What to pack for a Maryland FRC competition weekend

A FIRST Robotics Competition weekend is part engineering sprint, part travelling production, and part team community. Students may spend long hours in a busy pit, move between inspection, scouting and matches, and solve problems with the tools and spares they brought from home. A carefully prepared kit helps the team concentrate on the robot and the people around it. Learn more about Friendsofthelibrary Chattanooga.com.

For Australian teams travelling to Maryland, packing requires a little extra planning. Flights, airline battery rules, unfamiliar power outlets, weather, accommodation and the size of the venue can all affect what belongs in checked luggage, carry-on bags or the team’s pit crate. The most useful approach is to separate essential competition equipment from personal comfort items and documents.

Start with the event requirements

Before packing, read the official event information, team updates and current FIRST rules. Match schedules, load-in times, venue security arrangements and pit dimensions can change the practical meaning of “essential”. A tool that is permitted in a workshop may need special handling at an airport or may be unsuitable for a venue with restricted bags.

Create a shared digital checklist with a named owner for every category: robot, electrical, programming, safety, scouting, media, travel and welfare. Keep copies of team registration details, consent forms, emergency contacts, accommodation information and travel insurance in a secure cloud folder, while carrying printed backups in a waterproof document wallet.

Australian teams should confirm passport validity, United States entry requirements and insurance details well before departure. For minors, retain parental consent documents, medication instructions and emergency authorisations according to the team’s policies. If adult mentors are travelling with young people, check that supervision arrangements and relevant Working with Children requirements are current for the Australian state or territory where the team is based.

Pack the robot and critical spares

The robot should travel in a secure crate or transport frame that protects bumpers, wiring, mechanisms and sensors from impact. Photograph the robot before packing, label removable assemblies and include a simple reassembly diagram. A printed robot inventory can save time when several crates arrive together in a crowded loading area.

Critical spares should reflect the robot’s failure points rather than every component in the workshop. Bring duplicate motors, motor controllers, fuses, connectors, fasteners, belts, chains, bearings, wheels, gears, pneumatic fittings and commonly damaged structural parts. Include spare batteries and charging equipment that comply with FIRST rules and airline restrictions. Never place lithium batteries in checked baggage unless the airline and applicable aviation rules explicitly allow it; many battery types must travel in carry-on luggage with protected terminals.

Pack labelled bags of nuts, bolts, washers and spacers in a compact organiser. Keep a small “match-critical” box separate from the main crate so the drive team can access it quickly between rounds. A laptop with the current code, a tested backup image and offline copies of essential documentation can prevent a software issue from becoming a competition-ending delay.

Build a practical pit tool kit

The pit crew needs tools that are dependable, familiar and easy to find. A useful kit may include metric and imperial hex keys, spanners, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, crimpers, a torque tool, measuring tools, a multimeter, a soldering station if permitted, heat-shrink tubing, cable ties, electrical tape and thread-locking compound. Add eye protection, gloves, hearing protection and a first-aid kit suitable for minor workshop incidents.

Label every tool with the team name and use a sign-out tray or shadow board. This reduces losses when neighbouring teams lend equipment during repairs. Pack consumables in resealable containers, and place liquids, adhesives and aerosols in accordance with venue and airline rules. A compact cleaning kit with rags, brushes, wipes and a small rubbish bag keeps the pit safer and more professional.

Australian teams often buy last-minute hardware from Bunnings, electronics from Jaycar or stationery from Officeworks. Those familiar local options will not be available in Maryland, and American stores may use different product sizes, brands and opening hours. Make the final purchase at home, and verify unusual fittings before departure rather than assuming a quick replacement will be easy to find near the venue.

Prepare for power, charging and connectivity

The United States uses approximately 120-volt power and Type A or B outlets, while Australia uses 230 volts and Type I plugs. Do not rely on a simple plug adaptor for equipment that is not dual-voltage. Check every charger’s input range, pack approved travel adaptors and use suitable power boards or transformers only when their ratings match the equipment. A labelled charging station can prevent a team from unplugging the wrong device during a busy repair.

Bring power banks for phones, spare charging cables, extension leads approved for the venue and cable covers where needed. Keep batteries organised by charge status and follow the event’s directions for charging areas. Teams should also confirm whether venue Wi-Fi is reliable, since a small mobile hotspot or offline copies of scouting forms and code may be valuable.

Time zones and roaming can create avoidable confusion for travellers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth. Download maps, airline details and accommodation information before flying. Set devices to Maryland time after arrival, and keep an agreed communication channel for mentors, students and the person responsible for transport.

Plan clothing, food and personal comfort

Competition halls can feel cold near entrances and warm around crowded pits, so pack layers rather than one heavy coat. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are essential, along with spare socks, work trousers, team shirts, a rain jacket and clothing suitable for walking outdoors. Maryland weather can shift quickly, particularly during spring and autumn, so a compact umbrella and weatherproof bag cover are sensible additions.

Long days make hydration and reliable food important. Bring a refillable water bottle, permitted snacks, electrolyte sachets and any dietary supplies that may be difficult to source locally. Clearly label allergies and medication, and keep prescriptions in original packaging with copies of instructions. Australian everyday habits such as carrying a reusable bottle and planning a packed lunch are especially useful when meal breaks are short or nearby food outlets are crowded.

Pack earplugs, sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, tissues and a small laundry bag. A few quiet items, such as a paperback, travel game or downloaded entertainment, help students rest between demanding sessions. Sleep should be treated as part of the competition plan: pack an eye mask, familiar toiletries and comfortable clothes so the team can recover properly at the hotel.

Carry documents, team identity and media gear

A dedicated document folder should contain passports, tickets, accommodation details, insurance information, emergency contacts, medication notes, consent forms and copies of event paperwork. Keep one set with the lead mentor and another secure digital set accessible to authorised adults. Include a list of students, mentors and room allocations, but protect personal information and avoid displaying sensitive details in the pit.

Team identity items can improve communication in a large venue. Pack shirts, name badges, banners, pit signage, business cards and a small supply of safety pins or fabric tape. Avoid oversized displays that are difficult to transport or conflict with venue rules. A simple team story, sponsor list and robot summary helps students speak confidently with judges, volunteers and other teams.

A phone or camera, spare memory cards and a compact tripod can document build work, matches and outreach. Get appropriate permissions before recording or publishing identifiable images of young people. Keep sponsor logos accurate and save a few captions or facts offline, so the communications student can share updates without interrupting pit operations.

Add tools for teamwork and outreach

A strong competition kit supports people as well as machinery. Pack notebooks, clipboards, pens, permanent markers, sticky notes, printed scouting sheets and a whiteboard or laminated planning board. Include a roster showing who is assigned to driving, scouting, pit repair, strategy, meals and rest. Rotations prevent a few students from carrying every responsibility.

Teams can also bring a short portfolio, engineering notebook access and examples of community outreach. If sponsorship or fundraising is part of the trip, keep a concise budget, receipts and contact list. Guidance on grant writing tips can help teams plan future travel and equipment costs after the event, especially when a competition weekend exposes gaps in the current budget.

Libraries and community groups can be useful partners for outreach resources, printing and STEM engagement. A team researching programme ideas might review library community resources for inspiration, while remembering that every activity should be adapted to its own school, club and local community. In Australia, this could mean working with a council library, Scouts group or neighbourhood makerspace.

Check the load before leaving

Perform a final packing rehearsal several days before departure. Weigh crates, photograph their contents, test the robot after transport simulation and confirm that every charger, battery and tool has an assigned location. Separate items that must stay with passengers from those going into freight or checked baggage.

At the airport, declare equipment when required and keep fragile electronics, documents, medication and permitted batteries accessible. After arriving in Maryland, inspect crates before the first event session and report damage immediately. A quick inventory at the hotel can reveal a missing adaptor or tool while there is still time to replace it.

On competition morning, the team should arrive with a compact day bag rather than carrying the entire workshop. That bag can hold water, snacks, notebook, phone charger, safety glasses, team schedule, basic tools and personal medication. The full checklist belongs with the pit lead, who can coordinate replenishment without sending everyone back to the hotel.

Use this packing method for the next Maryland FRC event, assign students ownership of each checklist category and run a timed rehearsal before travel. A prepared team arrives ready to build, compete, support other teams and enjoy the learning that makes a FIRST weekend worthwhile.