The Participant identified above (“Participant”) desires to participate (as a team member, coach, mentor, judge, or in some other manner) in the FIRST® Robotics Competition, FIRST® Tech Challenge, FIRST® LEGO® League, or another FIRST ® program (the “Programs”)Ǥ As a condition of allowing Participant to participate in a Program, VirginiaFIRST requires that the Participant (by his or her Parent/Guardian if under 18 years of age) agree to the terms of this Consent and Release Agreement.

1. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) understands that participation in the Program will expose Participant to risks of injury including, without limitation, injury from: building, lifting, and using electrical/mechanical robots and robot components; using tools; other participants; dancing; physical activities; illness from infectious disease or other cause; and other associated activities. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) understands that VirginiaFIRST does not select, employ, supervise or otherwise exercise authority or control over the coaches, mentors, and other participants in the Program. Participant, if 18 years of age or older, acknowledges and agrees that he/she is primarily responsible for his/her safety. The Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age acknowledges and agrees that the Parent/Guardian is primarily responsible for the Participant’s safety and that the Parent/Guardian will monitor, as appropriate considering the age of the Participant and other factors, the Participant’s participation in the Program. This assumption of risk and liability includes the Participant’s acknowledgement of the extremely contagious nature of COVID 19.
2. In consideration for VirginiaFIRST allowing the Participant to participate in a Program, Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age for and on behalf of the Participant and the Parent/Guardian) assumes all risk of such participation and hereby releases VirginiaFIRST and (except as expressly provided below) all of VirginiaFIRST’s directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents from any and all claims for any injury of any kind to the Participant (and the Parent/Guardian) or other damages that may occur as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Program, including without limitation any injuries or other damages that may be caused by the negligence of VirginiaFIRST or negligence of any of VirginiaFIRST’s directors, officers, employees, volunteers, or agents (including without limitation negligently failing to adequately investigate or screen coaches, mentors, volunteers, etc.), and agrees not to file any lawsuit or otherwise make any claim against VirginiaFIRST or any of VirginiaFIRST’s directors, officers, employees, volunteers, or agents for any such injury or other damages.  The Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) does not hereby release any claims against any individual person who intentionally causes injury to the Participant.
3. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) understands that photographs, videotapes, and other recordings will be made of participants in the Programs, including the Participant. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) consents to those photographs, videotapes, and other recordings and the use thereof (i) as part of a record of the Program and (ii) to promote FIRST and the Programs. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) has read this document and understands that this Consent and Release Agreement includes a waiver of the right to make injury claims that is intended tobe legally binding. Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) voluntarily agrees to assume all of the foregoing risks including, without limitation, any exposure to, or infection by, COVID 19, and agrees to release VirginiaFIRST, its officers, directors, employees, contractors and agents, from any and all liability, loss, damage, claim, or expense claimed by Participant or on Participant‘s behalf, arising out of or in any way related to Participant’s attendance at or participation in, any event or associated activities. Participant agrees to release, covenant not to sue, discharge, indemnify, defend and hold harmless VirginiaFIRST and its officers, directors, employees, contractors, and agents from any and all loss, damage, claim or expense arising out of or in any way relating to Participant’s attendance at any event and any of its associated activities.

To ensure the safety of Participant, other attendees, and VirginiaFIRST employees, volunteers, and contractors, all participants will be required to represent at the time of on-site check-in or prior to entry to any event that they (i) are not currently experiencing symptoms of COVID 19 (ii) that to the best of their knowledge they do not have COVID 19 and have not had COVID 19 within two (2) week period prior to the event, and

(iii) to the best of their knowledge, within the two (2) week period prior to the event, they have not been exposed to anyone who has COVID 19. Temperatures will be taken using an infrared no-touch thermometer; any temperature over 100.4 will be asked to leave. VirginiaFIRST reserves the right to bar entrance to any registrant who cannot or will not respond affirmatively to the questions above or who exhibits symptoms of COVID 19. In addition, Participant will be required to comply with all mandatory safety procedures while participating in any event and each of its associated activities. VirginiaFIRST reserves the right to require the immediate removal of any participant who refuses to comply with the mandatory safety procedures.

For FIRST Chesapeake volunteers, this also confirms that you have read and agree to comply with the Volunteer Policies and Procedures found at https://tinyurl.com/y3c3cqez

Participant (and the Parent/Guardian of a Participant under 18 years of age) agrees to these requirements by signing below.