Sorry, I don't have a good example of what you're asking for but here are some ideas. It is usually best for all team members to plan to be together as a team for the entire eight hour day -- not disappearing with family and not having all the parent in tow. If the parents don't have a "job", they should be watching the robot game competitions. It should be obvious that one coach in charge of ten fourth-graders is not enough. You need to plan for adults to be at least "two deep" and more if you have a mix of boys and girls. Adults will need breaks during the eight hours too. Personally, I encourage the kids to invite their entire families because it is a lot of fun for everyone. But, it is a very long day (full 8 hours) with little to do other than watch the robot game competitions and wander through the pit and very little face time with their own kid. Giving parents a role is a great idea. Some ideas for parent assistants (borrowing heavily from Scott Rakestraw's 11/12/2012 email): *Assistant or Subteam Coaches* In judging session with/instead of coach *Lunch Coordinator* Coordinate getting families and kids in one place at lunch. help with special diet needs. Check with your tournament director as they may have concessions that help finance the tournament. *Tournament Swaps Coordinator* Help with the judging sessions transitions. Running to the pit/car when something is forgotten. Remember, the kids do all the setup in the judging sessions. *Team photographer and videographer *One person responsible for video during judging sessions, take shots of all team members in lieu of parents, take "official" team photos. Most importantly, sharing all with the whole team. *Pit Escort * Keep an eye on the team's pit while the team is elsewhere. Assist with rounding up kids when time to get to another event. *Social Coordinator* Coordinate and run periodic core value exercises and games during the day. Note that there are restrictions on adults in the judging sessions -- *judging sessions are not open to the public!* Let parents know in advance to set expectations. Though every tournament director has their own rules, plan on only two FLL registered coaches/mentors being allowed in and consider yourself lucky if one parent "videographer" is allowed in. Jeff Beima Coach, Terra Centre Robotics Club Terra-Techno Tigers, FLL Team #6960 Terra-Techno Tigers Two, FLL Team #21373 [log in to unmask] On Tue, Nov 3, 2015 at 8:32 AM, Georg Reichard <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hello all, > > Rookie team and coach here, and the tips coming through this channel were > most helpful – thanks everyone. > > I could have sworn that someone mentioned a draft for an email he/she > sends to parents regarding the regional tournaments and what role or not > parents have there. But I can’t find it anywhere in the archives. > > From what I recall it was about expecting long waits etc. > > If it wasn’t through this group, what are recommendations? > > Should parents (not coaches and helpers that were involved) stay the > entire time? > > Better to drop the kids of and come back for the ceremony parts? > > > > Any pointers would be most appreciated. > > Thanks > > Georg > ------------------------------ > To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit > https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or > leave the list". > VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. > Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to > subscribe. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe.