FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 21

Coaches Chat tonight- OSPI listening and brainstorming session

I just want to remind coaches about our FRC Coaches Chat tonight at 7:00 pm.  We will be focusing on brainstorming solutions to help make sure all teams can participate even with the loss of the OSPI funds in Washington.  All teams are welcome because  everyone can benefit from fundraising brainstorming whether you are impacted by the OSPI funding cuts or not!
Also, a reminder, if you have not filled out our Impact Survey related to the OSPI funding cuts, please do that ASAP.  It will help us to figure out how to deploy our resources and help us to be proactive with team support if we understand how this loss of funding affects your ability to participate.
Click here for the survey link if you did not fill it out last week.

FRC 2025 Season Retrospective Survey – Feedback Wanted

As we wrap up the 2025 FRC season, we are collecting feedback to better understand your team’s experience. This retrospective survey is an opportunity to let FIRSTWA know what went well, what challenges you faced, what support you need moving forward, and whether you’re interested in hosting events in future years. Please take a few minutes to fill it out by Friday June 6th. Thank you for being part of our community!
 

Important Dates

  • May 27th:  Coaches ChatOSPI listening and brainstorming session

FTC Blog: OSPI Update

2025 – 2026 OSPI FIRST Washington Grant Update

Action Requested:  After reading the note below, please take a moment to complete this very short [survey] by Friday, May 23 to help us understand the impact of the funding loss—and whether you may need support or be able to offer assistance to others.

 

Hello Teams,

 Thank you to everyone who reached out to your State Senators and Congress Members, advocating for continued OSPI funding in the new State Budget. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.

Unfortunately, the current budget being reviewed at the Governor’s office includes no OSPI funding for Teams this upcoming season- meaning that the $1.475 million dollars from OSPI distributed to FIRST Washington teams and events last year is not available for the upcoming season.

That’s the tough news- but definitely not the end of the story.

 

Leadership at FIRST Washington is committed to the following:

  • Maintaining the number of students/teams who engage and participate in the FIRST Washington community and the competitive events hosted during the season- last season this was 10,500 students
  • Maintaining the excellent customer experience levels for Students, Teams, Coaches, Mentors, and Volunteers
  • Identifying what can be done in the short term to replace the OSPI funding 

 

We are currently assessing all available assets and cost saving measures and have also developed a robust fund-raising strategy for our upcoming Fiscal Year and season.

 Ensuring Teams have the resources needed for another successful season will require an all-hands effort and partnership with the entire FIRST Community- Volunteers, Mentors, Coaches, Schools, Corporate Donors, Foundations, and Individual Donors.

 

Here are a few next steps:

  1. Let us know if the loss of OSPI funding may prevent your school from participating in FIRST programs next year thorough the survey link above.
  2. Start planning and budgeting now for the 2025–2026 season – explore creative fundraising opportunities over the summer and identify any alternative funding that may be available within your school district- if applicable.
  3. Begin brainstorming ways our community can support one another—sharing fundraising strategies, offering mentorship, or other collaborative efforts.

 

We are reaching out not only to public school teams, but also to our community-based teams. Your experiences with self-funding and community support may offer valuable insights for school-based teams facing these new challenges.

We’ll continue to communicate in the coming weeks as we look for ways to move forward together. We are incredibly grateful to be part of such a dedicated and resilient community.

 

Thank you for all you do,

 Adrienne Collins,

Director of Programs, FIRST Washington

FRC Blog: OSPI Update

2025 – 2026 OSPI FIRST Washington Grant Update

Action Requested:  After reading the note below, please take a moment to complete this very short [survey] by Friday, May 23 to help us understand the impact of the funding loss—and whether you may need support or be able to offer assistance to others.

 

Hello Teams,

Thank you to everyone who reached out to your State Senators and Congress Members, advocating for continued OSPI funding in the new State Budget. Your efforts are deeply appreciated.

Unfortunately, the current budget being reviewed at the Governor’s office includes no OSPI funding for Teams this upcoming season- meaning that the $1.475 million dollars from OSPI distributed to FIRST Washington teams and events last year is not available for the upcoming season.

That’s the tough news- but definitely not the end of the story.

Leadership at FIRST Washington is committed to the following:

  • Maintaining the number of students/teams who engage and participate in the FIRST Washington community and the competitive events hosted during the season- last season this was 10,500 students
  • Maintaining the excellent customer experience levels for Students, Teams, Coaches, Mentors, and Volunteers
  • Identifying what can be done in the short term to replace the OSPI funding 

 

We are currently assessing all available assets and cost saving measures and have also developed a robust fund-raising strategy for our upcoming Fiscal Year and season.

Our first immediate step is making an adjustment for the 2025/26 season that will help all teams in the Pacific Northwest.  We will be decoupling the District Championship (DCMP) registration fee from the overall season registration saving teams $1,200 on their season registration fees.  Here’s what that means for your team:

  • Season registration will be $11,800 per team, which includes the $300 increase from FIRST HQ.
  • Teams that qualify for the DCMP will receive a separate invoice for the $4,000 DCMP registration fee.
  • FIRST Washington will allocate some grant funding to assist teams who may struggle with additional DCMP cost.

Ensuring Teams have the resources needed for another successful season will require an all-hands effort and partnership with the entire FIRST Community- Volunteers, Mentors, Coaches, Schools, Corporate Donors, Foundations, and Individual Donors.

 

Here are a few next steps:

  1. Let us know if the loss of OSPI funding may prevent your school from participating in FIRST programs next year thorough the survey link above.
  2. Start planning and budgeting now for the 2025–2026 season – explore creative fundraising opportunities over the summer and identify any alternative funding that may be available within your school district- if applicable.
  3. Begin brainstorming ways our community can support one another—sharing fundraising strategies, offering mentorship, or other collaborative efforts.
  4. Attend the webinar on Tuesday, May 27 at 7:00 pm Click here to attend

We are reaching out not only to public school teams, but also to our community-based teams as well as teams in Oregon. Your experiences with self-funding and community support may offer valuable insights for school-based teams facing these new challenges.

We’ll continue to communicate in the coming weeks as we look for ways to move forward together. We are incredibly grateful to be part of such a dedicated and resilient community.

 

Thank you for all you do,

Adrienne Collins,

Director of Programs, FIRST Washington

Important Dates

  • May 27th: OSPI listening and brainstorming session

FRC Blog: Reefscape Volume 20

District Championship/Championship Event Briefing 3-18 at 7:00 pm

Our District Championship/Championship Event Briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar 18 at 7:00 pm

If you think you may qualify for District Championships, I recommend that you attend this meeting though it will be recorded an posted to our website so if you don’t attend and qualify, you will still be able to access the information. 

Register to Volunteer at DCMP

 

We are three weeks out and we’re looking forward to an exciting District Championship Event at Eastern Washington University in Cheney April 2 – 5.  

If you’re planning to volunteer at DCMP but ONLY if your team qualifies, we advise you apply for the role you want and include a note in your application stating your team number, and that your assignment is conditional of your team making it. That will help us get a better understanding of who plans to volunteer. 

If you have the ability to volunteer whether your team qualifies or not, we highly encourage you to do so! 

Not sure where to start? Follow the guide below!

Are you a…. Coach/mentor/parent?

  • Robot Inspector: A great role for anyone interested in learning more about how the robot works, and what regulations have to be met to pass inspection.
  • Judge: A great role to learn more about the judging process! If you’re someone who always thinks “gosh! Why didn’t my team win BLANK award?!” this is a great role for you! Judging allows you to connect with students and fellow volunteers, and teaches you just how many variables go into the judging process. This is still only a two-day time commitment, just like any FRC event (Friday AND Saturday) and you need to include your team affiliation before we can confirm your assignment. 

Are you a…. Student?

  • Field Reset: This role allows you to be field side and get a front row seat for matches!
  • Audio/Visual Attendant: Are you interested in photography, videography, and have an attention for detail? This role is for you!

Thanks for all your help this season!

Competition Photos

Many teams are asking where to find event photos.  Our volunteer photographers upload them to our flickr account. Please be patient, most of our volunteers have full time jobs so it does take a few days for the photos to get uploaded. 

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 19

Thank YOU Week 2 Coaches!

Thank you to our week 2 coaches for being prepared and bringing your roster to the event to turn in.   

Remember, you need to turn in your roster and paper consent forms for any student/mentor who hasn’t signed and electronic consent form at every single event you attend.  Lets keep it up for our week 3 & 4 events!  

If you are having issues getting your roster printed or need help, feel free to reach out to me and I will be happy to work with you (to the extent that I can) or connect you with folks at FIRST that can help you. 

Lets make sure our volunteers can focus on the important work of making a great event for your hard working students, and not spend their time trying to find a way to print your roster for you. 

Register to Volunteer at DCMP

 

We are three weeks out and we’re looking forward to an exciting District Championship Event at Eastern Washington University in Cheney April 2 – 5.  

If you’re planning to volunteer at DCMP but ONLY if your team qualifies, we advise you apply for the role you want and include a note in your application stating your team number, and that your assignment is conditional of your team making it. That will help us get a better understanding of who plans to volunteer. 

 

If you have the ability to volunteer whether your team qualifies or not, we highly encourage you to do so! 

Not sure where to start? Follow the guide below!

Are you a…. Coach/mentor/parent?

  • Robot Inspector: A great role for anyone interested in learning more about how the robot works, and what regulations have to be met to pass inspection.
  • Judge: A great role to learn more about the judging process! If you’re someone who always thinks “gosh! Why didn’t my team win BLANK award?!” this is a great role for you! Judging allows you to connect with students and fellow volunteers, and teaches you just how many variables go into the judging process. This is still only a two-day time commitment, just like any FRC event (Friday AND Saturday). 

Are you a…. Student?

  • Field Reset: This role allows you to be field side and get a front row seat for matches!
  • Audio/Visual Attendant: Are you interested in photography, videography, and have an attention for detail? This role is for you!

Thanks for all your help this season!

District Championship/Championship Event Briefing 3-18 at 7:00 pm

Our District Championship/Championship Event Briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, Mar 18 at 7:00 pm

If you think you may qualify for District Championships, I recommend that you attend this meeting though it will be recorded an posted to our website so if you don’t attend and qualify, you will still be able to access the information.