A new school-year means welcoming new team members to FIRST Robotics teams, and The Green Machine is no exception. We find the best way to help new members feel welcome and veteran members to have a less-stressful chance to share their FIRST experiences is to get away from it all and simply have fun!
This will be our third year for an all-team retreat, including an overnight at a local hotel, to highlight what makes the FIRST program so outstanding: A strong bond between team members. The Green Machine’s team retreat focuses on community-building activities and games, as well as safety training, presentations and information about FIRST.
“My favorite part about the retreat is being able to connect with rookies” said Nate, a returning member who is a part of the build subteam. Because the retreat aims to build positive relationships between team members, it is known for producing countless good memories and inside jokes. In addition, the event’s many presentations are a good tool for returning members and rookies alike, in that they help them to really understand what The Green Machine aims to do. “All the presentations really help make people feel included in the team’s legacy,” Nate added.
Though some of the activities planned for the retreat are kept secret, team members agree that it adds to the excitement. “We want all of our members to go into the retreat without knowing what they are doing. This can sometimes echo what happens in the build and competition season, when you don’t know what challenges will be thrown at you and as a team, you will have to deal with the uncertainty and unexpected bumps in the road,” said Rebecca Earl, Green Machine business & outreach mentor and one of the individuals who carefully planned and helped launch the first-ever team retreat 2 years ago.
The Green Machine aims to have as many members attend as possible, including rookies. “It is a great way to learn about the team and get to know both other team members and mentors in a more informal setting,” Earl added.
“The specific events and activities that we do change year to year such that rookie and veteran team members need to start on the same page, added Rachel Earl, advocacy & communications mentor. “We incorporate team building activities, as well as a mentor event organized by Alyson Purdy, our faculty advisor, to ensure maximum engagement,” on the part of students and mentors.
Overall, the retreat is a fun place to be. It helps new and returning team members connect with each other, as well as learn more about what they will be doing during the season. The retreat is really the first step towards a successful and fun season, and the bond it forms between members will no doubt make for a great year.