FTC Link

FIRST Chesapeake's Monthly FTC News

Stay informed and connected!

☀️ Welcome to the FTC Link Newsletter! ☀️

Check out this month's highlights and reminders!

This month's newsletter at a glance:

• 2024-2025 Schedule
• Fee, Volunteer Information, and Communication info
• Geared Up Cohort 2 Info
• Outreach and Summer Opportunities

Volunteers, Fees, & Communication,

Oh My!

Fees

• 2024-2025 FIRST Chesapeake Fees $450
• This ensures 2 plays for the season.

Volunteers

• All teams are asked to send at least 1 volunteer to an event during the 2024-2025 season.
• All teams are asked to recruit local sponsors and businesses to send 1 judge to a competition.
• ***Judge Partnerships are available for businesses willing to donate 3-5 judges to an event. Send Shelly an email if you have a business in your local area that might be interested.

Communication

There are many ways to receive and learn key information within the FIRST Community.

• Slack Channel
• Team Blasts from FIRST
• FTC Link Monthly Newsletter (Around the 1st of each month)
• Chesapeake Connect Volunteer Newsletter (Around the 8th of each month)
• Office Hours
• Email
• Website

Area Volunteer Coordinators Needed

Know someone who might be a great person to help us recruit and retain volunteers at a more local level? Send them to the link below!

Sub District Areas Include:

Southwest VA, Central VA, Eastern VA, DMV, Western MD, and Central MD

Know Someone Interested in the Role?

Check out the roles and apply using the link below.

Last Call!

Geared Up: Cohort 2

Do you know a teacher or school interested in starting an FIRST FTC team?

This program trains new coaches on FIRST fundamentals, team structure, robot basics, and outreach virtually through 5 online sessions beginning in September. Additionally, we support the start of the team with a robot kit, control bundle, and help with registration.

Pass on this terrific opportunity and have them complete our online interest form or email me directly.

The deadline for signing up to be a part of our Cohort is June 15, so don't delay!

Schedule for 2024-2025

Into the Deep

This is the tentative schedule for next season to be used for planning purposes. This schedule is subject to change. A final schedule will be released as soon as it is available.

Season Assets Available

These handy resources can help you prepare for next season. Use your Spring and Summer to recruit new students, add new sponsors, and share what FIRST is all about to your community.

REMEMBER

Recruitment for volunteers is most effective at the local level. Start sharing our schedule now with those in your networks who can volunteer at our events. Use these assets to help in that effort.

There is a customizable recruitment poster available!

Outreach Opportunity

Dive into STEM Summer Camp in Richmond VA is looking for a few teams to come and demonstrate their robots and tell their attendees about FIRST robotics. This is a great opportunity for you to shine and share plus network at VCU with faculty and staff.

July 15 through July 19th Demo Dates for the week are flexible but likely on July 19th.

VCU College of Engineering

If you are interested, please send me an email and let me know!

Summer Opportunities

Summer FTC: Rising Tides

Is your team looking to train new members over the summer? Or do your more experienced members want to learn new skills without the stress of a competitive FTC season? Come join us for our mock FTC game: Rising Tides, presented by team 19458 Equilibrium.exe. We will be hosting a scrimmage for this custom 1v1 game at the end of the summer, and all are welcome to participate!

Game manual: https://tinyurl.com/rising-tides-manual

Sign up to attend: https://tinyurl.com/2024summergame

New River Robotics Summer Series: Panda Pals

All Programs are offered in the New River Valley in VA!

Not on Slack...It is time to fix that!

Join our Slack Community for better communication among teams! This is a great way to connect with other teams, mentors, and FIRST Chesapeake Staff.

Need to talk? Have a question?

Sign up and stop by for my office hours on Wednesdays between 4-6pm and Fridays from 11am-1pm.

NEW! Virtual Suggestion Box!

Do you have an idea or suggestion that might help us improve?

Share it here!

Thanks,

Shelly Stoddard

sstoddard@firstchesapeake.org