December FTC Link: Decode Season
- Bonnie Crites
- Dec 3
- 7 min read
FIRST Chesapeake's FTC News
Stay informed and connected!
This month's newsletter at a glance:
Queuing Up
URGENT Volunteers Needed-Sign Up Today!
Top 10 Reminders for FTC DECODE Competitions
Northern VA DECODE Scrimmage
Volunteer Training: Judge
Spread the Word
Women In STEM Scholarship
Nominations: She Leads FIRST
FTC Summer Academy 2026
Host an Event for 2026
Virginia JCI Senate Scholarship Opportunity
Watch the Replay!
Event and Participation Policy
Final FTC 25-26 Season Schedule
Qualifier details located on FIRST Chesapeake website
Volunteers Needed for FTC Qualifiers-Urgent Need!
Our qualifier events run on volunteer power! Each team is expected to provide at least one volunteer during the season. Roles include both technical and non-technical (field reset, queuing, judging, robot support, registration, safety, and more). Volunteering helps ensure fair, well-run competitions for every team. Click the links below to sign up at a qualifier near you!
Qualifier Location and Date | Link to Register |
Washington DC Qualifier I-Dec. 6 | |
Washington DC Qualifier II-Dec. 7 | |
Roanoke Qualifier-Dec. 7 | |
Baltimore Qualifier I-Dec. 13 | |
Richmond Qualifier I-Dec. 13 | |
Baltimore Qualifier II-Dec. 14 | |
Richmond Qualifier II-Dec. 14 | |
Moorefield Qualifier I-Jan. 10 | |
Powhatan Qualifier I-Jan. 10 | |
Moorefield Qualifier II-Jan. 11 | |
Powhatan Qualifier II-Jan. 11 | |
Alexandria Qualifier I-Jan. 17 | |
Alexandria Qualifier II-Jan. 18 | |
Norfolk Qualifier-Jan. 18 | |
Harrisonburg Qualifier I-Jan. 24 | |
Union Bridge Qualifier I-Jan. 24 | |
Harrisonburg Qualifier II-Jan. 25 | |
Union Bridge Qualifier II-Jan. 25 |
Top Ten Reminders for DECODE!
All teams must have a PAPER copy of their ROSTER from their FIRST Dashboard ✅confirming✅ all team members and mentors have a Consent and Release is on file. Students and mentors will not be allowed to compete. There will be NO paper Consent and Release forms at the event.
NEW: Bring your own folding table to use in your pit area. No tables will be supplied.
NEW: If you have a portfolio, take it with you to your judging session. Pit Admin will not collect them.
NEW: At least one student must be present to check in.
NEW: Driver Buttons no longer get collected. Your team gets to keep them BUT you must bring them to your second qualifier.
NEW: Inspectors will come to you! Sign up for a time slot at Inspection and an inspector will get you.
Follow all safety protocols from the Competition Manual.
Pits are to be used for scouting and robot repair. Please do not use your pit as a gathering place for spectators, family, and fans! It is encouraged that one team member is in the pit at all times in case judges come by to interview your team.
NEW: At least one team rep should be available for BOTH opening and closing ceremonies. If you are not present for an award, you will not get your trophy.
NEW: FTC teams will now receive advancement points for robot performance and judged awards. Read the manual to fully understand the change.
Above all…have fun, be a gracious professional, and remember your events are run on volunteer power…bring a volunteer to the event and be kind and respectful!
Good luck this season!
FIRST Chesapeake
FTC DECODE Scrimmage in Herndon, VA
Team 519 Epsilon Delta Too is hosting an FTC DECODE Scrimmage Dec, 6 in Herndon, VA! If your team is interested in participating, fill out this form! This is a great chance to practice the game and connect with other teams. Space is limited, so register ASAP!
FTC Volunteer Judge Advisor and Judge Trainings
Please Share with Your Judges & Judge Advisors
Help us spread the word to Judge Advisors and anyone interested in volunteering to judge:
Judge Training (all Judges)
Mon, Jan 5 • 7:00–8:30 PM ET • Zoom
These sessions cover interview flow, rubrics/consistency, pit & interview logistics, DECODE updates, and more.
Questions or interested in volunteering? volunteer@firstchesapeake.org
Please forward this to the relevant folks on your team and partner organizations.
2025-26 Season Updates & FAQs
Pit Areas
8 x 8 pit areas will be provided if the venue can support it
Teams are REQUIRED to prove their own tables for the pit area. Venues will NOT provide tables.
Portfolios
Teams will take a printed copy of their portfolio with them to judging.
Portfolios will NOT be collected by Pit Admin at check in.
Volunteers From Teams
FTC qualifier events rely on volunteers to run smoothly.
Each team is expected to provide at least one volunteer during the season.
Volunteers can serve in a variety of roles—technical or non-technical.
Supporting events helps ensure fair, well-run competitions for all teams
Drive Team Buttons
At check-in, coaches MUST provide a paper roster with check marks confirming all team members, coaches, and mentors have signed the Consent and Release form.
***No paper Consent and Release forms will be available on site per new FIRST requirements.
Once the roster is submitted, the teams will given their drive team buttons.
Drive team buttons will be kept by the team
Make sure your team brings your drive team buttons to the next competition!
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses will NOT be provided by FIRST Chesapeake.
Safety glasses are required in the pit and competition areas as specified by the Competition Manual. This applies to spectators as well!
REMEMBER to practice during your team time the way you plan to perform at competitions!
Trophies and Medals
Trophies and medals given at the Awards Ceremony.
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!
You must have a team member present to receive your team's award. (Competition manual rule E702).
Advancement to Championship
We will have a 96 team Championship this year with 4-5 advancement slots per qualifier.
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 number of competing teams.
Women in STEM Scholarship
Sponsored by Dominion Energy
Please share this opportunity with your students.
Calling all female students in the FIRST Chesapeake district! If you’re a junior or senior on an FTC or FRC team, this scholarship is for you.
Who Can Apply
Current junior or senior FTC/FRC team members in the FIRST Chesapeake district
Anyone who identifies as a young woman and is active in the FIRST community
Key Dates
Application Deadline: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM (ET)
Semifinalist Interviews (Virtual): January 2026 — details TBA
Required Attendance: Women in STEM Event, Saturday, April 11, VSU Multipurpose Center (Petersburg, VA)
Apply Now
Women in STEM Scholarship Application
Please share with eligible students on your team, and help us celebrate and support young women in STEM across the FIRST Chesapeake community! 💙
Nominations Open: She Leads FIRST Award
Help us honor outstanding women in STEM who uplift the FIRST Chesapeake community.
Who We’re Seeking
Women who lead with excellence in STEM
Mentors who inspire FIRST students—especially girls and underrepresented groups
Community builders who give back to the FIRST Chesapeake community
Advocates for STEM education and opportunity
Role models who demonstrate leadership, integrity, and perseverance
Ready to Enroll in FTC Summer Academy 2026!
FIRST is gauging interest for this summer's FIRST Tech Challenge Academy in our District. This four-day intensive academy will provide hands-on training, coaching strategies, and exposure to FTC robotics for both new and experienced coaches. Are you interested in attending?
Who Should Attend
New and prospective coaches
Existing FTC coaches looking to deepen their technical and program management skills.
Geared Up teacher-coaches ready to expand their technical acumen
What You You Learn
Technical sessions (robot design, programming, control systems)
FTC game strategy and team management
Mock FTC events (students + teachers)
Networking and mentor roundtables
If you are interested in learning more, fill out the survey below to let us know! See you on the field!
Do You Have What it Takes to Host FTC?
Most of our events are hosted by FTC teams and schools just like yours! Hosting a FIRST Tech Challenge Qualifier is an exciting way for FTC teams, schools, and organizations to support STEM education, gain behind-the-scenes experience in event management, and connect with other teams and volunteers. By hosting an event, you play a key role in making robotics accessible to more students while strengthening your own FTC community.
Fill out the survey, and you may be one of next years events! Read more at our website.
Virginia JCI Senate Scholarship Now Open — Ideal for FIRST Robotics Seniors
Scholarship opportunity perfect for our FIRST community. The 2025–2026 Virginia JCI Senate Scholarship is now accepting applications from Virginia high school seniors. FIRST Robotics students, known for leadership, technical skill, and community service, are strong candidates for this competitive award.
Who Can Apply
Any vocational or college-bound graduating senior in Virginia
How to Apply
Visit the Virginia JCI Senate website for full instructions
Apply by Jan 12, 2026
Two or more students will be moved forward for a potential of $1000-$2000 towards their education and training. Good luck!
FIRST Chesapeake Event Attendance and Participation Policy
To keep qualifiers running smoothly, FIRST Chesapeake has a new policy:
No-shows: Have reduced priority for future qualifiers, may lose Championship eligibility, and forfeit fees.
Teams unable to compete for reasons beyond their control are not counted as no-shows if they notify FIRST Chesapeake before the event begins, but registration fees are still forfeited.
Withdrawals: Team-initiated removals must be requested at least 3 weeks in advance via ftc-teams@firstchesapeake.org.
Please read the full policy and details at the link below:
Follow the link below to catch up with last months news, including:
The New FTC Advancement System
Updates to the Dean's List Timeline
The FTC Hardship Grant Process
The DECODE Game Manual
And more!
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