Jennifer,
 
Others have already replied to your questions regarding fees, skills, hours to meet for "practice" etc.  As a coach for our team for last few years, I would certainly encourage you to register your team and plan to attend the regional tournament.  Provide an environment and encouragement to you team and you will be surprised at the results your team will achieve.
 
Best,
Sachin
Coach: Nanobots
Harrisonburg.

On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:11 PM, Michael Brown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Best advice is don't give up.  Even if you are not ready go to competition any way, you and your kids will learn TONS from other teams.
 
If you need a program for a spreadsheet, download openoffice at openoffice.org. It's free and will meet 90% of your needs.
 
Check out techbrick http://www.techbrick.com/  loads of help, ideas and even an android and iphone apps for scoring.
 
As for the hours I tell my parents at the start that it is a large commitment,  We end up at least three days a week for two - three hours and some Saturdays.
 
Mike
Coach of the WAFFLEBOTS! 
The only team on the Eastern Shore.

On Thu, Jul 28, 2011 at 12:01 AM, SUBSCRIBE VADCFLL-L Anonymous <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi,
 My team  of 6 has met three times and we're trying to decide whether to
compete this year or wait.  I'm sorry, I'm sure these questions have been
posted before.  I have looked through the archives, but haven't found what
I'm looking for.

1.  Is the National Registration a one time fee forever, that will be attached to
the coaches name or the school, regardless of what students are on the team?

2.  I can't download most of the files on here as my computer doesn't have
anything except works and pdf capabilities.  Is there a sheet from a previous
year that breaks down the basics of the competition?  I read that the robot
missions are 25% of the score, but don't know what encompasses the other
75%.

3.  Would it be humiliating for a group of 9-11 yr olds to meet 2 hours a week
and compete?  My parents don't want to add more at this point, and I don't
have a point of reference as far as skill levels in either research or maneuvers.

4.  Are there licensing legalities to putting logos on team t-shirts? And how do
we find out if other teams have the same name?

 We don't have funding organized at this point, so I can't go get some of
these great resource books you have been suggesting.  Thanks for any tips,
and for posting them yet again.

Jennifer Armstrong

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Michael Brown
Y!:nrune AOL:nrune
GPS: Team Virginia Brown's

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