2022 FIRST Robotics Competition
MONTEREY BAY REGIONAL
March 23-26, 2022 | Seaside, CA
SEASIDE HIGH SCHOOL | 2200 Noche Buena St.
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The Monterey Bay Regional
Dubbed a varsity Sport for the Mind,™ FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.
Under strict rules, limited resources and time constraints, teams of high school students raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, build and program a robot to compete. It’s as close to “real world” engineering as a student can get.
Each year this multinational competition reaches nearly 100,000 students in competitions held across the world. With the FRC growth in Monterey County, Monterey Bay was a natural, and beautiful, location to launch a competition. The Monterey community is excited to bring back the FIRST Monterey Bay Regional! This year we welcome a team from Turkey to compete with the our California teams to vie for a spot at the FIRST World Championship in April.
We are excited to be planning a return to an in-person FIRST Robotics Competition event for the 2021-2022 season!
Our goal is to offer a traditional FIRST Robotics Competition in-person, three-day event. See our COVID-19 Updates below for details.
Watch the FUN!
Fri 3/25 & Sat 3/26
The Monterey Bay Regional is a high-energy, high-tech spectator sporting event where teams, professionals and young people together solve an engineering design problem in an intense and competitive way. The program is life-changing, career-molding and a lot of fun.
In a pre-pandemic world, we invite you to experience the excitement of this exciting competition, tour the “pits” to visit with teams and robots, and cheer on your favorite team. In the 2022 season, we invite you to checkout the fun online via our live broadcast on March 25 and March 26 from 8:30am – 6pm.
Chceckout the Monterey Bay Regional, where teams compete and collaborate with one another exhibiting the core values of FIRST – Coopertition® and Gracious Professionalism®. You will surely be amazed and inspired by our FIRST Robotics Community!
RAPID REACT, part of the 2022 season:
FIRST FORWARD, presented by Qualcomm
Transportation drives us forward – impacting economies, bridging cultures, and making us all more globally interconnected.
FIRST Robotics Competition teams will be challenged to reimagine the future of safe, high-speed travel and lightning-fast deliveries through innovative engineering, creative thinking, and teamwork in
2022 RAPID REACT presented by The Boeing Company.
Resources for Teams
February 28, 2022 – To align with the updated public health order from the state of California for indoor events, the 2022 FIRST Monterey Bay Regional COVID-19 Policies and Plan has been revised. The most notable change is that attendees must show proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 OR present a negative COVID-19 test result. Please review the plan for the full details and also check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) tab for further clarifications. With the regional around the corner this will likely be the final policy for the event – hopefully! See you all soon at the 2022 Monterey Bay Regional.
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February 5, 2022 – To comply with the latest California state public health order for the state of California for indoor events and have the safest event possible, we will follow the 2022 FIRST Monterey Bay Regional COVID-19 Policies and Plan. Please review the plan in detail to make advance preparations (no spectators, vaccinations, masking, and more) for your team to attend the event. We look forward to hosting you and to a fun event for all!
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January 6, 2022 – FIRST California is closely monitoring COVID and its potential impact to the FIRST community. At this point we are moving forward with plans to provide our usual in-person, 3-day competition.
As the pandemic evolves, we are continuing to develop plans on how to best keep our community safe while also offering an impactful FIRST experience. We have not yet determined final policies that may affect spectator attendance or team size limits, though our goal is to not limit team attendance. This will be based on county or venue-specific COVID guidelines leading up the FRC Regional.
Please know we remain committed to delivering our programs to as many students as possible, as safely as possible.
Other plans to ensure a safe event may include implementing modifications such as the use of masks, vaccination and/or negative COVID test, health screening, event scaling, social distancing, event formatting, contract tracing and other precautions as determined by local conditions and regulations.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate the year ahead together.
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September 16, 2021 – We are excited to be planning a return to an in-person FIRST Robotics Competition event for the 2021-22 season. Our goal is to offer a traditional FIRST Robotics Competition in-person, three-day event.
With a focus on delivering FIRST to students as safely as possible, we will be looking at the ability to implement modifications such as the use of masks, health screening, event scaling, social distancing, event formatting, and other precautions as determined by local conditions and regulations. We will post our plan once we get closer to the start of the event as conditions are changing so frequently.
While we’re looking forward to seeing in-person competition and celebration, we are ready to adjust plans if needed. Plans B and C are in the works should they be needed, which could include shorter, smaller events, and, if needed, remote participation activities like what we did in the 2021 season.
We thank you for your continued support for our mission as we navigate the season together!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 |
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6:00PM-8:00PM | 5 Team Reps Load In and Set Up Pits |
THURSDAY, MARCH 24 |
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7:45AM | 5 Team Reps Load In |
8:30AM | Pits, Machine Shop, Registration and Inspection Open |
9:00AM-11:00AM | Driver’s Meeting, Field Open for Measurement & Calibration |
11:00AM-12:00PM | Lunch |
12:00PM-6:30PM | Practice Matches |
8:00PM | Pits and Machine Shop Close |
FRIDAY, MARCH 25* |
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8:00AM | Pits and Machine Shop Open |
8:30AM-9:00AM | Opening Ceremonies |
9:00AM-12:00PM | Qualification Matches |
12:00PM-1:00PM | Lunch |
1:00PM-5:45PM | Qualification Matches |
5:45PM-6:15PM | Awards Ceremony |
6:30PM | Pits and Machine Shop Close immediately following Awards Ceremony |
SATURDAY, MARCH 26* |
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8:00AM | Pits and Machine Shop Open |
8:30AM-9:00AM | Opening Ceremonies |
9:00AM-12:15PM | Qualification Matches |
12:15PM-12:30PM | Alliance Selections |
12:30PM-1:30PM | Lunch |
1:30PM-4:30PM | Playoff Matches |
4:30PM-6:00PM | Awards Ceremony |
6:30PM | Pits Close |
*Schedule subject to change. Times are estimated based on flow of rounds. Please see the Welcome Attendants onsite for updated information.
WhenWed 3/23, 6pm-8pm Thurs 3/24, 7:45am |
WhereSeaside High School |
Details
Refer to the load in map below, where you may park at the unload location and bring your belongings to your pit. It’s a long load-in path, so please bring your dollies, robot carts and tarps if it rains. Please be respectful of the parking and event staff to load-in your items as efficient and safely as possible.
Please ensure your team is in proper safety attire (safety glasses, closed-toe shoes). Up to 5 team reps (which must include 1 adult) will be allowed into the pit area to setup. The team may have additional team members helping with unloading your vehicles/trailer, but again only 5 members are allowed in the pit.
Per the Venue Rules designed for your safety, please do not bring compressed gas tanks. Please ensure that all of your items fit in your designated pit area. For any questions on what to bring to inspection, see Inspection and Eligibility Rules.
Load In Map
Parking
After unloading, please park in a parking lot designated as General Parking on the map above. Ensure you park on pavement and avoid parking on the sand, which may casue your vehicle to get stuck!
Trailer parking is available in the location designated on the map. Although there will be overnight security and cameras in that location, you are still advised to park at your own risk.
Built on top of a sand dune with spectacular views of Monterey Bay, Seaside High School is the location of the FIRST Monterey Bay Regional.
Parking
Seaside High has numerous parking lots on its campus. Please note that you must park on pavement and avoid parking on the sand, which may cause your vehicle to get stuck! Besides parking at Seaside High there is also street parking along Noche Buena St. in the adjacent neighborhood. To reduce your environmental footprint in this beautiful area, please carpool!
Download the parking map here.
Campus Map
FIRST will spread across the lovely Seaside High School campus. We ask that you kindly exhibit Gracious Professionalism and pick up your trash so it does not blow into the marvelous Monterey Bay!
Site Restrictions
We want you to have fun, but also stay safe. Therefore, please mind these site restrictions for our safety and to ensure the event is fun for all.
- Teams may only work in designated areas, including pit area, while queued for a match, and practice field areas where space permits
- Do not bring skateboards, hoverboards, drones, bottled gas tanks (e.g. hellium), noise devices/makers, or walkie-talkies
- Do not arrange for additional utilities (power, internet access, phone lines, etc.)
- Do not sell stuff. This includes food, hats, shirts, any promotional products, or raffle tickets.
- Do not invite or bring live bands to play in the audience.
- Hang flags/banners with care. Duct tape or other tape that may damage walls/facilties is not permitted.
- No cooking is permitted inside or outside the venue. This includes, BBQ’s, crock pots, or hot plates.
Available Thursday to Saturday, food for purchase is available at concessions throughout the day and food trucks during lunchtime. There is also a variety of restaurants within a 15min walk from Seaside High School.
Teams are welcome to bring their own food. Food must be stored in the team’s picnic area in the courtyard. No food is permited indoors.
Do I need a booster to be “fully vaccinated” for COVID-19?
Booster shots are NOT required by the U.S. Center for Disease Control to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19. You are fully COVID-19 vaccinated > 2 weeks after a 2-dose series OR > 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
What is needed to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination?
The following are acceptable as proof of vaccination (i) the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) vaccination card, which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered, or similar documentation issued by another foreign governmental jurisdiction, (ii) an electronic or printed photo of a vaccination card (iii) a personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California and available by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov or similar documentation issued by another State, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction.
California residents may show your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, which is a QR code widely accepted in the State of California.
What type of COVID-19 test and result is needed in place of vaccination?
A COVID-19 test must be done within 1 day for an antigen test or within 2 days for a PCR test before entry to the event. Acceptable proof includes a printed document from a test provider or laboratory, OR an electronic test result displayed on a phone or other device from a test provider or laboratory.
Negative COVID-19 test information must include the person’s name, type of test performed, and negative test result. Self-attestation of an over-the-counter test will not be accepted.
Is a COVID-19 test required each day of the event?
Attendence on March 24, March 25 and March 26 meets the criteria for a “mega-event”. Therefore, the Monterey Bay Regional is a 3-day mega-event, so attendees providing negative COVID-19 test results must provide ONLY ONE TEST RESULT FOR THE WHOLE EVENT. You must present the negative test result upon your inital arrival to the event.
Do I need to show COVID vaccination proof or negative test result onsite at the event or in advance?
All attendees (teams and volunteers) must bring your proof of vaccination or negative test result to the event on your first day of attending the regional. Adults are also required to show a photo ID with their vaccination proof.
If you are a volunteer, please DO NOT send vacccination proof to your Volunteer Coordinator, as volunteers will also provide vaccine proof or negative test result onsite at the event.
How do team members check-in?
One of the team’s lead mentor must bring 2 paper copies of their team roster, one for entry wristbands and another for pit admin. To get an entry wristband, each person on the roster must show their proof of vaccination or negative test, and adults must show a photo ID.
Adult team lead mentors will NOT receive wristbands for their entire team, as each person’s vaccination or negative test must be verified individually by event staff. This process is required by the state of California and we appreciate your patience and Gracious Professionalism to get everyone into the venue timely.
As Wednesday is not under the “mega-event” criteria, teams do not require a wristband for entry to load-in their pit. However, it is recommended that team members bring vaccine/test proof on Wednesday to get their wristbands for the weekend to ease lines on Thursday morning.
Must the whole team be present to enter the event?
Not all team members must be present to enter the venue together. However, alead mentor must be the first to arrive onsite with the team roster that lists those who are permited to enter. If team members arrive after the lead mentor, then they must check in at the entrance and staff will have the provided team roster to verify people individually.
Is there a maximum number of team members and mentors who can attend?
Besides the designated hours for team load-in on Thursday evening and Friday morning, there will be no team member or mentor limit. Team members and mentors will be permitted to attend ONLY if they are on the FIRST roster for the team, who is competing at the event. Please ensure your lead mentor invites all youth members and mentors from their FIRST dashboard.
What is the team pit size and will there be limited number of team members in pits?
Team pit size is 8’x10′. Due to COVID precautions and a smaller pit size, there will be a maximum of 7 people (includes both students and mentors) permitted in your pit. It is recommended that you set up a team area outside on Seaside High School’s beautiful campus.
There are two pit locations. Pit A is adjacent to the competition gym. Pit A pits are 10′ wide by 8′ deep and teams with numbers less than 4200 are in Pit A. Pit B is in a separate building from the competition gym. Pit B pits are 8′ wide by 10′ deep and team with numbers greater than 4200 are in Pit B.
Do I have to wear a face mask?
Yes, face masks are REQUIRED, even if the county/state does not require them. As this is an international event, we will take a conservative approach to safety in this pandemic. As such, masks are required for all attendees.
Masks must be worn while indoors except when actively eating or drinking. Masks must also be worn properly with both the nose and mouth covered.
Can I wear a cloth mask?
Cloth masks, along with face shields, bandanas, single-layer gaiters and masks with exhalation valves worn alone are prohibited.
Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) are REQUIRED for each attendee. Teams must bring an adequate supply of face masks for their members.
Will safety glasses be available to borrow at the event?
Teams (students and mentors) are required to bring their own personal safety glasses, as there will be NO on-site safety glasses to borrow. Each team should bring their own safety glass cleaning supplies; anti-fog spray is also recommended.
Can we bring team food to the regional?
Yes, outside food is permitted on the Seaside campus, but not permitted inside the competition gym or pit gyms. Food for purchase is available at concessions, and at lunchtime food trucks will be outside the venue.
Are spectators allowed to come to the event?
To maximize the number of FIRST students to participate at the robotics competition and maximize space for them to socially distance, spectators are NOT PERMITTED.
Attendees permitted are youth members, mentors and volunteers registered with FIRST to compete or volunteer at the 2022 Monterey Bay Regional. Team Lead Mentors are responsible to bring a team roster, which will be checked to give team members entrance wristbands.
Can a team supporter/parent drop off students/food/supplies to the event for the team?
Seaside High School is an open campus, so team supporters may be outside only. People not on the FIRST team roster will NOT receive a wristband to go inside the competition gym or pit gyms.
Is there a parking fee?
There are no parking fees at Seaside High School. Ensure you park on the pavement only. Seaside is on a sand dune often requiring vehicles parking off pavement to be towed out.
Is there trailer parking?
Refer to the Seaside campus map that has designated trailer parking. There are cameras in that location and there will be overnight security. However, park at your own risk and ensure that you have the trailer secure and wheels locked.
Welcome to the 2022 FIRST Robotics Competition Kick-Off of
RAPID REACT, presented by the Boeing Company!
Kick-off in the Monterey area is graciously hosted at Chartwell School in Seaside on January 8, 2022. This unique year there will be no broadcast, only a kit pickup. See detailed email instructions that include a campus map and kit pickup times from your Kick-off Coordinator.
Worldwide Broadcast
- Please watch with your team on your devices, in your own homes or build spaces.
- The preshow begins at 8:30am PT on FIRSTtv and the Kick-off broadcast begins at 9:00am PT.
- Note, some schools do not allow TwitchTV, so please check in advance.
Kit Distribution Information
- Make sure you print and bring your team rosters from your FIRST Dashboard. Only Lead mentors 1 and 2 have access to this document, but any adult with the team may check in.
- All teams must first register to receive their documents prior to obtaining their kit.
- Minors cannot sign for the kit, only an adult with a photo ID.
- You can choose to have a “Surrogate” team pick up your kit, if you provided a surrogate letter by January 3rd, 2022 per the FIRST Surrogate Kit Pick-up information.
- It is highly recommended to bring a small folding cart with you, to help transport your kit.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors!


WAYS TO SPONSOR
SUPPORT THE MONTEREY BAY REGIONAL
To discuss sponsorship opportunities and benefits of sponsorship, please contact FIRST Regional Director, Theresa Bateman directly or complete the Contact Form below.
FIRST IS FUELED BY VOLUNTEERS
For over 30 years, FIRST volunteers have fueled the mission by inspiring millions of young people to reach for the stars. Volunteers are part of a global support system built to spark curiosity and encourage students to launch their dreams. Together, we’re inspiring the next generation of change-makers!
Volunteer Opportunities!
Non-Technical and Technical Roles Available
EXAMPLES OF ROLES
Safety Manager, Robot Inspector, Field Reset/Repair, Volunteer Registration, Practice Field Attendant, Spare Parts Attendant and more!
APPLY TO VOLUNTEER
- Create an account in the FIRST Dashboard – click here to apply.
- Click the Volunteer Registration tab & choose ‘Volunteer at an Event’.
- Filter events by location/ program and select Monterey Bay Regional.
- Choose up to five roles and apply.
- Complete your required youth protection background screening (US & Canada).
You will receive an email from your local event coordinator if you are assigned to a volunteer role.
LET’S CONNECT!
MONTEREY BAY REGIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA