submitted by Manchester First Robotics Teams #6081 & #11193

When Manchester Kiwanis dissolved, a small group continued to meet to organize the Manchester Canoe/Kayak Race (many still volunteer the day of the event). A few years ago, that group began looking for a younger group to take over organizing the race with new energy. The middle and high school FIRST Robotics Teams of Manchester stepped up to the opportunity.

The robotics team originally thought the timing of this race would work perfectly with their competition season and give some of the team members a good learning experience. However, the first year they organized the race was also the first year they made it to the World Competition. This put a huge strain on the team and families on many levels. There were many overlaps of organizing the race and the competition season, especially when competing at the state and world level. The team has also become significantly smaller with less team members and families to help due to the significantly smaller class sizes. Most of the organizing is done by parents of alumni who cannot continue to commit to helping organize this race.

The team decided that it is time to find another group to take over this wonderful community event and fundraiser with the hopes to put efforts into organizing a robotics camp and/or an off season robotics competition which would bring 30+ teams from all over the state and will help highlight Manchester’s beautiful high school facility. It feels like a better fit for the robotics team and they should find great success with this because they are a very well respected team in the world of FIRST Robotics in Michigan. It could also help highlight STEM here in Manchester.

The robotics team has spoken to a few school groups, but most are in the same situation of parents and team members spread thin. They plan to reach out to The Men’s Club and the Mason’s as well. The robotics team would like to continue to volunteer the day of the event, just not continue to organize it because their team members, coaches/mentors, and parents (including alumni parents) are spread too thin, especially during their main competition season in the spring.

The team is looking for a group or individuals willing to commit to keep this community event going that will shadow and potentially share in the fundraising this year and then take the event over in 2026. If you have any interest in the opportunity to give back to your community and stepping up to organizing this family fun community event/fundraiser, please email firstrtm@gmail.com.