How to Join

Grade Levels:

9-12

Purpose:

Students compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) which boasts 4000+ teams worldwide. With a new challenge presented each January, the team has about 2 months to design, build, and program a 120lbs robot. Playing 3 v. 3 matches on a large field, FRC is dubbed “a varsity sport for the mind.” FRC provides students with hands-on, professional technological and business-minded experience.

Thanks to dedicated adult mentors with extensive professional career experience, Team Members learn and develop skills spanning multiple skill sets including:

  • Mechanical (hands-on manufacturing & robot assembly, includes CAD & 3D printing)
  • Controls (electrical engineering; programming for operator robot controls & autonomous routines)
  • Scouting & Strategy (“competitive intelligence” & liaison between CHCA robot drive team and competition alliance members)
  • Business & Branding (communications, public relations & community outreach, documentation & content creation, fundraising & accounting, project management, etc.)

Months:

PRE-SEASON: AUGUST - DECEMBER

Practices (begin 08/29 ** Must be registered on Ultra Camp to attend practices) Mon & Thurs from 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Team dinner provided) Saturdays 9:00a.m - 12:00 p.m.

Break from Mid-December – Early January for Semester Exams & Christmas

COMPETITION SEASON: JANUARY - APRIL

Jan - Feb: Intensive six-to-eight-week robot design and build period
March - Early April: Regional and Championship
April 16-19, 2025: World Championship held in Houston, TX for qualifying teams

Practices Mon, Tues, Wed, & Thurs from 4:30 p.m. – 9:30+ p.m.* (Team dinner provided) Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00+ p.m.* (Team “brunch” & dinner provided accordingly)

*Different roles & responsibilities require longer practices during Build & Competition Season.

Break from Early May – Mid-June for Final Exams

SUMMER OFF-SEASON: MAY - JULY

Practices Mon & Thurs from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
*Team Members encouraged to volunteer with CHCA Robotics/Tech Camps

Practice  Location:

Robotics HQ within 1 mile of campus

*CHCA provides bus transportation from MSL to HQ after school

Competition Information:

Two (2) Regional Competitions (often overnight travel and missing a few days of school)
  • Mid/late March
  • Multi-Day: Thursday through Saturday
  • Student registration via Ultra Camp by required deadlines
 
*April 16-19, 2025: World Championship held in Houston, TX for qualifying teams
 
1-2 Off-Season Competitions – usually in May & July
1-2 Pre-Season Competitions – usually in September/October

*Cost:

  1. CHCA Activity Fee:
    • $375 for new members; $350 for returning members
      • Includes: (3) 2024-2025 Competition Uniform T-Shirts; Transportation from MSL to Robotics HQ for after-school practices
  2. Team Dinners
    • Provide (2) Team Dinners during Pre-Season (approx. 25 people/meal)
    • Provide (3) Team Dinners during Competition Season (approx. 25 people/meal)
  3. Competition Travel Expenses (travel, hotel, meals)
    • Approx. $300/Off-Season & Pre-Season Competition
    • Approx. $500/Regional Competition
    • Approx. $1500 for World Championship Competition
      • Fundraising & sponsorship reduces Travel Costs for the whole tea

** Scholarships are available to ensure that finances are never a barrier for student participation in CHCA Robotics. Contact Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org for more information and to apply for a scholarship.

Anticipated # of Students:

30 students

Expected Parent Involvement:

  • Support Beak Squad with prayer
  • Regularly check updates via email, TeamSnap, & Slack
  • Volunteer at Beak Squad hosted events
  • Provide Team Meals as outlined in the ”COST” section of this document
  • Transportation when not provided by CHCA
  • Help make connections/build partnerships with potential Corporate Sponsors and Community Supporters

Competitions are FREE and open to the public to attend - Friends & Family are encouraged to come cheer for us!

 

Notes:

Check out the Beak Squad microsite (www.chca-oh.org/beaksquad) for more information and regular updates

Each year the team must raise about $40,000 to cover basic robot costs. Funds are raised through Corporate Sponsorships and Community Supporter donations. Want to help? Visit our sponsorship webpage or contact Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org

Registration Steps:

ONLY New-to-Beak-Squad:

  1. Contact Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org to attend 1-2 practices as a “Shadow”
  2. Required: Signed Liability Waiver to Shadow
  3. Post-Shadow, officially join Beak Squad following the process outlined below for ALL Team Members

Multi-Step Process for ALL Team Members

  1. Ultra Camp Registration
    • Must be completed PRIOR to attending any practices beginning Aug 29, 2024
    • Open Registration through Deadline: 12/01/2024 at 11:59 p.m.
  2. Read & Sign Beak Squad Student & Parent Handbooks
  3. 2024 – 2025 Student Registration with FIRST (+) Parent Connected
    • Students: Complete during Pre-Season On-boarding @HQ
    • Parents/Guardians: Complete at Parent Meeting with Coach
  4. Student AND Parent Connection to Communication Tools
    • Connect via Mobile App “TeamSnap” – invitation sent after UltraCamp completion
    • Connect via Mobile or Desktop App “Slack” – invitation sent after UltraCamp completion

Important Dates:

Parent/Guardian Meetings:
09/10/2024 – Pre-Season Parent Meeting

Important Dates:

Register in Ultracamp

9/05/2024 – Practices begin for 2024-2025 School Year

12/01/2024 –Ultra Camp closes at 11:59 p.m.

1/04/2025 – FRC KICKOFF 2025 Competition Season

Mid/Late March 2025 – Regional Competitions
April 16-19, 2025: World Championship held in Houston, TX for qualifying teams

May 2025 – End-Of-Year Banquet

Beak Squad in the News