This marks the team’s 4th win as Ohio State Champions in the past 5 seasons!
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.)
- Beak Squad partners with CHCA’s Entrepreneurship Certification Program! Contact Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org to learn more about how joining the Beak Squad Business & Branding sub team can fulfill your Internship requirement!
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:
- Mid/late March
- Multi-Day: Thursday through Saturday
- Student registration via Ultra Camp by required deadlines
1-2 Pre-Season Competitions – usually in September/October
*Cost:
- 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
- $375 for new members; $350 for returning members
- Team Dinners
- Provide (2) Team Dinners during Pre-Season (approx. 25 people/meal)
- Provide (3) Team Dinners during Competition Season (approx. 25 people/meal)
- 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
Head Coach:
Registration Steps:
ONLY New-to-Beak-Squad:
- Contact Sarah.Hendrix@chca-oh.org to attend 1-2 practices as a “Shadow”
- Required: Signed Liability Waiver to Shadow
- Post-Shadow, officially join Beak Squad following the process outlined below for ALL Team Members
Multi-Step Process for ALL Team Members
- 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.
- Read & Sign Beak Squad Student & Parent Handbooks
- 2024 – 2025 Student Registration with FIRST (+) Parent Connected
- Students: Complete during Pre-Season On-boarding @HQ
- Parents/Guardians: Complete at Parent Meeting with Coach
- 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:
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