The LEGO Mountaineers are well on our way

We just finished figuring out our budget for the year. In the past years, I never had an opportunity to be a part of planning the budget because the adults did that while we built the playing field. I was excited to learn how to make one. The first thing we did was go through our records of the previous years and compare costs. We had ordered our playing field early so we also added that cost. One of the things our team likes to do is to buy matching team T-shirts. We have had some fun colors in the past! We decided that we would do the T-shirts this year as well. My father taught me a little about how to use Microsoft Excel to write and organize our information. I thought it was very interesting (I ALWAYS love learning about  new software).

Here is our finished budget.

The LEGO Mountaineers 2006 Team Budget        

FLL 2006 Team Registration                $185
FLL Robot Set (NXT Kit of Parts)                $300
FLL 2006 Playing Field Setup Kit                $85
Miscellaneous Spare Parts                 $170
Batteries                                $30
Team Shirts                                $120
Competition Entrance Fees                $200
Competition Expenses                        $300
Sponsor Appreciation                        $115
Miscellaneous Expenses                $75
Total                                        $1,580

This budget should cover most of our needs for the 2006 season.. It does not, however, cover the expenses associated with attending the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia. If we win the state competitions and earn the right to go to the nationals, we will prepare a separate budget.

Now, we need to raise $1080 from sponsors and contributors. We are learning how to recruit and communicate with potential sponsors. Fortunately, we have a few sponsors from past years that have expressed interest in helping our team this year. Still, $1080 is a lot of money to raise. I hope we can do it.

My father's company has already given us $500 toward buying the playing field, kit of parts, and registering our team.  Hopefully, we will hear from other potential sponsors and donors, soon. I have budgeted for us to compete in several events. That is, if the funds permit. Otherwise, we will have to revise our budget to match the funds we receive.
     
I'm excited to be a part of the LEGO Mountaineers. I know that planning the budget is just the first in a long chain of steps to make our team work. I can't wait until two weeks when the challenges will be announced!

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