I was wondering what other people do at regionals when there is some off time (what little there is). But one thing we always do is play hacky sack. Its become a tradition.
Off time, at a regional? What is that?
Like during lunch or time around there.
Eat. One team at L.A. had trackball bowling.
I would sit and relax my feet. Standing around gets really tiring.
I do one of two things… sleep or play hacky sack. And I will be doing so very much so in Atlanta for those who want to join the hacky sack.
Definitely sleep. But I also try to spend my off time talking to some new people, browsing the pits for new interesting mechanisms and enjoying a little fresh air. =)
Free time at a regional is unheard of to me.
What I would suggest, though, would be visiting other teams in the pits, meeting their team members, asking them questions about their robots, and have fun hanging out with these really cool and really smart people. Just make sure you don’t butt in during an emergency repair or something.
During the little free time available I usually try to get in a bite to eat, take pictures, or just relax. I noticed how the number of pictures I have from regionals significantly decreased from last year to this year; being in the pit/operator vs. not being in the pit. It’s also fun to check out other teams and robots.
Hacky Sack in Atlanta sounds pretty good. Don’t know of others, but I do a little freestyle so I love some hacky sack. This year I only went to one regional though with my team and I volunteered so I was not able to do much of anything else but work and eat. I definately would like to get some more pics of other robots though considering I have none. Trackball bowling sounds pretty wild lol
If our team members are caught playing a game like that (other than at lunch) at a regional, the vein on MR.D’s head gets very large and ugly.
Just say no!
Haha. Well I never play except during lunch and when we are getting ready to leave and are waiting around then. Our mentors would get angry at us too.
Whenever I do manage to get a few minutes free time at a regional (the very little time that might be) I try and find a quiet corner and just try and relax, clear my head of whatever might be going on at the moment. It really lets you recharge your batteries and be a lot more productive when you get back to the work.
Plus its usually a great time to just sit as high up in the stands where its not too loud and just enjoy watching a few matches.
MikeM.
And why do you think that might be?
Teachable Moment: Yes, we are here for fun, but there is so much to be done, don’t waste the time you have. Being part of a FIRST team also means that you don’t let others carry a load that you can carry instead.
Mentors give so much to the team, how do you think they feel when they see you doing something unproductive during build season or at a regional?
Save your unproductive activities for when it doesn’t matter. If you think it doesn’t matter at a Regional, you’re in the wrong sport, Sport.
Don
Sorry, but I feel pretty strongly about this.
.
After competition at Purdue while we waiting for our broken bus to get fixed the team had a great game of HS and Mr.D joined in!
Haha. Very nice. And replying to Don’s post, I understand completely what you are saying. The only time we ever play hacky sack would be during times of down time. Which there is hardly any at a regional. Otherwise, we have a lot to do.
- Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream @ Florida Regional lol.
- Sleep
- Skateboard
- Work out at hotel work out room
- Play guitar
- Youtube
- Play pranks
OK, Pranks (and singing) are OK - also stuff like waiting for the bus to get repaired (a bus full of FIRST kids and the bus doesn’t work? You gotta be kidding, can’t you guys fix it?) and after hours. Don’t want to come off harsh, but it really burns me when I get to spend 40 hours a week at work, then another 35 at Robots, only to see some kid with nothing better to do than play Motherload.
Why should I alienate my kids and family for six (no, 12 if you include 2 regionals & Championships) WEEKS to help some kids who aren’t related to me, and don’t even give enough of a $$$$ to do the work expected of them?
Thankfully for me, I went off on some of the team 2 years ago, and have not had to do that since. I explain my expectations the beginning of each season, and amazingly, these High School Kids actually grow up, accept responsibility and do it. Mostly. Enough, at least. Speaking with many other mentors, I find this to be the rare exception, most teams have a large group of kids who are a waste of time.
So: Think about this, kids, beneficiaries of your Mentors, next time there’s something serious to get done - are you helping or $crewing around? If the latter, quit the team, for everyone’s benefit.
Don
When not doing anything in the pits?!?!?! visit other teams, sleep in the pit (i dont know how but i can), dance, chill with other teams, think of ideas for my book.
I don’t think I’ve had downtime at a regional since my Freshman year. If I do have a minute or two where I’m not doing anything I’ll usually walk around the pits and gather ideas.