2025-2026

Our den address is 805 Mount Vernon Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Please reach out to boosterclub@technowolves.org with any questions.

Student Name*

Introduction

Techno Wolves FRC Team 5518 is a twelth-year robotics team. Our mission statement is "to enrich the minds of high school students by promoting an innovative learning experience with our community - such as local businesses, schools, and mentors - via the exploration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through the exposure of robotics and business management principles." Even if you are still unsure about joining the team, please share information about Techno Wolves and its website (http://technowolves.org) with your parents/guardians. If you would like to know more about the team, please email any questions to boosterclub@technowolves.org.

FIRST Overview

FIRST (For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit organization founded "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989, FIRST seeks to promote a philosophy of teamwork and collaboration among engineers and encourages competing teams to remain friendly, helping each other when needed, expressed through its values of Gracious Professionalism^®, and Coopertition^®.

The mission of FIRST is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build STEM skills, inspire innovation, and foster well-rounded life skills including self-confidence, communication and leadership.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC)

Starting from 1992, FIRST has allowed high school students to actively participate in robotics. FRC is "the varsity sport of the mind" where teams are given six weeks to build a robot based around a seasonal game that typically starts in the first week of January. After this "build season" has ended, teams compete with other teams and advance if their robot does well. North Carolina and many other regions follow the district model in which each region is split into several districts. Teams are required to attend a minimum of two districts events. If teams collect enough ranking points from the first two district events they attend by winning matches and gaining awards, they advance to the state championship and then the FIRST World Championships. Currently there are more than 3400 FRC teams worldwide throughout 28 countries.

Member Responsibility

Eligibility

To be eligible to join the team, a student must:

Be of high school age (14-18)
Have a good behavioral standing with his/her school
Commit to the team and its mission
Commit to the minimum attendance requirements outlined in the Meetings section
Commit to payment for the student dues as defined in the Student Dues section
Be ready to learn new things without hesitation

Eligibility does not automatically mandate a member to be accepted to the team.

Requirements

To remain a standing member of the team a student must:

Meet all the eligibility requirements
Complete all necessary registration with the team and FIRST including paying the student dues as defined in the Student Dues section
Wear the appropriate dress code to team meetings and events as outlined in the Dress Code section below
Attend all compulsory/necessary meetings events during offseason and Build Season
Send a notice if you will be absent or tardy to any of the meetings - three consecutive unexcused absences will result in a parent/guardian-student meeting per the Consequences section
Show respect and demonstrate appropriate behavior (e.g. productivity, safety) at all team meetings, events, and social media
Regularly check and respond to his/her team messages in email, Discord or other messaging platforms as needed

Failure to meet these requirements will result in action outlined in Consequences defined in the Code of Conduct & Policies by the team leadership and/or Booster Club.

Dress Code

At team meetings, everyone must wear close-toed shoes and safety glasses in the workshop area. At competitions, the team members must wear the current team competition t-shirt in addition to close-toed shoes and safety glasses in the Pit area. At the Robot Unveiling Ceremony, all students and mentors are expected to wear semi-professional or professional clothing with a preference of dark pants, a white dress shirt, and a red or dark tie for men. At any other team events, wearing the team shirt and close-toed shoes is required.

Individual Costs

Although sponsorships and fundraising efforts are essential in reducing the team’s expenses, members will still have to devote some financial responsibility if he/she wishes to join the team. The team annual budget averages about $27,000 and can range as high as $50,000 depending on the number of students on the team and how far the team progresses in competitions. A team must cover competition fees ($6,000 for 2 district events and another $4,000 for state championship), robot fees (approximately $4,000 for a competing robot), tools, transportation for the robot and members, and other team events such as the Robot Unveiling Ceremony and End-of-Season Celebration. Costs will fluctuate in accordance with gasoline prices, inflation, and competition locations.

The team will be devoted to raising as much funds as possible to reduce costs passed on to individual members. Student dues cover personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a single pair of safety glasses and gloves, two competition t-shirts, and any other gear necessary. With student dues, members can expect to individually cover:

Personal safety glasses if one assigned is lost (~$5)
Parent carpooling – volunteer drivers pay for gas and possible tolls
Potluck dish and/or supplies for beginning of season team social
Potluck dish and/or supplies for Robot Unveiling Ceremony after Build Season
Gifts for mentors and advisors (~$10), supplies, and/or potluck dish for End-of-Season Celebration
FIRST Events (rough estimates before applying raised money):
- (2) District Competitions – transportation and lunch (~$10-$20 per day)
- State Championship – transportation, hotel, and food (~$275)
- World Championship – transportation, hotel, and food (~$450)
- Offseason events/competition (i.e. THOR, workshops) – lunch (~$10-$20)

Student Dues

The first student dues are a mandatory payment of $250 due at application submission. The second student dues are also a mandatory payment of $250 due in November. The third payment is due in January but may be waived if the student obtains sponsor funding of at least $500 or reduced depending on other funding raised. If the student does not find a sponsor, he/she is responsible for paying the third student dues by the end of January.

Meetings

Members will be required to attend a minimum number of meetings and at least four outreach/fundraising events to qualify for Pit Squad, Drive Squad, and team leadership. Attendance requirements, as outlined below:

Offseason (July - December)

1 meeting per week for all members

Build Season (January - February)

Every Saturday is mandatory plus any 3 additional days for all members

Competitions & End-of-Season (March-May/June)

2 meetings per week for all members

Communication

Members will be responsible for regularly checking various services for any communication regarding Techno Wolves. The team often communicates via email, Discord, other messaging platforms, and occasionally via text message or call if necessary.

Code of Conduct & Policies

Expectations

All members on the team are expected to serve as role models to other members as well as to the community. Members must demonstrate a positive attitude at ALL times, reliability by coming to team meetings and events on time, and responsibility by helping in cleaning up the workspace while also going beyond to assist others when needed. Additionally, members must show responsiveness and leadership skills in doing tasks to their fullest quality possible when asked by the appropriate lead or mentor.

The following guiding principles are instrumental in creating a positive and supportive environment for the students and the community. Techno Wolves should be a fun, positive, and safe place for all members of the team.

Gracious Professionalism

Every member of the team is expected to display Gracious Professionalism at ALL times as well as promoting the ideals of FIRST such as demonstrating:

A positive attitude
A clean vocabulary
A friendly and polite attitude towards all people at ALL times
Respect for the feelings, opinions, and choices of other members
Respect for facilities supplies, tools, and equipment
Good sportsmanship

Consequences

Members who fail to demonstrate respect towards their peers, neglect to show up to meetings without prior notice, refuse to fulfill their responsibilities and carry out their assigned tasks, not meeting the requirements, and/or carry out an action detrimental to the environment of the team WILL be pulled aside, possibly sent home, and maybe issued a warning. Any warning will be dealt with the following procedure:

The first warning will be a verbal warning.
The second warning will be issued via a written notice to both the member and his/her parents/guardians.
The third warning will result in a parent/guardian-student conference with the coaches to resolve any issue. Depending on the severity, a lead may be considered for dismissal from his/her position.
Failure afterwards or failure to respond will result in the member's dismissal from the team with a formal notice.

Parent Interest Meeting

The Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club will host a parent informational meeting at a time and date TBD. This meeting is an opportunity for parents and students to learn about the team, meet some of the members, and to ask questions that may arise.

Submitting the Application

The application must be fully completed and turned in. Please submit the completed digital copy and if required, upload or email the write up to: boosterclub@technowolves.org.

This form is due September 5 at 11:59pm.

If you are a returning student, please check this box if any of the following contact information has changed from last year.

Name:

Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email:

Home Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Cell Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Date of Birth:

Date

School:

Year of Graduation:

Parent Name:

Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email:

example@example.com

Cell Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Employer/Profession:

Additional skills/interests:

Would like to Help with Team

Parent Name:

Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email:

example@example.com

Cell Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Employer/Profession:

Additional skills/interests:

Would Like to Help with Team

Name:

Primary Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Name of Insurance Company:

Insurance Company Phone #:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Policy Holder Name:

Policy number:

Group number:

Allergies:

Chronic or Recurring Illness:

Medications:

Licensed Physician:

Primary Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Name of Dentist:

Primary Phone:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Preferred Diet:

Authorization
This health history form, including prior pages, is correct and accurately reflects the health status of my student to whom it pertains. I hereby grant permission to provide routine health care, administer prescribed medications, and seek emergency medical attention for my son or daughter. I agree to the release of any records necessary for insurance purposes. I give permission to the Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club (TWRBC) to arrange necessary related transportation for my child. In the event that the contact(s) listed above or I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby give permission to the adult mentor selected by the team to secure and administer treatment, including but not limited to hospitalization for the person named above.

Release
There are inherent risks in participating in team events, including risks in the construction of robots, in working with electrical connections, traveling to and from events, and participating in public competition. These risks also include the risk of bodily harm (including, without limitation, death or similar traumatic injury) and property damage or loss. Being fully cognizant of the risks of participating in an event, I hereby accept those risks. Except to the extent due to gross negligence or willful misconduct of Techno Wolves Robotics Booster Club (TWRBC) and the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, I HEREBY WAIVE AND RELEASE ANY CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION which I may now or hereafter have against the TWRBC arising in connection with my participation in any team event, presentations by the Techno Wolves at any time during the year and/or arising from unofficial FIRST programs and events offered by others. I hold harmless the TWRBC, against all claims resulting from such participation, including, without limitation, bodily injury, claims for compensation, defamation, invasion of privacy, or other infringements or violations of any personal or property rights whatsoever. I understand that this form involves a release of legal rights.

Parent/Guardian Signature:

For students under the age of eighteen (18) years listed above: "I hereby consent and agree to the above as the child of the Parent/Legal Guardian whose signature appears above, in which case 'I', 'me' and 'my' as used herein shall refer to the said minor."

Personal Information
The Techno Wolves will need to share personal information with other members of the team (i.e cell phone numbers and email addresses). This information needs to be shared when attending activities or exchanging information among team members.

Please check ALL THAT APPLY below:

I give permission to Techno Wolves to share my STUDENT’S cell phone number and email address with members of the team.I DO NOT give permission to Techno Wolves to share my STUDENT’S cell phone number and email address with members of the team.I give permission to Techno Wolves to share the PARENT’S or GUARDIAN’S cell phone number and email address with members of the team.I DO NOT give permission to Techno Wolves to share the PARENT’S or GUARDIAN’S cell phone number and email address with members of the team.

Photo Release
The Techno Wolves and associated organizations (e.g. sponsors) may use photographs, videos, or other media publications to promote the team throughout the season. These publications may be used on the team website, newsletters, presentations, or any other form of publication created by the team and acquainted organizations. They may also be used by the news media providing coverage of the team aired on television.

If you are not eighteen (18) years of age, your parent/guardian must sign the following:
"I hereby grant permission to Techno Wolves, its associated organizations, and news media to take and publish photographs and videos of my child, as well as insert and/or reference them in presentations. Furthermore, I authorize the use of such media without inspecting or approving the finished media project."

I ALLOW my child to use social media, and to be featured in social and print media, as part of Techno Wolves.

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Transportation
Throughout the season, the Techno Wolves will have team meetings and events that may require your child to have an alternate mode of transportation to be present at one of these events, Some events, such as the FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX, require commercial transportation (travel bus, plane, etc.). If the parent/guardian or the student has prearranged another mode of transportation, a signed notice of acceptance must be provided to the team by the parent/guardian.

Students driving themselves to an event must arrive on time at the start of the event and cannot leave the event early without authorization of the coaches or agreement prior to the event.

Please check ALL THAT APPLY below:

I allow my child to ride with an adult mentor of the team.I allow my child to ride with a fellow student member of the team to local events ONLY.I allow my child to drive themselves to team events.I DO NOT allow my child to ride with an adult mentor of the team or other student members of the team and will provide my own timely transportation.

Autonomy at Team Activities
Techno Wolves may attend activities requiring out-of-town or out-of-state travel that may or may not require an overnight stay in a hotel. Hotel stays will consist of multiple students of the same gender per room with/without adult supervision in the room.

I DO allow my child to stay in a hotel room without adult supervision in the room.I DO NOT allow my child to stay in a hotel room without adult supervision in the room.

The following activities require adult mentor permission prior to performing the activity. Please check ALL THAT APPLY below:

I allow my child to walk within a venue at which the team is attending an event without adult supervision BUT with a minimum of at least two members.I allow my child to walk or travel to a store, restaurant, and/or hotel near a team event with adult supervision.

Techno Wolves team members may need to operate power tools, which is supervised by the adult mentors based on student skill level. Members must adhere to team safety protocols, such as wearing closed-toed shoes and safety glasses at all times and undergoing required safety training.

Please check ALL THAT APPLY below:

I allow my child to operate hand tools (hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, files, etc.)I allow my child to operate power hand tools (drills, saber/jigsaws, circular saw, etc.)I allow my child to operate tabletop power tools (chop saw, band saw, drill press, etc.)I allow my child to operate machine tools (mills, welders, plasma cutter, power press brake/shear, etc.)

Additional Release
The mentors cannot be held liable for any action taken by your child without permission or against adult advice. If your child fails to ask permission for activities, violates team rules, or ignores the guidance of the team leadership or mentors, the parent/guardian will be notified and the child may be returned home at the parent's/guardian's expense, subject to FIRST Youth Protection Program guidelines.

Have you been a part of any of the FIRST programs? (Select all that apply)

FLL Jr.FLLFTCFRC

Team/Year(s):

References
In order to become a new member of Techno Wolves, please provide two references with your application. At this time, you do not need to provide letters of recommendation, but your references below may be contacted to provide insight as to your character and qualities you can contribute to the team. One should be a teacher, and one can be from any non-family member who is part of the community. Returning members do not need to provide these.

Name:

Email:

example@example.com

Phone, if known:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Name:

Email:

example@example.com

Phone, if known:

Please enter a valid phone number.

Write-up
To become a member of Techno Wolves, you also have to submit a write-up of why you would like to join the team. This write-up must not exceed 500 words. Please take your time and pay attention to the quality of your work (i.e. make sure it is reviewed and typed, free of grammatical and spelling errors, and demonstrates creativity). Make sure to include any prior leadership experience in the school, community, etc. and any experience that may be transferable to working with an FRC team. Upload your write-up below or email to boosterclub@technowolves.org. Returning members do not have to submit a write-up.

Acceptable Use Form
Techno Wolves provides its members with the ability to access its services/tools via either their own devices or through Techno Wolves property. These services are sometimes needed to allow members to accomplish tasks as a requirement to be part of the team.

These services include, but are not limited to:

Internet
Communication (e.g. Email, Google Chat, Slack, Discord)
Productivity Tools (e.g. Google Drive, Trello)
Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)
Software (e.g. SolidWorks, GitHub)

Members may not be permitted to use these services for inappropriate uses. Such uses include:

Attempting to change configurations without consent
Using language that promotes bullying or hurting others' feelings
Placing a virus or intentionally disrupting others' network performance
Accessing inappropriate materials (e.g. gambling, pornography)
Posting anything detrimental to Techno Wolves and others' reputation

In addition, members may not use Techno Wolves services for too much personal or leisure time, such as playing games. This is done to ensure members stay focused on the team's tasks and the team does not surpass its monthly internet usage allowance.

My parent and I have read the policies outlined above and have included our signatures below to promise I will use Techno Wolves services appropriately.

Student Signature:

Date:

Date

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date

Statement of Commitment
I have read the entire application with my parent/guardian and understand what is expected of my parent/guardian and I in order to participate as a member of Techno Wolves.

Student Signature:

Date:

Date

Parent/Guardian Signature:

Date:

Date

Term
Although the Techno Wolves 2025-2026 season formally starts on June 1, 2025 and ends May 31, 2026, this application – including the consent, release, and permissions – become effective on the date of signing this document and is valid for one year unless either a revised consent form is received, a written request to withdraw from the team is received, and/or the student is removed from the team.

Team Application 2025-2026

Applicant information

Student Contact

Parent/Guardian Contact

Parent Guardian #1:

Parent/Guardian #2:

Emergency Contact

Health Information

Insurance

History

Additional Information

Permissions

Mentor Supervision

Use of Equipment

Student Assessment

Miscellaneous

Educator Reference #1

Reference #2: