, just not the same room!

  3. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?
    Not sure the end time matters too much, by 10 or 11pm are curfews for most teams. But yes, dont start it before the pits close, that leaves out the pit crews.

  4. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)
    Buffet works best at these events, even if you have to pay for the ticket ahead of time. And of course as long as the food can be kept warm!

  5. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.
    I always liked the dancing when I was a student, but it looks like FIRST has abolished that. I think FLR’s shot at kareoke went over well with our team. Toronto’s Playdium was a great site as well (arcade style), might also think of laser tag or other things. LAN parties are fun, but I think a lot of the kids are burnt out at the end of the day, and things that keep them moving or laughing are the best :slight_smile:

#8

  1. Fridays seem to be what most teams want, so I guess that would be good. But for us, Friday is our big night where we get the team leaders together to do some scouting, go over some picks should we be in the top 8 the next day (or be bumped up in the rankings during alliance picking and have to select teams). I know that these meetings are usually when the social would be going on, so be sure to keep that in mind.

  2. I would say go for the cheapest option. Few people will want to pay a lot of extra money, if any money at all.

  3. If you hold it at the same arena where the event is, see how late you can stay, then allow some time before that to clean up after the social. If it’s at another place, again, see what time you have to be out of there and leave about an hour or so to clean up.

  4. Definitely try to go for free, or a very small fee.

  5. Personally (and unrealistically), I think a massive game of laser tag in the arena would be absolutely amazing. Of course, this would be nearly impossible to actually execute. But I would say go for stuff that everyone can do. If you have games like DDR (if that’s not included in the “no dancing” rule), make sure you have enough pads or other equipment so their won’t be huge crowds of people around two things.

#9
  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?

Personally, i love team socials, it gives you a chance to get to know other teams better. I know a bunch of teams that like them as well. i mean, whats better than meeting other FIRSTers? :smiley:

  1. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?
    I think that socials should be held not at the same venue. Having it at another venue just makes it seem more of a social event.

  2. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?
    i like socials to be on saturday nights. on Friday, people are usually anxious for the next day, and since Friday is a hectic afternoon, people like to rest.

  3. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)
    Two years ago, our venue was Universal Citywalk. I didnt mind having to buy my food.

  4. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.

Karaoke is always funny. LAN party games is a favorite, dancing not too much.

#10

Wow…you guys are really fantastic and have provided me with some HUGE quality answers about hosting a inter-team social at a regional event.

Here’s the trick question…

  1. If you could raise enough money so that you could pay for about $5 per person, what would you do:

option 1: pay for everyone’s food so that each person ate for free but didn’t provide any paid entertainment…everybody just runs around the place

option 2: discount the food a little bit (e.g. pizza costs $1 a slice instead fo $2) and provide a DJ and karioke

Option 3: everybody pays for their own food, and spend the money ($5 per head) on some entertainment, games, etc.

Maybe I should do a CD “survey” instead :slight_smile:

#11

I think that something like option 2 would be best. That way, you’ve got food AND entertainment. Though, you might want something other than just a DJ and Karaoke.

#12

I think option 2 would be best; I don’t like option 1 because even though I may want to talk with other people, I would like to have some entertainment to go with it, otherwise it might as well be sitting at a high school lunch table.

#13

MM. Team Socials are fun…but as long as there is stuff to do! Not to bash Vegas or anything, but last year almost everyone went just for the food…then left on account of the fact that there was nothing to do.

#14

  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?
    Friday is good, it is more laid back than Saturday, also many teams leave on Saturday night to come home

  2. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?
    No, it is nice to get out. After spending 12 hours a day in an arena it is very nice to get some fresh air.

  3. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?
    9 is to early, I think it should end at 10 and start half an hour after the pits close.

  4. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)
    Paid for with discount. Also, something vegitarian would be nice. I know FIRST has veggie burgers sometimes but they are disgusting. After eating one at a competition I will never eat another again.

  5. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.
    Games! I remember the relay races at Midwest a few years ago. They were the most fun I have ever had! Simple relays like scooter races or 3 legged races etc. A DJ would be nice too. Having DSATK at Midwest was fun. Who doesn’t like grown men playing re-vamped music for 100s of screaming FIRSTers? That was a nice end to the day.

#15
  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?

YES! I know for a fact that when 1547 went to the Finger Lakes Regional they had a social event and it was SO much fun. Socials are a way for teams to interact in a non-competition-environment sort of way. You can talk about anything and do anything while at competitions you have to stay on topic and focus on the robot. Socials are a great idea.

  1. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?

No because it would get too complicated with all the field equipment and such. In a place near the competition venue is ideal.

  1. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?

I would say ending more around 10 because some people get out of the pits pretty late and wouldn’t have enough time to socialize and such. On the contrary, competition is very tiring and teams might leave early in order to make sure everyone gets enough rest.

  1. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)

I would say something like pizza ordered in from Pizza Hut or 2-for-1 (is that in the US?). Teams could potentially pay for 2 slices per person or something?

  1. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.

At Finger Lakes they had many different activities happening at the same time and it was perfect because you and your friends could go off and do whatever activity they wanted to. This was 2 years ago and I think there were things like a band, a comedian, and karaoke. 2 years ago at GTR, teams went to Playdium which is like a big arcade. It was a small venue so crammed because of so many people but it was still fun.

#16
  1. Should a regional host a social event for the teams on Friday evening or not? Is it good for the teams, do teams want to have a social, etc?

Chesapeake has always improvised. There’ve been many collective informal “socials” where teams would do things around Annapolis together. My second year (and first year attending regionals), there were three improvised ones—a group went to Medeival Times at Arundel Mills, another went to the Annapolis Mall, while others went to other places. But there should be a social.

  1. Should the team social be held at the same venue as the actual matches or not?

Not really. The real “Nap-town” has so much to do beyond what Hollywood portrays it as (note: “Annapolis” was filmed in Philly). If there were a dance (which never seems to be)

  1. One thought is to host a social on Friday evening directly after the pits shut down and then end no later than 9pm…like it or not?

I like the Friday idea, but it has to be longer! We’ve got to do it late into the night yo! Multiple events until 1-2:00 AM! After all, the more social time the better the connection–at least that’s always how I felt about it. Who knows, you may go to college with them some day (as I found out now with a couple 007 members in my dorm). If it were Saturday, we could also do that, but I remember from a dinner that a number of teams started heading back like around 8:00 or 9:00 PM.

  1. What sort of food would you expect at a team social (free, paid-for, styles, etc?)

I’d prefer to pay for my food because the food they give you at regionals (box-lunches) sucks: especially when the cafe is right there.

But as for food choices: Burgers, Dogs of varieties (all-beef for meat 'dogs), Pizza, Maryland Crabs, Fajitas, and Nachos and you’ll have yourself a feast! (I had to three up BRES–we had an awesome crab feast three weeks ago.)

  1. What sort of entertainment would you like to see at a team social? Examples might be “human-player” games, arcade-style games, karaoke, dancing, LAN-party games, true “Disney-style” entertainment.

The LAN-party games (especially games in the form of Mario Kart and Mario Party and Super Smash Bros.), dancing, kareoke, arcade games, and even pool, air hockey, foosball, bowling, comedy and live music!

But to top that off: PRIZES!!! PRIZES of all sorts: gift certificates, iTunes gift cards, concert tix, computers, software packages (ProEngineer, Autodesk Inventor among others), speaker systems, T-shirts, shopping sprees, TVs, cars, and all sorts of other stuff donated by the sponsors and local businesses.

Remember: Everybody <3’s free T-shirts! If you don’t like 'em now, appreciate them when you get to college! You’ll get so many that you’ll form your wardrobe entirely from it. (I have an engineering friend who does that.)

#17

i loved the regional party for the VCU regional … karioke, DDR , live band guy , food , GIRLS ( sry i didnt know many girls were into robotics) , ohh it was at the science museam soo there was this like rotating stripper pole thing … ( its some science thing) , i just wish it was longer the party that is

#18

ok the stripper pole thing was some kinda momentum thing that spun with a person on it and the closer or farter away u were determined how fast you spun.

#19

I really liked VCU’s regional becuase of the interesting museum and the live singing.
However, Maybe I am the only one, but I would really like a saturday night social. I just think it would be more fun. Friday night I know that I am kinda stressed out so it isn’t as much fun for me, but still is fun nonetheless. Also, just leaving after awards to go home seems kinda depressing. Maybe that is just me

I do not think that the social should be held at the same venue as the regional. A change of scenory is always nice

A social ending at 9 wouldnt be as fun. I mean yes the socials are fun, going to a hotel to sleep right at 9 wouldnt be very fun.

For food, anything free is good. I really like what VCU had to offer these past couple years.

Entertainment…
I think Peachtree has it good at Jillians (think dave and busters, or a grown up version of chuck-e-cheese), however, you have to pay to play. However, it was in a mall, so if you had no money, you could check the mall out. I liked Purude becuase it was just a nice large gym and everyone had something to do it seemed.

#20

I’m so glad someone created this thread. I’m trying to figure out much of the same things.

I’m curious how FIRSTers would feel about the following idea: I have a friend that’s a pro comedian/magician (also a Waterloo Eng Alum). He’s really good at it and it’s a fun show to watch (get likes volunteers too). Do you think that would be a good thing to have with say an arcade, food… and possibly something else?

(this is all tossing around ideas as I don’t know my budget yet)

#21

You have to have dodgeball! It will be a huge hit.

#22

Because of the gamepieces, 2006 was a great season for dodgeball. I heard it was especially good at IRI – too bad I couldn’t stay.

Probably, this year’s gamepieces will enable another entertaining social activity. Maybe frisbees?

With softballs for gamepieces, the FVC crowd can just bring their mitts and start a game of catch (out beyond the parking lot, please).

#23

  1. Of the days, I think Friday is the best option. Teams have Thursday evening to shake down any robot issues, and my experience is that many teams do not stay over the night after the competition ends.

  2. The attraction of a social for me was as a pace-changer, so I’m all in favor of holding a social off-site, be it a team-run social in a rented out hotel’s hospitality room, or in a local Science Museum.

  3. My opinion is that 10:30-11:00 is a good time to close up the social.

  4. I’d expect a team-run social to have access to food (Burger King, Krispy Kreme, etc… down the street), but for a FIRST organized social, I think a free buffet is in order.

  5. Entertainment-wise, I think the main purpose of the social is to socialize; the secondary purpose is to eat food, and the tertiary purpose is to enjoy the activities. Entertainment is nice, but I’d rather the money be put toward the buffet.
    A LAN-party has been mentioned quite a bit in this thread (7 times) though, and while I’d prefer a DJ, I can see how a massive Halo 2 tournament could compete with that. Why not ask your regional event supervisors if they could set a room aside for a LAN party, and then have the party be BYOC (Bring your own computer)? If you had enough people interested, I don’t see why it would be an issue (except maybe for power requirements depending on the size of the party).

So what does it come down to? Quoting Greg Marra here, “fun is funner than no fun.” So no matter what, try to have fun.

#24

Thanks to everyone for their inputs on the “ideal” team social…This is why the CD forum works soooo well! Judy’s idea about the magician/comedian is EXACTLY the type of brainstorming we all need to do.

The Finger Lakes Regional committee is beginning to make plans for hosting an inter-team social event at the March 2007 FLR and getting input from all of you on CD has been invaluable in planning the social…Keep the ideas coming!

The RaChaCha Ruckus committee did host dodgeball at the intermission of the off-season event held a couple of weeks ago. It was hilarious and a lot of fun.

Even if your team social event is not held in the same venue as the playing field, or if the 2007 game somehow precludes using the field for “fun” events, then think about doing atheletic events such as volleyball and dodgeball at some nearby facility…

The 2007 Finger Lakes Regional is held on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, so there are lots of other buildings in which to host a team social…except the swimming pool (safety issues). See y’all there!