Updated 2/23/2025
Our first regional competition of the year is Northern Lights in Duluth, MN, on February 26-March 1, 2024. This page covers the schedule, packing list, lodging, transportation, and more. Contact the team email (2491nomythic@gmail.com) with any questions.
In general, students will have a high degree of independence. We are staying in a hotel, and students will be 4 to 6 per room. Mentors/coaches will be in rooms nearby. Behavior expectations are high, and anyone not meeting our team’s code of conduct, or becomes ill, will need a parent to come to get them.
Students will be asked indicate if they plan to come if they are currently passing all of their classes, and who they would prefer or not prefer to room with.
All team members going to Duluth must complete these items ASAP, and definitely by February 17th.
Send in payment. The sliding scale recommended $250. Make checks out to Mythical Robotics and hand them to Michael or use Paypal by February 17th
Avalon students must get grade-clearance from their advisors (GRS students are checked every week by GRS). Those emails must be submitted by February 17th – either passing or a plan before Duluth.
Prescription meds must be given to a mentor in the original container. We must have a form on file (signed by a doctor) for each med.
You may fill out the NoMythic Parent Prescription/Insurance 2024-25 form again if any information has changed or if you need to get a new form for a new medication.
Be on the bus at 4 pm on Wednesday, February 26 at GRS. The bus will leave with or without you!
Fees
Recommended amount is $250. As always, families should pay on a sliding scale. We do require some amount for EVERY student traveling with us. If you can pay extra – we thank you! If you should not pay that amount, pay what you can.
Make checks out to Mythical Robotics, and hand them to Michael at practice or use PayPal to pay the fee. The fee covers about half the cost of the trip.
Grade Check Form – Due February 17th
Students are expected to be in good academic standing in order to miss school for a trip like this. That means having a C or better in every class and having no overdue projects. If students cannot meet those standards, we will work with them on a case-by-case to get them up to that level in time to take the trip. Students must take responsibility for completing the process and any work requested by their teachers/advisors.
Great River students have each teacher sign off that the student is in good academic standing and has a plan to handle the missed work.
Avalon students send an email (copying the team) to their advisor to verify their projects and due dates and requesting their advisor to clear them for their school absences.
COVID/Influenza/Colds
One illness can sweep through our team before we leave, leaving us unable to get ready or attend our event. At the competition, students will be mixed with thousands of other people. We recommend:
Vaccination. The new COVID-19 vaccine (after the start of this school year) and the annual flu shot don’t just protect your student – they protect the entire team, especially our most vulnerable members. Please make sure your student is fully vaccinated.
Masks. The team owns many high-quality masks. Anyone feeling worried or like they just might be coming down with something is encouraged to take and wear them.
Exclusion. Team members who are sick should stay home – including the competition. Anyone who tests positive for COVID must stay home for five days AFTER the last symptoms resolve. We try to find virtual ways for team members to participate during this time.
Behavior Expectations
Expectations are high for students on this trip. Students will sign up for jobs and shifts and will be expected to meet those responsibilities without much assistance. The event is loud and chaotic – and not for everyone. If students cannot follow the same basic guidelines as they would in school, they will need to be picked up from Duluth. Any behavior not appropriate to a school setting is not appropriate here.
You are representing yourself, our team, our schools, and FRC. Don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do in front of a mentor.
Roles/Commitments: Be sure to either show up to work your shifts – or find someone else to take your responsibility for you.
Hotel: Be in your room and sleeping at appropriate times. Be a good roommate, and don’t go into other rooms without enthusiastic consent from everyone in that room. There is bed space for everyone – you may choose to sleep on the floor if you prefer your own space – there should be NO pressure to make this decision. Be a respectful hotel guest.
Don’t forget to come get your meds!
Notify others of your whereabouts – and travel in groups of three or more.
Find mentors if you need help or are unsure about a situation.
Practice gracious professionalism
Parent at Competition
Parents are always welcome to attend any of our competitions. They are all free and open to the public – you can come and go as often as you like without needing tickets.
At competition – parents help cheer wildly for our team from the stands (which the kids say helps them compete better). You can also be available to help students if you wish.
There was a parent social gathering Friday night after competition ends in 2024 at Wild State Cider hosted by April and Tim Pearson. Ciders and craft sodas are available for purchase and Wild State is food delivery friendly. Feel free to contact April at 651-442-8171 with any questions if you are interested in this event.
Transportation
The team will travel by charter bus to Duluth.
4:00 pm, Wednesday, February 26th: Load bus at GRS. Depart at 4:30 pm sharp. There will be sandwiches on the bus for dinner.
10 pm, Saturday, March 1st: Approximate arrival time back at GRS – Students will call/text parents/guardians with updated times as we get close to the cities.
Lodging
The team will be staying at the The Suites hotel in Canal Park. The competition is at the nearby DECC, in easy walking distance. Students will be placed in rooms based on the people they are most comfortable with, not necessarily by gender.
Meals
There will be regular meals, snacks and water breaks. Students can bring snacks or other food from home if they wish – there are refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms. Students MUST have a plan to eat regular meals in order to attend the trip.
Breakfasts: The hotel breakfast includes: eggs, meat, yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal and more, including your choice of hot waffle flavors.
Lunches: Team members will pack pack bag lunches that team members can take outside to eat.
Dinners: Dinners will self-catered at the hotel
Wednesday: Sandwiches from Nelsons.
Thursday: Pizza and alternatives from Costco
Friday: Taco bar
Saturday: Bring money for a stop for fast food on the way home. Students are welcome to pack extra food at lunch for dinner, but most prefer not to.
Stands/Home Base
Our team home base during the regional is in the stands. Our team will stake out a purple unicorn spot, where we’ll maintain a presence throughout the competition. We’ll be doing scouting, video, photos, resting, sharing information, and cheering. Parents are encouraged to join us in the stands. Team members are also encouraged to use the stands as the home base. Visit the pit, and work there as needed, but remember that it’s a tiny space!
Phones
Unlike a regular school trip, please bring your cell phone and charger – they are critical for communication during the competition.
Packing List
Clothes
NoMythic t-shirt (bring extras if you have them)
2 pairs of pants
3 pairs socks
3 pairs underwear
Sleepwear
Indoor shoes + outdoor shoes
Outerwear in layers – we’ll be walking 1/2 mile to the DECC each day, regardless of the weather. The center may be hot or cold.
Pillow (optional, required if participating in hair dying)
Towel (required if participating in hair dye)
No swim suit – pool is closed.
Toiletries
Deodorant
Toothbrush/paste – please!
Medications
Other toiletries, as desired
Other
Water bottle!!
Backpack to carry your things
Some sort of photo ID
Cash – Small amount of cash for snacks at the convention center (if desired), plus $5-$10 for dinner on the way home.
Snacks – there will be some group snacks, but students may prefer to bring their own (cheaper than vending machines at the hotel or the concession stand)
Phone + charger, if you have one (see above)
Electronics – please leave laptops and gaming devices at home. They are distracting and encourage staying up too late.
***No late night anything allowed – there will be a lights-out time – we need our sleep!