COVID-19 INFORMATION
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Review the "Charging Forward" Plan before proceeding. Participation in Charger Robotics is strictly voluntary.
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Learn more about the Charging Forward Plan.
STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK. YOU WILL BE SCREENED.
MASK UP.
STAY 6 FEET APART.
WASH YOUR HANDS (AGAIN).
AVOID CONTACT.
DON'T SHARE ITEMS.
JOIN US TODAY
Members of Charger Robotics simultaneously belong to three different organizations and must fulfill the requirements of all three.
These requirements are outlined in detail below.
Requirements from the Hamilton School District
Requirements from Charger Robotics
Requirements from the FIRST organization
HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS
Charger Robotics is classified as a "Category 'A', Competitive, Non-Athletic Extra-Curricular Activity". Therefore, most of the procedures required for other competitive activities (e.g. sports and athletics) must be followed, with exception to those forms and procedures relating specifically to physical ability and athletic performance.
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Charger Robotics is NOT classified as a "Club" or "Special Interest Activity".
Complete the Emergency Card.
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Students will not be allowed to operate machinery, robots, or use power tools unless this sheet has been submitted to Advisors.
Sign the Co-Curricular Contract.
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Note that the WIAA Physical Form, the Concussion Verification Form, and the Froedtert Consent for Athletic Training Services are not required for Charger Robotics.
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Signed contracts should be turned in to the Advisors.
Pay the Activity Fee.
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This $75.00 user fee applies only to students at Hamilton High School (Grades 9 - 12).
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Fees can be paid online via infinite campus, or submitted via check with "Activity Fee - Robotics" written in the Memo Line.
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Any un-paid fees from the previous year must also be paid in order to participate.
CHARGER ROBOTICS REQUIREMENTS
There are two basic requirements to be a member of Charger Robotics: Help to achieve program goals, and communicate with us.
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Note that there may be additional requirements to participate in specific activities, events, or travel. Advisors will outline these requirements (including academics, attendance, travel fees, etc.) prior to these events.
Join our Email Group.
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Team Advisors will send out important information and announcements via email, as well as periodic status updates and requests.
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To join our Student Email Group
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Send a blank email to ChargerRobotics_Students+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com
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To join our Parent & Guardian Email Group
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Send a blank email to ChargerRobotics_Guardians+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com
Join our Remind101.
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Team Advisors will send reminders and time-critical texts via the Remind App. This is most helpful to receive updates during important events, demonstrations, or competitions.
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To join our Remind101
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Text "Robog" to 81010
or
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Click the Remind101 link.
Assist the Team.
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Parent(s) or guardian(s) must sign up to assist with at least one Saturday lunch, and are strongly encouraged to participate in additional Booster Club Supported meals, fundraisers, and events.
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Students are expected to volunteer and assist with set-up / tear-down activities for our key demonstrations & hosted events (e.g. Mini-Regional).
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All parents & guardians are automatically part of the Charger Robotics Booster Club. While no member fees are requested, attendance and participation in Booster Club activities is strongly encouraged!
FIRST REQUIREMENTS
The majority of activities undertaken by Charger Robotics align to a specific FIRST program.
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FIRST requires its participants to create a log-in on their website, and sign a few acknowledgment and consent forms.
Join the FTC/FRC team.
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Accept the invitation sent by FIRST on behalf of the Advisors.
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This must be done every year!
Sign the Consent & Release Form.
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From the my.firstinspires.org/Dashboard/, click the arrow in the upper right corner. There should be a notification near "acknowledgment forms".
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This must be done every year!
Acknowledge terms, conditions, and policies.
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Acknowledge Terms & Conditions, the Youth Protection Policy, FIRST's Code of Conduct, and FIRST's Privacy Policy from the my.firstinspires.org/Dashboard/, under your profile settings in the upper right corner.
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PROGRAM COST
Charger Robotics annual operating costs are approximately $100,000 (FRC + FTC), which works out to ~$2,000 per student. This is not what we're asking you to pay, it's just the amount of money it takes to provide your student with the typical Charger Robotics experience.
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WHAT YOU ACTUALLY PAY
Charger Robotics attempts to keep student and parent contributions to a minimum by using donations, corporate sponsorship, and fundraising income to help offset all team costs. However, external funding has been known to vary significantly year-to-year.
Some costs may be partially or fully borne by students and their families:
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HHS Activity Fee ($75 / high school student / activity)
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Team attire (shirts, generally $15)
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Travel, meals at local competitions/events (generally $50 / day)
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Travel, meals, and lodging at distant/overnight competitions/events (generally $130 / day)
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Attendance at competitions is strongly encouraged for all team members, and is mandatory for team leadership and students in critical competition roles (e.g. drivers, awards, scouting, pits, etc.). Charger Robotics will do our best to provide or align financial support if event attendance cost is too expensive for a team member in a critical competition role.
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Below are the anticipated travel fees for the 2020-21 season, assuming events feature physical in-person competition activities.
Note: Charger Robotics provides you with opportunities to avoid paying travel fees by selling Raffle Tickets!
FTC scrimmage / Qualifier
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Travel Fee:
$100
or sell
50 Tickets
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$100 per student ($100 per day), or sell 50 raffle tickets.
This helps cover the cost of transportation, parking, participation in a team social event, and other expenses related to ensuring the students have a positive experience at the competition.
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Approximately 30 to 36 of our students travel to this type of event.
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Note: This event may be virtual this year, which may significantly reduce cost
FTC state championship
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Travel Fee:
$100
or sell
50 Tickets
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$100 per student ($100 per day), or sell 50 raffle tickets.
This helps cover the cost of transportation, parking, participation in a team social event, and other expenses related to ensuring the students have a positive experience at the competition.
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Teams must earn their way to this event based on their performance.
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Note: This event may be virtual this year, which may significantly reduce cost
FRC Travel Regional
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Travel Fee:
<$400
or sell
<200 Tickets
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This helps cover the cost of transportation, parking, lodging, a pizza dinner, participation in a team social event, and other expenses related to ensuring the students have a positive experience at the competition.
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Approximately 32 to 40 of our students travel to this type of event.
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Note: The regional location, coach bus, hotel accommodations, and the number of students traveling have the most significant impact on travel fees.
For planning purposes, assume a maximum of $400 per student (~$100 per day), or sell 200 raffle tickets.
FRC LOCAL Regional
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Travel Fee:
$140
or sell
70 Tickets
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$140 per student (~$45 per day), or sell 70 raffle tickets.
This helps cover the cost of transportation, parking, participation in a team social event, and other expenses related to ensuring the students have a positive experience at the competition.
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Approximately 40 to 50 of our students travel to this event.
world championship
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Travel Fee:
$360
or sell
180 Tickets
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$360 per student (~$100 per day), or sell 180 raffle tickets.
This helps cover the cost of transportation, parking, lodging, a pizza dinner, participation in a team social event, and other expenses related to ensuring the students have a positive experience at the competition.
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Teams must earn their way to this event based on their performance.
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Typically 32 to 36 of our students travel to this event.
alternatives to travel fees
It's technically possible for a student to participate in all of the events above. This could result in over $1000 in travel fees.
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We strongly recommend that students and their families participate in the fundraising opportunities provided by Charger Robotics to avoid paying for travel fees!
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The average travel fees for Charger Robotics students during the 2019-20 season was approximately $260, since students were able to raise nearly $13,000 (combined) to cover their travel.
Every student has the opportunity to travel for as low as $0.00 by participating in team fundraisers.
Families have the option to reduce their travel fees by selling Raffle tickets. Travel fees will be reduced by $2.00 for every ticket sold by that individual student.
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Travel fees can be used and accumulated until that student exits the program. For families with multiple students in the program, ticket sales can be shared between immediate family members (i.e. siblings), provided there is continuity (i.e. 4 school years apart or less) and the family has spoken with Advisors beforehand.
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Profits generated from Raffle ticket sales will NOT be reimbursed to team members. Unused sales will help cover Charger Robotics expenses and further improve our program.
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Get other people to pay your travel fees by selling Raffle Tickets!
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Team meetings
Charger Robotics FTC and FRC teams operate out of Hamilton High School.
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Team meeting frequency and other logistics are have been impacted by COVID-19. View our "Charging Forward" plan or visit https://www.chargerrobotics.org/charging-forward for more information.