FRC FAQs
Event Selection FAQ
On the detailed events pages, there is a “Teams/Events Details” button that will show you a team list as well match schedule, rankings, etc. once the events starts.
Event FAQ
A hybrid event is part remote event (Judging) and part traditional (matches). Teams use the remote events manual for the judging process and the traditional events manual for match play. The number of teams at and event and the number of team members allowed per team will be based on local health numbers. Please refer to the COVID Matrix for the most up to date information. Minimal essential staff and volunteers will work the event. The schedule allows for time between cohorts for a deep cleaning using a non-toxic disinfectant fogger. For more information on safety procedures, click here. The awards ceremony will be held online on Tuesday evenings.
Alliance selection is based on the number of teams competing. For FRC 3 v 3. There will be semi finals and finals this season.
FRC Each team will play at least 10 matches depending on the number of teams in the event.
Just like traditional events, we will run the match schedule with the number of teams present.
In order to ensure mask compliance for all, no food or drink is allowed inside the venue. Food vendors and restaurants are located within walking distance of all the venues. Teams are welcome to eat outside.
Yes, this is one of the reasons we are providing wrist bands so that teams may leave and return. Please keep in mind, the match schedule is very tight and we will not wait for you to return if you miss your match time. Teams may only reenter the event during their event time. No spectators will be allowed.
We anticipate that teams will have 10-15 minutes between matches.
Due to COVID 19 concerns, we are asking mentors who are not part of the drive team to remain in their designated pit area during matches.
For FRC we are not planning to have a practice field. The exception is for District Championships where we will have a practice field
There is nothing preventing teams from talking electronically while in the pits but teams will also be able to communicate at the field, through the clear barrier while waiting for a match to start. Basically, there will be time between matches so there should be plenty of time to chat after setting up at the field.
On a space available basis, teams can sign up to play a third event.
Matches will be broadcast live on FIRST Chesapeake’s live Twitch Channel at https://www.twitch.tv/firstchesapeake After the event, a recording of the events can be found on FIRST Chesapeake’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/firstchesapeake
Event Cancelation policies FAQ
Due to possible health and safety restrictions, FIRST Chesapeake will not be allowing out-of-state teams to compete in the 2022 season. FIRST’s policy is to not refund any fees. See the firstinspires.org website for more information.
Based on CDC and local guidance at the specific venue’s location, FIRST Chesapeake will decide when to cancel the event. This only apples to that specific venue. Events at other venues will continue if local guidance at their location allows.
FIRST Chesapeake will notify all 1st and 2nd mentors via email as quickly as possible if an event is to be cancelled. Cancellations will also be posted on the event hotline 804.464.8945 and the FIRST Chesapeake website.
In the event of a postponement due to weather conditions, FIRST Chesapeake will make every effort to accommodate teams on the next available day at that location. Postponement and cancellation details will be on the event hotline 804.464.8945 and sent to all 1st and 2nd mentors via email by 5am the morning of the scheduled event.
Remote Judging FAQ
All judging will be done remotely on the opposite day as the robot matches. If you are competing on Saturday event you will judge opposite weekend day (Sunday).
Teams competing in the same weekend are considered for the same awards. Both days are competing for the same set of awards with the exception of performance awards that will be given each day.
We will do our best to put the judging time schedule on the event page under the Tean/Event details button on the Wednesday prior to the event.
We will attempt to make any adjustments based on religious beliefs, etc but please understand that we may not be able to honor all requests.
This year teams have the opportunity to submit additional details for the judging process.
A dropbox link will be provided to teams the week of the event. Please note, it may not be available until the week of the event. Teams can then download their documents using the link.
Please remember to start the filename with your team number.
Championship FAQ
We are planning Championship to be a traditional event but that can be re-evaluated based on CDC and local guidance as we get closer to the championship. We may have restrictions on headcount, etc based on current covid levels.
Health and Safety FAQ
- This season the Health Screening should be conducted at home prior to attending the event.
- Check-in will take place a Pit Admin. Electronically signed Consent and Release forms will be collected for each member of the team including any mentors or adults attending the event.
- The team will receive paper wristbands to wear signifying they have been screened
- A wristband is required for entry into the event
- Teams can only reenter the event during their scheduled competition times.
Do you have any of therese symptoms?
- Lack of smell or taste without congestion
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Elevated temperature/fever (oral>100.4 degrees F; axillary/temporal > 99.5 degrees F?
- Sore throat
- Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain
- Headache
- Chills, muscle pain, and/or fatigue
- Congestion or runny nose
Close contact/Potential Exposure
- Had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 (if fully vaccinated and asymptomatic, this does not apply.)
- Had a recent COVID-19 test and are awaiting results
Note: These questions along with more details on FIRST Chesapeake’s COVID policy can be found on the website.
The team will be asked to leave and be disqualified from the competition
If your team has to withdraw from the competition due to a known COVID 19 exposure, you can register for another event if there is space available. These situations will be handled on a case by case basis by the Director of Programs.
- Handmade cloth masks
- Surgical masks
- Fitted masks
- Gators
- Bandanas
- Masks with valves
If you test positive for COVID 19 within 5 days of attending an event please contact Ron Therrien, Director of Programs, at 443-996-7000 or rtherrien@firstchesapeake.org. While local health departments are tasked with contact tracing, it often takes days or weeks for all possible exposures to be notified. Since time is of the essence, FIRST Chesapeake will notify all event attendees of possible exposure using contact information from the Consent and Release forms. If requested, FIRST Chesapeake will provide contact information to the local health department. FIRST Chesapeake will never publicly identify any individual or team that self-reports a positive diagnosis.
Volunteer
The full list of roles can be found by going to the events page and selecting Volunteer from the menu and then selecting Volunteer Roles. Once on the Volunteer Roles page, you can see detailed descriptions of each role by clicking on the role name.
The Volunteer role table indicates which roles are in person based on the COVID level at the time of the event.
Yes, there are different roles for our hybrid events. Most of the roles will be remote roles that from your home. This year is a good opportunity to try something new! If, after reading all the roles you still have questions, please reach out to us at volunteer@firstchesapeake.org for help in finding the perfect role.
Discord is a free group chatting platform which was originally created for gaming but is now used by a much larger audience. Discord is divided into “servers”. A server can be public or private and has its own set of rules and groups. Discord has text, voice and video chat functionality and works on computers, tablets, and/or phones.
Go to www.discord.com and apply for a free account. You will need an invitation or a specific code to join the FIRST Chesapeake server because our server is private.
Each role will have slightly different training requirements. We are in the process of creating training documentation on using Zoom and Discord. Some roles will have a virtual meeting through Zoom prior to the event to go over procedures and answer questions.
No, we understand that volunteering from home may not be the best fit for every volunteer. We look forward to working with all of our volunteers in person once we can safely hold traditional events again.
The COVID decision matrix level (ie- Low, Moderate, Substantial, High) will be determined for each event one week prior to the event.
The level will be posted on the event page also one week prior to the event.