Volume 2018-05| May 2018
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter
Just over 100 days until we kickoff the season!
We hope you've saved 15 September , 20 October and 27 October on your calendars to ensure you'll be part of making the 2018 competition successful.
And don't forget to save the date of the Regional Competition on 8 and 9 December.
2018 Competition - Save the Dates!
Middle and High Schools Signed Up for 2018
1.       Abraham Lincoln High School - Denver
2.       Aurora Frontier P-8 - Aurora
3.       Aurora Quest - Aurora
4.       Bishop Machebeuf High School - Denver Private
5.       Broomfield High School - Boulder Valley
6.       Columbine Middle School - Montrose
7.       Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design - Denver
8.       DSST Byers - Denver
9.       East Middle School - Aurora
10.   Gateway High School - Aurora
11.   Heath Middle School - Greeley
12.   Monarch High School - Boulder Valley
13.   Montrose High School NJROTC * - Montrose
14.   Mrachek Middle School - Aurora
15.   New Vista High School - Boulder Valley
16.   Sacred Heart of Jesus School* - Boulder Private
17.   St Mary’s Academy Middle School - Englewood Private
18.   Skinner Middle School - Denver
19.   Skyline High School - St. Vrain Valley
20.   Thomas Jefferson High School - Denver
21.   West Middle School - Cherry Creek
22.   Westgate Community School - Adams 12
23.   Westminster High School * - Westminster

* Rookie Teams in 2018

If you know a school that is interested in competing and filling one of the remaining 5 school slots, please ask the teacher to send an email to: Linda.King@bestinc.org.
Schedule
  • Denver Teacher / Mentor Institute Workshop: 17-19 July at MSU Denver
  • Kickoff: 15 September at TBD
  • Practice Day: 20 October at TBD
  • Game Day: 27 October at MSU Denver
  • Regional Championship: 8-9 December at MSU Denver

We are looking for facilities for both the 15 September and 20 October events. Please reply to this email if you know of a facility with a large room similar to a gym that might be available.
Click the above CURRENT EVENTS Game Logo to view the 90 second game teaser video.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Monday Kit Team Volunteers Wanted
We are already working most Monday's at 10 AM at our workshop located at 781 Vallejo in Denver.
No experience needed and extra hands are always helpful.
Please email Carolyn Bauer at cbauer@rmbest.org if you are interested in working on the Monday Kit Team to get on the email list.

Game Field Volunteers Wanted
We need volunteers this summer to help with the 2018 Current Events Game Field:
  1. Help cut materials
  2. Build the game field components,
  3. Paint the field components,
  4. Collect game pieces for the 2018 game.

Please email Linda King at Linda.King@bestinc.org if you want to help the game field team. 

Main requirement – Ability to keep a secret! The game and field are confidential until the game reveal at Kickoff in September. We'll match your skills to the tasks.

Below is the Game Field schedule. Many tasks have flexible schedules or are on weekends.
  • Early July: Cut Day (usually 4-8 hours on one day; power tool skills are helpful, but we also need help organizing the pieces into kits for different builders)
  • July-August: Builders needed to build one or more field pieces. We match the game field piece to each builder’s space, tools, and abilities).
  • August: Assemblers needed at the Workshop to assemble the game field. 
  • July-September: Collectors needed to bring in about 70 game pieces that are common household recycling items.
  • September: Painters to paint the game field and the game pieces.

We ALSO have openings on our Steering Team planning our 2018 season and on our Board of Directors growing our organization.
2017 Volunteer
2017 Volunteer
2017 Game Day East HS
Example Game Field from 2017
Reaching Out in Colorado - Students Enjoy the Day at Elitch Gardens
Science Day at Elitch Gardens on 22 May 2018 had BEST represented by two hubs: Rocky Mountain BEST and Front Range BEST. 

A special shout out goes to the robotics team from Abraham Lincoln High School and the former student with Front Range BEST who graduated this year! 

Students were able to talk to teachers, parents, and students about BEST. Several students drove the robots around the area, and one school signed up for the 2018 game. Hooray!! Nothing like a beautiful day at the park promoting BEST!

A tip of the hat goes to Kendra O’Brien and Lisa Miller at Elitch Gardens for organizing the event at the park.
2018 Elitches Outreach Lincoln
2018 Elitches Outreach
Great Elitch Offer for a Great Cause! NOW Available
Help us obtain a donation to support our efforts to bring a robotics competition that is FREE to schools AND enjoy Elitch Gardens at a great discount!!

Season Pass ONLY $69.99! Two Parks, One Price. Pays for itself in just Two visits.
  • FREE Parking all season.
  • Exclusive Money Saving Coupon Book, over $300 in savings!
  • Unlimited Theme and Water Park visits.
  • Fright Fest in October
  • Early Entry into Water Park
  • Lowest Price Available! Limited Time Offer!
Discount Daily Ticket Prices also available.
Click Elitch Gardens Graphic to access the RM BEST Discount website to Purchase, Print and Play.
Other Ways to Participate by Donating
Donations 
You can donate ANYTIME at  Rocky Mountain BEST at ColoradoGives.org. 
Benevity
If  your company has gift matching through Benevity, Rocky Mountain BEST is one of the eligible non-profit organizations. Please check with your company about gift matching!
Kroger Gift Card
If you have a Rocky Mountain BEST King Soopers/City Market Gift Card, Kroger donates 5% of EVERY gift card purchase at any Kroger Store -- including card refills -- to Rocky Mountain BEST... all at no cost to you -- FOREVER! In 2017, we received over $3800 thanks to all the card users.  Contact Lois at lwalton@rmbest.org   to make arrangements to purchase a card and help increase the value we received. 
Amazon Smile
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rocky Mountain BEST whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Wondering what to do with your used car or truck? 
Donating your old vehicle to ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used car or truck will make a big difference in supporting ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST.
Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our SIMPLE ON LINE FORM or call 1-866-628-2277 and we'll take care of the rest. We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed, and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you. 
Rocky Mountain BEST Robotics | 303-351-BEST (303-351-2378)
Build a robot in six weeks;
inspire a youth for a lifetime
Don't miss out making it possible!