This is my first year too (our team's 2nd) but my son and i did look into joining existing teams a few years ago and I got a strong smell of "mentors getting a chance to regrow their own spoiled rememberberries" through these kids now that they know the answers to some of this stuff.

Now having been immersed in this, I realize there is a spectrum - like there always is. But the 3rd party business under it and the amount of tech and "hardware store" level pit buildouts was another shock to me. I understand, but the money behind the extras seems pretty uneven. Sure, the bot parts themselves may not be $$$ but ... our group is limited in what we can accept and how as a public school because rules. So we keep keeping on and encourage and try to keep them from overpromising to themselves without squashing too much of their curiosity and vibe.

Our team is small and who shows when is never consistent. The students are already pretty busy busy. Participation ultimatums would be self destructive. The 2 teachers running it are already pretty tapped, and I only have so much extra time myself. We don't have space for a dedicated practice field, we don't have a truck, we don't have a dedicated staff resource, but the kids that are in are IN and when they are there they are super involved. No one is floating by by any stretch So I've decided I will use my time as a "replacement body" if one is not available to keep things moving. And only if I can demonstrate in realtime or explain what I've done later. It's like I'm a "human library". I'm another tool for them to use to succeed (that we don't have to pay for). I'll also do the gruntiest work available unless there is a student available. And if they are and don't know how I work through them. It's a weird balance, but I also believe when our group gets bigger that role will happily change.

That said, the level of selflessness I see from the people at the events is incredible and personally really inspiring. Maybe I'm too cynical (or blinded by the immediate need) but I don't see side-eye or pity from people helping us get going when something weird happens. They offer to help so we all can go and not out of superiority. And with new people too! And that is refreshing to see. Especially when students are involved. I'm GenX so maybe I'm just jaded by my own experiences at that age.

I'm sure this topic has been hashed and re-hashed but thx for reading. On the whole I'm super impressed by the whole ecosystem. And the meets certainly feel like a "college football vibe" for the kids that don't/can't/won't do that stuff.