July FTC Link: 🧭Decode Season Schedule
- FIRST Chesapeake
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to the July FTC Link Newsletter!
Check out this month's highlights and reminders!
July newsletter at a glance:
Team Health Survey- Don't forget to complete!
FTC 25-26 Season Schedule- One venue still needed!
25-26 FAQs
25-26 District Key Volunteer Positions Open
Recruiting Stipended Positions
Mentor Conference Resources
Team Health Survey
Thank you to those who have filled this out already! We want to hear from you.
Take a few minutes to share your current status, challenges, and what support you’ll need for next season. Your input helps us plan and provide the right resources to keep teams strong and thriving.
Need to meet with me? Fill out the survey and let me know how you prefer to be contacted.
FTC Season 25-26 FIRST Age: Decode
From artifacts to algorithms, it’s time to decode the season.
Save the dates and join the tech-powered dig!
As we gear up to dig into another season of innovation, teamwork, and discovery, we want to share some important updates to the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team fee structure for the upcoming 2025-2026 season.
Steps to play this season:
STEP 1: FIRST Inspires Team Registration Fee: $325
STEP 2: FIRST Chesapeake Competition Registration Fee (2 qualifiers): $500
STEP 3: Select qualifiers. ***Without payment to BOTH FIRST Inspires and FIRST Chesapeake, teams will not be able to select qualifiers.
Championship Event Fee (if qualified): $600
Optional 3rd Play Event Fee (if available): $250 More information to come on process.
These updates reflect adjustments that will help us continue providing high-quality events and support services for all our participating teams across the District.
2025-2026 FTC Season Schedule
The schedule is subject to change.
Any changes will be communicated via newsletter.
Kickoff In Person Events
These kickoff events are hosted by teams and are in-person
opportunities to celebrate the start of the season.
Registration will be managed by the specific hosts beginning August 1, 205.
Belcamp, MD | Discovery Center 4505 Pulaski Hwy Belcamp, MD 21017 |
Christiansburg, VA | Christiansburg Recreation Center 1600 N Franklin St. Christiansburg, VA 24073 |
Laurel, MD | JHU Applied Physics Lab Building 201 11091 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723 |
Moorefield, WV | Moorefield Middle School 303 Caledonia Heights Rd. Moorefield, WV 26836 |
Richmond, VA | Maggie Walker Governor's School 1000 N. Lombardy St. Richmond, VA 23220 |
Washington, DC | DC International School 1400 Main Dr. NW Washington, DC 20012 |
Westminster, MD | Exploration Commons 50 E. Main St. Westminster, MD 21157 |
Updates & Changes for FIRST AGE
We are making some changes to some of our processes for next season and we want to make sure you know what to expect.
Will 3rd plays be allowed and included on the invoice for competition registration if requested?
If there is space to support a 3rd play option, we will offer them. They will be invoiced separately from the regular qualifier fee. 3rd plays will be $250. The process for 3rd plays will be shared as we enter registration.
When will a more detailed FTC competition schedule be available?
Registration will open in August. Qualifier Selection will be in September. Registration fees at CHS will include 2 qualifiers. The goal is for the final schedule with venues to be available by July 1. (See the graphic above.)
Is advancement changing to allow more teams to advance to the district championships? If so, how?
Yes. We will have a 96 team Championship this year. That would result in approximately 4-5 advancement slots per event. This will not change World advancement as FIRST will determine how many spots we have and release that information on December 1, 2025.
Please REMEMBER that advancement is ALWAYS based on what the Competition Manual dictates and the total number of teams competing at the event.
Will teams be required to provide one or more volunteers for a competition like last year?
Yes, we will encourage/request that all teams help by giving at least one volunteer to an event. Last season, about 20% of our teams did this and it really helped staff events.
How soon do I need to request an invoice if we are paying with a purchase order after July 1?
August 1, 2025
How will Pits be managed this season?
Pits will be taped off at 8 x 8 areas provided the venue can support that. All teams are asked to provide their own tables for pit set up. Venues will NOT provide them this season.
How will Portfolios be managed this season?
Teams will take a printed copy of their portfolio with them to judging. We will no longer collect Portfolios at Pit Admin at check in.
How will Drivers Buttons work this season?
Upon check in, a coach will need to provide a paper copy of their roster with check marks indicating that all team members, coaches, and mentors have signed a Consent and Release form. Upon collection and check in, Drivers Buttons will be given to teams and NOT collected. You may keep them!
REMEMBER to bring them to your next competition!
Our team left early, how do we get our trophy and medals?
We encourage teams to stay for the award ceremony during playoffs as this is a great time for teams to network, be inspired, and support their community! If your team leaves the competition early and received an award, the team will need to pay for shipping to receive their trophy and medals.
Will FIRST Chesapeake provide safety glasses?
No, but please REMEMBER to practice during your team time the way you plan to perform at competitions! Safety glasses are required to be in the pit and competition areas and there are very specific rules in the Competition Manual that govern this. Spectators who plan to visit those areas must get safety glasses from their teams.
Mentor Conference Resources are Here!
The Mentor Conference was a huge success! We had double the presenters and attendees than last year. We also had FIRST Headquarters representation and Sponsor representation on key topics that are important to you.
It was a great time to gather and network and be inspired and invigorated as we begin plans for the 25-26 FIRST Age Season. The session slides will be available soon! Mark your calendars for next year as we will aim for our 3rd annual event in May 2026!