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

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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

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