VOLUNTEER · DC · MD · VA · WV
Robots build kids.
You make it happen.
Every season, 35+ robotics competitions across our region run on volunteers like you. No robotics background required. Pick a path below and we will meet you where you are.
Sammy Nelms, Senior FTA recognized at Volunteer of the Year 2026
NEW VOLUNTEERS
A full day that stays with you.
There’s a student today who will remember this event for the rest of their life — not because they won, but because someone showed up, paid attention, and treated their work like it mattered. That someone could be you. It’s a full day and has the power to change a kid’s future!
“This was a great competition... one of the most difficult deliberations I have ever been a part of! We heard so many stories — from teams whose mentors had passed this year, to those building prosthetic-like pieces to help a musician play and hold their instrument.”
-Shyanne Chan, Judge — FTC VA Championship (sponsored by Capital One)
SEE YOURSELF HERE
You're exactly who we're looking for.
Most of our volunteers had zero robotics experiencce on day one. Find the version of you below
STEM Professionals
Ever think "I wish this existed when I was a kid"? It's not too late. Bring your experience to students in your own community.
Great first role → Judge or Inspector
FIRST Alumni
You already know why this matters. Come back to the field and give the next generation the experience that shaped yours.
Great first role → Referee or Judge
MOST WANTED
Parents & Guardians
Spend the day where your student competes and see the whole event from the inside. You don't need to know a thing about robots to make a huge difference.
Great first role → Welcome or Pit Admin
Service Hour Letter
Official documentation of your volunteer hours for school, scholarship, or community service requirements.
STEM Community
Connect with a growing network of STEM educators, mentors, and industry professionals across the region.
Professional Reference
Build a relationship with program leaders who can speak to your reliability, teamwork, and initiative.
It's Actually Fun
Robotics competitions are high-energy, high-five-filled days. Many volunteers come back season after season because they love it.
OUR #1 NEED THIS SEASON
Become a Judge.
Judges talk with student teams about their work, their journey, and what they built, then help recognize them. It is the most rewarding seat in the house, and it is where we need people most.
No technical background. No FIRST experience.
We train you before every event.
WHAT YOU GET BACK
A full day that stays with you.
Most competitions run from about 7:00 AM setup to 6:00 PM breakdown. It's a long day, and volunteers consistently tell us it's one of the most rewarding of their season.
Service hour letter
Official documentation of your hours for school, scholarship, or community service requirements.
STEM community
Connect with a growing network of STEM educators, mentors, and industry professionals across the region.
Professional reference
Build a relationship with program leaders who can speak to your reliability, teamwork, and initiative.
It's actually fun
Robotics competitions are high-energy, high-five-filled days. Many volunteers come back season after season for the love it.
“If you've never volunteered with FIRST before, don't let that stop you either! The robotics knowledge can be taught. What matters most is a passion for STEM, a willingness to learn, and a desire to create an environment where young people can discover what they're capable of.”
Sammy Nelms,
Senior FIRST Tech Advisory, FIRST Tech Challenge 2026
WHAT YOU GET BACK
A full day that stays with you.
Most competitions run from about 7:00 AM setup to 6:00 PM breakdown. It's a long day, and volunteers consistently tell us it's one of the most rewarding of their season.
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
Welcome back. Here's everything you need.
No scrolling required. Your three links are right here.
What's new this season
HIGHEST NEED
We need more judges
If you've specialized on the field, judging is a great new angle. Training provided at every event.
NEW THIS YEAR
Volunteer Ready Pathway
A streamlined onboarding checklist in your FIRST Dashboard. Complete it once, then register for any event.
MORE EVENTS
20+ qualifiers this season
More dates and locations than ever across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Browse them below.
READY TO LEAD?
The next step is yours to take.
Experienced volunteers can apply for lead and district-level positions that shape events across the region. We promote from within.
UPCOMING · 2026–2027 SEASON
Find an event near you.
Events run roughly 7 AM to 6 PM, sometimes two days in a row. Filter by state to find one close to home.
Saturday
Dec 5, 2026
FTC
Washington DC Qualifier I
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
Saturday
Dec 5, 2026
FTC
Powhatan, VA Qualifier I
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
Sunday
Dec 6, 2026
FTC
Powhatan, VA Qualifier II
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
Sunday
Dec 6, 2026
FTC
Washington DC Qualifier II
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
Saturday
Dec 12, 2026
FTC
Manassas, VA Qualifier I
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
Saturday
Dec 12, 2026
FTC
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier I
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Sunday
Dec 13, 2026
FTC
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier II
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Sunday
Dec 13, 2026
FTC
Manassas, VA Qualifier II
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
Saturday
Jan 9, 2027
FTC
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier I
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
Saturday
Jan 9, 2027
FTC
Martinsville, VA Qualifier I
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
Sunday
Jan 10, 2027
FTC
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier II
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
Sunday
Jan 10, 2027
FTC
Martinsville, VA Qualifier II
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
Sunday
Jan 17, 2027
FTC
Virginia Beach, VA Qualifier I
1320 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA
Friday
Mar 5, 2027
FRC
Glen Allen, VA Event
4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Friday
Mar 5, 2027
FRC
Alexandria, VA Event
7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315
Friday
Mar 12, 2027
FRC
Chesapeake, VA Event
1996 Hawk Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Friday
Mar 12, 2027
FRC
Pasadena, MD Event
4798 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD 21122
Friday
Mar 19, 2027
FRC
Ijamsville, MD
3471 Campus Drive, Ijamsville, MD
Friday
Mar 19, 2027
FRC
Blacksburg, VA Event
3401 Bruin Ln, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Friday
Mar 26, 2027
FRC
Annapolis, MD Event
201 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD 21037
UPCOMING · 2026–2027 SEASON
Find an event near you.
Events run roughly 7 AM to 6 PM, sometimes two days in a row. Filter by state to find one close to home.
Saturday
Dec 5, 2026
FTC
Washington DC Qualifier I
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
Saturday
Dec 5, 2026
FTC
Powhatan, VA Qualifier I
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
Sunday
Dec 6, 2026
FTC
Powhatan, VA Qualifier II
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
Sunday
Dec 6, 2026
FTC
Washington DC Qualifier II
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
Saturday
Dec 12, 2026
FTC
Manassas, VA Qualifier I
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
Saturday
Dec 12, 2026
FTC
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier I
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Sunday
Dec 13, 2026
FTC
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier II
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Sunday
Dec 13, 2026
FTC
Manassas, VA Qualifier II
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
Saturday
Jan 9, 2027
FTC
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier I
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
Saturday
Jan 9, 2027
FTC
Martinsville, VA Qualifier I
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
Sunday
Jan 10, 2027
FTC
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier II
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
Sunday
Jan 10, 2027
FTC
Martinsville, VA Qualifier II
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
Sunday
Jan 17, 2027
FTC
Virginia Beach, VA Qualifier I
1320 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA
Friday
Mar 5, 2027
FRC
Glen Allen, VA Event
4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Friday
Mar 5, 2027
FRC
Alexandria, VA Event
7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315
Friday
Mar 12, 2027
FRC
Chesapeake, VA Event
1996 Hawk Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Friday
Mar 12, 2027
FRC
Pasadena, MD Event
4798 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD 21122
Friday
Mar 19, 2027
FRC
Ijamsville, MD
3471 Campus Drive, Ijamsville, MD
Friday
Mar 19, 2027
FRC
Blacksburg, VA Event
3401 Bruin Ln, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Friday
Mar 26, 2027
FRC
Annapolis, MD Event
201 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD 21037
Washington DC Qualifier I
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
December 5, 2026
Powhatan, VA Qualifier I
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
December 5, 2026
Powhatan, VA Qualifier II
1800 Judes Ferry Road, Powhatan, Va, 23139
December 6, 2026
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Washington DC Qualifier II
1400 Main Dr NW, Washington, DC 20012
December 6, 2026
Manassas, VA Qualifier I
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
December 12, 2026
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier I
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
December 12, 2026
Charlottesville, VA Qualifier II
2132 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
December 13, 2026
Manassas, VA Qualifier II
9950 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110, USA
December 13, 2026
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier I
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
January 9, 2027
Martinsville, VA Qualifier I
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
January 9, 2027
Union Bridge, MD Qualifier II
3825 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791
January 10, 2027
Martinsville, VA Qualifier II
645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, VA 24112
January 10, 2027
Virginia Beach, VA Qualifier I
1320 Mill Dam Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA
January 17, 2027
Glen Allen, VA Event
4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
March 5, 2027
Alexandria, VA Event
7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315
March 5, 2027
Chesapeake, VA Event
1996 Hawk Blvd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
March 12, 2027
Pasadena, MD Event
4798 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD 21122
March 12, 2027
Ijamsville, MD
3471 Campus Drive, Ijamsville, MD
March 19, 2027
Blacksburg, VA Event
3401 Bruin Ln, Blacksburg, VA 24060
March 19, 2027
Annapolis, MD Event
201 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD 21037
March 26, 2027
Volunteer Information Sessions
On This Site
-
Find an event near you
-
Choose a role — or let us match you
Questions along the way?
On The FIRST Dashboard
Questions?
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
Welcome back. Here's everything you need.
No scrolling required. Your three links are right here.
Ready to lead?
Experienced volunteers can apply for lead and district-level positions that shape events across the region. We promote from within so if you've been a specialist, the next step is yours to take.
FIND YOUR ROLE
Every event runs on five kinds of people.
Browse the categories, then head to FIRST Inspires for full role descriptions and sign-up. Not sure? Judging is the easiest place to start.
Questions along the way? Email volunteer@firstchesapeake.org
Find the Right Role for You
Every event runs on people filling many kinds of roles.
Many roles require no background experience in STEM or Robotics!
Browse the categories below, then visit FIRST HQ for full role descriptions and to sign up.
Byteforge went from day one to the championship floor
Six months ago, Byteforge didn’t exist. In August, it was a handful of students and a mentor with a builder’s background, tackling FRC for the very first time. By April, they were on the floor at Virginia State University, one of 55 teams at the FIRST Chesapeake District Championship, having run a full competition season start to finish in year one.
