FLL UNEARTHED Blog: Volume 6

by Jacque Grimm | Sep 30, 2025 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore, Newsletter

In this weeks Blog-

Registration info!

Invoices

Event Info

Coaches Chat Recording

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Season Info

Registration Info!- closes end of September!

Reminder- Registration in Washington is a 2 step process!

1. Register your team with FIRST Inspires (Team registration fee, Challenge set, Robot- if needed)

Right now we only have 522 as of 9/24 Challenge teams registered and paid with FIRST Inspires.

2. Register your team with FIRST Washington (Event participation fee- $350)

Right now we only have 389 Challenge teams registered with FIRST Washington.

Only 351 Challenge teams have completed both registrations! That means only 351 teams are ready to attend an event this season! Last season we had 482 that participated!

Both of these registrations are required to participate in Washington for both Explore and Challenge. Please register asap!

Registration and information-

Challenge– https://firstwa.org/challenge-registration/

Explore– https://firstwa.org/explore-registration/

Are you registered?

If you have recently registered with FIRST Inspires (after 9/24) this will not reflect that. FIRST Inspires report we use to verify registration has been down since 9/24. They hope to have it fixed soon!

FLL Challenge?

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Click Here to Check!

FLL Explore?

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Click Here to Check!

Invoices

Invoices for the FIRST Washington FLL Challenge ($350) and FLL Explore ($50) fees go out in early October. They will be emailed out to the person you listed on your FIRST Washington registration under “person who should receive FIRST Washington invoice”

Thanks for your patience!

Event Info

FLL Challenge-

Overview-

Teams are assigned events based on location.
Once a team has paid their FIRST Washington fee and they have been assigned an event, if they would like to change events there will be an opt out form to fill out to request another event.
Teams will then be placed on a waitlist and moved into that event after all teams have been placed or after a certain date, whichever comes first, if there is still space.
If there is not space in the event they chose, they may move back into their original event, space permitting, or be assigned to an event with available space.

Challenge Registration- Details- Make sure you read!

Teams will no longer be filling out a registration survey- YAY
Teams will still need to be paid to see their placement- invoices will go out soon to those that filled out the FIRST Washington registration. If you did not fill it out, you will not receive an invoice and will not be placed or able to participate until you do.
Teams will be assigned a home venue/event that is within 50 miles
The 50 miles is point to point distance, not driving distance
This is based on Venue Zipcode and Team Zipcode
Teams have the ability to opt out of their home event using the opt out form and go on a waitlist. Teams may only ask to opt out by filling out the form- no email communication will be accepted.
Waitlist teams are not guaranteed a spot in the event they choose, or a spot in the event they opted out of.
Waitlist teams are placed on a first come first served basis in the event they choose if there is available space, and will be notified after the placement window closes if there is space in the event they chose.
If there is not space- they can move back to their home event, space permitting, or move into an event with available space, but there is no guarantee an event with available space will be within 50 miles
Teams requesting to change the day of the week only and not the venue they are competing at will have a seperate form to fill out. Make sure you pay attention to which form you need!

FLL Explore-

Overview-

Teams fill out an event registration form
You can choose 2 event preferences from a list. Please make sure both locations and dates work for you!
Once teams have-
- Registered with FIRST
- Registered with FIRST Washington
- Paid the FIRST Washington invoice ($50)
- Filled out the event registration
Teams will be placed in one of their 2 event preferences.
Events are in December and March, teams may choose 1.

Event Venues

I am still in the process of getting all the event venues secured. As soon as I have a schedule I will get it out to you all!

FLL Coaches Chat

To view the recording and slides from last weeks coaches chat click here

Important Dates & Deadlines

Open Now – FIRST Washington Registration
Early October – Invoices go out
December 6/7 – First weekend of Qualifiers
December 13/14 – Second weekend of Qualifiers
January 24/25 – Semifinals
February 1st – Western WA State

In this weeks Blog-

Coaches Chat

Invoices

Registration info!

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Season Info

FLL Coaches Chat

Our first FLL Coaches Chat of the season is tonight at 7pm!

Hope to see you all there!

We will be focusing primarily on FLL Challenge, but will have some Explore info as well!

To view the recording and slides from the coaches chat click here

Registration Info!- closes end of September!

Reminder- Registration in Washington is a 2 step process!

1. Register your team with FIRST Inspires (Team registration fee, Challenge set, Robot- if needed)

Right now we only have 506 Challenge teams registered and paid with FIRST Inspires.

2. Register your team with FIRST Washington (Event participation fee- $350)

Right now we only have 278 Challenge teams registered with FIRST Washington.

Only 256 Challenge teams have completed both registrations! That means only 256 teams are ready to attend an event this season!

Both of these registrations are required to participate in Washington for both Explore and Challenge. Please register asap!

Registration and information-

Challenge– https://firstwa.org/challenge-registration/

Explore– https://firstwa.org/explore-registration/

If you are interested in a FIRST Washington grant- this grant closes September 26th. Make sure you fill out the FIRST Washington registration before that date!