As many of you know (and many of you perhaps do not), FIRST registration begins in three weeks and one day (September 17). This means that in 22 days, we should know exactly where all the regionals will be. FIRST suggested at the team forum that Seattle, Cleveland, and Toronto were the most likely to appear on the 2002 Regional list, but they mentioned there were a few other possibilities in the works too.
Florida
New England (Connecticut)
Long Island
Virginia
West Michigan
Southern California
New Jersey
Texas
New York City
Philadelphia
Midwest (Illinois)
Silicon Valley
Great Lakes (Michigan)
Toronto
Seattle
Cleveland
So, do people think that this is the list? Is there another one in the works that FIRST didn’t mention? Are there any inside sources out there that know that one is not happening?
Given what was said about Toronto and the fact that there aren’t that many teams in the area, I doubt we’ll see a regional there. It’s a good idea but there just isn’t the team support unfortunately.
*Originally posted by Matt Leese *
**Given what was said about Toronto and the fact that there aren’t that many teams in the area, I doubt we’ll see a regional there. It’s a good idea but there just isn’t the team support unfortunately. **
actually, our team is planning on going to the toronto regional. it’s only about a 9 hour drive from Indy(according to mapquest). we’re really hoping that there well be a regional there.
actually, our team is planning on going to the toronto regional. it’s only about a 9 hour drive from Indy(according to mapquest). we’re really hoping that there well be a regional there. **
We are intrigued also… maybe we can bus-pool, or caravan. Just pick us up at the TechnoKat shop and we’ll jump in the back of one of those Perry Meridian buses.
When FIRST talked about the Toronto Regional during the FIRST Forum, they seemed pretty sure that it would happen. They also warned that getting a team and equipment across the border would not be trivial. We would definitely need all the appropriate paperwork (birth certificates, soc. security cards, export licenses, etc.) for the people, tools, and robot.
The co-ordinator of our team (Woburn Robotics) has been trying very hard over the last few months to organize a FIRST Canadian Regional in Toronto. Unfortunately, I don’t know whether we will have a Canadian Regional or not since I haven’t spoken to him in a while because of the summer holidays. But, I’m VERY anxious to find out. In this post I want to address some of the issues that were brought up about a possible Canadian Regional
Although there were only 3 Canadian Teams in FIRST last year, be prepared for a lot more Canadian teams really soon. The last time I checked, there were more than ten schools in the Greater Toronto Region alone that were interested in participating in First. Therefore the number of Canadian teams required should not be a problem.
Do not worry too much about crossing the border. If going from the US to Canada is as easy as going from Canada to the US (which I presume it is,) All that you will probably need is your birth certificate or your passport. As for equipment, that should not be too difficult either as long as your team completes any paperwork required ahead of time.
Currently, there is a Canadian Regional Website that is oh so close to being up and running. As soon as I get confirmation that the regional will run (which I’m really hoping for), I will put the site up.
Hope this helps clarify stuff. Post a reply or email me at [email protected] if you have any questions/comments.
*Originally posted by Anthony X. *
**2) Do not worry too much about crossing the border. If going from the US to Canada is as easy as going from Canada to the US (which I presume it is,) All that you will probably need is your birth certificate or your passport. As for equipment, that should not be too difficult either as long as your team completes any paperwork required ahead of time.
**
The understanding I got from the team forum was that while they were looking at the possibilty of a Canada regional, bringing the machines and everything else was going to be more of an issue than getting the students across. Something about having to leave all your batteries in Canada when going to events and buying new ones? I dunno…
You pull up. They ask you “Do you have anything to declare” You say “no” they say “ok move on”. Yaknow why? Because there are 200 cars behind you waiting to cross.
We are intrigued also… maybe we can bus-pool, or caravan. Just pick us up at the TechnoKat shop and we’ll jump in the back of one of those Perry Meridian buses.
When FIRST talked about the Toronto Regional during the FIRST Forum, they seemed pretty sure that it would happen. They also warned that getting a team and equipment across the border would not be trivial. We would definitely need all the appropriate paperwork (birth certificates, soc. security cards, export licenses, etc.) for the people, tools, and robot.
Andy B. **
According to David Brown (FIRST Executive Director) at the Team Forum, about the Toronto regional, he said “I’ll believe it when I see it.” That’s not exactly pretty sure about it.
As far as going to Canada with a robotics team goes, I would suggest getting in touch with team 378 Delphi & Newfane as they travel from the Buffalo, NY area to the Great Lakes Regional via Canada. They should know a bit about the logistics of customs with all the various things.
We’ll consider going to the Toronto regional given it’s only about a 3 hour drive for us but I don’t think the money will be there.
Matt
We are intrigued also… maybe we can bus-pool, or caravan. Just pick us up at the TechnoKat shop and we’ll jump in the back of one of those Perry Meridian buses.
When FIRST talked about the Toronto Regional during the FIRST Forum, they seemed pretty sure that it would happen. They also warned that getting a team and equipment across the border would not be trivial. We would definitely need all the appropriate paperwork (birth certificates, soc. security cards, export licenses, etc.) for the people, tools, and robot.
Andy B. **
that’s a pretty good idea andy, only if you are willing to pay for all the gas pay for everyone’s grub on the way there because we are poor. you may also have to give us a few more of the T-Kats secrets. if i can’t get them from you, i’m sure i can get them from Clark. sound like a fair trade?
It shouldn’t be too difficult. I went with the band to Toronto freshman year, and we didn’t have any trouble crossing the border, even with all those instruments.
Oh, and for those who haven’t been, Niagra Falls makes a nice stop on a little tour (only about an hour away, and on the way for anyone comming up through Buffalo). And, Wonderland (Canada’s Disney) is right outside Toronto. Oh, and they have a big, gigantic, enormous, and HUGE mall there. Plus the exchange rate is nice. In Canada, our dollar is worth $1.40.
