Travel Expectations
An explanation of the steps required for students to be eligible to attend official competition events and represent Charger Robotics in the best light.
Forms & Fees
Students are invited to participate with the team if they are on the Competition team and have submitted all forms and fees on time.
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Due dates are communicated through the team Discord in the "Announcements" channel and will be repeated verbally at Opening and Closing meetings starting 15-30 days in advance.
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These deadlines are not set arbitrarily; Advisors require time to handle backend logistics and ensure compliance with School Board Policies.
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Forms & Fees can be submitted early at practices, or can be placed in a clearly labeled envelope and submitted by another team member, handed to Ms. Hinytz in room NA100, or submitted electronically to Advisors via Discord or Email.
Late forms and fees will not be accepted. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances that will impact your ability to make the deadline, speak with Advisors early so that there is sufficient time to find a solution.
Travel Fee
Most FRC events are $200 per student per trip, which helps cover the cost of lodging, transportation, and other event related expenses.
Expect to pay a higher amount for the World Championship and events with significant distance; typically $500 per student per trip.
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Students and mentors are expected to pay for their own lunch and dinner meals. Work with your student to establish a reasonable daily budget and ensure they have a method to pay vendors.
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Students and Parents agree to pay the fee listed, as well as any additional costs that the student incurs (including costs associated with an early return for violations of school rules or any other reason). Fees will not be reimbursed or refunded to families for students who find the trip unsatisfactory or are sent home early. Refunds may be proportionally distributed to participants if a trip is cancelled and the travel fees exceed the expenses incurred.
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PayPal is preferred, but Cash and Check are also accepted. Make Checks out to "Charger Robotics" with the student name and event name in the memo-line.
School Attendance
While team commitment is highly valued, students cannot be on the team and neglect their school performance.
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These policies are in alignment with the Co-Curricular Contract and are meant to enable students to address their priorities.
Before the Event
All students attending the competition are expected to be at school and attending classes during the school day before our departure. Students too ill or busy to attend school are also considered by Advisors to be too ill or busy to attend our events.
During the Event
All students attending the competition may be absent from school, depending on specific event timing and schedule.
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Students should make arrangements with their teachers to pick up work they will be missing. There will be time to complete homework while in transit to the event and at night when we return from the venue. Students can also arrange with Advisors to administer tests and quizzes with teacher approval.
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Other Charger Robotics members who are not attending the competition event are expected to continue attending classes as scheduled.
After the Event
All students are expected to be at school and attending class following our events.
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Note: Events now run through Sunday evening!
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Students that do not return to school following our events will not be allowed to participate at the next event, at the discretion of the Advisors.
Behavior Expectations
Students and mentors are representing Charger Robotics, Hamilton High School, our Corporate Sponsors and Community Partners, and often the broader communities of FIRST, the Village of Sussex, the State of Wisconsin, and the United States of America.
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The rules in the Charger Robotics Code of Conduct, Hamilton School District Student Handbook, and Hamilton High School District Board Policies apply for the duration of our trips and competition events.
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Judges, Referees, and other volunteers often eat at the same restaurants, walk the same streets, or stay at the same hotel as we do. Mind your conversations and actions, and always keep Core Values and Gracious Professionalism at top of mind.
Use common sense. Be respectful. Behave responsibly.
There are a lot of concurrent activities happening at competition events. Advisors and mentors have a lower tolerance for shenanigans and mischief during events than during practices.
Disciplinary Action
Advisors are empowered by the District to terminate a student's participation if the student violates Student Handbook or School Board Policies, poses a safety risk, etc. Students may also be subjected to further disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.
Transportation
Students and mentors travel together from Hamilton High School to the competition event and back.
Students must ride with the team to events (i.e. they can not arrive or be driven separately). If a parent plans to drive their students home from the competition instead of with the team, they must complete and turn in the school's Parent Release Form to the Advisors before the event. The release form is available in the front office of Hamilton High School.
Team transportation within the state of Wisconsin will be on Hamilton/Dairyland yellow busses.
Expectations
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Follow Bus Driver & Advisor Directions
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No smoking, vaping, or alcohol
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No illegal or sexual activity
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Avoid glass & breakable containers
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Avoid dairy products
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Remain seated when bus is in motion when reasonably possible
Roll Call
Advisors will conduct a student and mentor head count and roll call after each stop / boarding of the bus.
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Students are expected to clearly and professionally announce their - and ONLY their - presence when called.
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We do not want to leave a student or mentor behind or unattended.
Seating Arrangements
There are no specifically assigned seats on the bus.
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Students are expected to pair up and sit next to one another so that any unoccupied seats are together near the front. Unoccupied seats are used to transport totes, food, and larger team-owned-items that are unable to be kept under the bus or must be accessible during the trip.
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Advisors often require open seats to allow for conversations or to proctor tests or quizzes in transit.
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Advisors may assign seats if problems arise.
Entertainment
Some items are not allowed on the bus.
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DJ stage lighting & fog machines
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laser pointers
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loud music
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gas pressure vessels
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messy or distracting items
Trash
Anything brought on the bus must be taken with you.
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Students are expected to help keep the bus clean, assist with trash collection, and place their trash and recycling in the receptacles provided.