Code of Conduct

The REC Foundation considers the positive, respectful, and ethical conduct of teams to be an essential component of the competition. Participants are expected to behave in a respectful and professional manner, and to operate as student-centered teams with limited adult assistance. This includes all students, teachers, coaches, mentors, parents, and spectators associated with a team.

For more details, please refer to the REC Foundation Code of Conduct and Student-Centered Policy. If you have concerns about compliance with the Code of Conduct, please speak to the Event Partner during the event.

Agenda

7:30am - Doors Open
8:00am - Robot Inspection Starts
9:00am - Drivers / Coaches Meeting
9:45am - Qualifications Start

12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch

5:00pm - Event Ends

* schedule will be in Tournament Management Software

Freiwilliger

Volunteers are welcome. Interested volunteers, please email [email protected].

Notfall-/Schlechtwetterrichtlinie

In the event of bad weather, we will make every attempt to reschedule the affected session.

Note that if a session is rescheduled, a change in venue for the new date may occur.  Emergency procedures will follow those of the venue.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

In the event that this tournament cannot take place, registration fees will be returned minus $5.00 for administrative fees and postage.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:

This event is nonrefundable after registration closes.

Payment Deadline is April 1, 2026. Not paying by this date may mean that your team may be placed on the waitlist to make room for another team.

Health and Safety Policies

Corpus Christi is a welcoming coastal city, and tourist areas—especially around the bayfront festival grounds—are generally safe and family-friendly, with large crowds contributing to a lively but monitored atmosphere. Like any popular destination, standard precautions apply: travel with care, secure your valuables, stay hydrated in the warm Texas weather, and be aware of your surroundings in crowded spaces.

We recommend exploring the festival in pairs or groups, especially during evening events, and sticking to well-lit, populated areas. If you see something suspicious or need assistance, say something—immediately notify event staff, security personnel, or call 911. You can also report non-emergencies to the Corpus Christi Police Department or use local alert systems for updates.

Teams and spectators are encouraged to plan travel routes in advance (considering potential traffic during festival parades and events), use rideshares or shuttles when possible.

Your safety is our priority—let's make this a fun and memorable robotics showdown! For any concerns, contact us [email protected]

Datum: 3-May-2026

Reiseinformationen

Planning your trip to the coast? We want to ensure your team’s journey to Corpus Christi is as smooth as possible so you can stay focused on the competition.

Lodging

• To ensure your pilots and engineers are well-rested and ready for action, we strongly encourage teams to travel in the day before their scheduled event.

Executive Residency by Best Western Corpus Christi - $99-$119/night + taxes/fees

Booking Information: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.44764.html?groupId=2H7KH2K2

Hampton Inn & Suites Corpus Christi - $116/night + taxes/fees

Booking Link: https://group.hamptoninn.com/82hm0p

To book, you can use the booking link or call (361) 653-4655 and reference the 3 digit code of 908.

Cut-off Date: April 8, 2026

Holiday Inn Airport & Conference Center - $95/night + taxes/fees

Booking Link: Buc Days STEAM Competition Week 1

Cut-Off Date: April 14, 2026

Hyatt Place - $115/night + taxes/fees

Booking Link:

https://www.hyatt.com/shop/rooms/crpzc?location=Hyatt%20Place%20Corpus%20Christi&checkinDate=2026-04-29&checkoutDate=2026-04-30&rooms=1&adults=1&kids=0&corp_id=G-BDSW&accessibilityCheck=false

To book, you can use the booking link or also use the code "G-BDSW" when booking online as well.

Townplace Suites by Marriott - $99/night + taxes/fees

Booking Link: Reservation-Link

To book, you can use the booking link or call the front desk at 361-991-2011 and mention the code C-BUCS.

Parking at the venue is FREE.

Pro Tip: Arriving a day early not only beats the early morning team travel but also allows you to enjoy the Buc Days festival event.

Webcast

This event will be live streamed on YouTube LIVE.

Bewertungsformat

There will be NO FORMAL JUDGING at this event.

Layout / Pits

Pits

We are providing each team a 10’x10’ designated pit. We encourage teams to bring their gear and decorations to show off their team. There will be business leaders and the public walking the pits. Any decorations or presentations must be family friendly and safe for the public to interact with. You are responsible for always monitoring your pit.

You will receive your pit assignment before the event. Teams are required to occupy their assigned pit and not move without expressed permission by the Event Director. This is so we can find you to convey important information or address emergencies in a timely manner.

We will be providing a 6’ foot rectangle table for each pit. We will not be providing any chairs, and no venue / event chairs are allowed in the pit. You may bring your own folding chairs, but they must all fit within the pit. No sitting in chairs on walkways is allowed. There is a designated seating area with viewing of the competitions and there are plenty of areas to relax just outside of the designated event area.

Due to it being an executive conference area, we are not allowing any metal work (grinding / cutting), use of any open flames or any activities that could damage the carpet flooring. You may bring some hardboards to cover your pit area (10’x10’)

We are providing access to standard 110v AC power. You are strongly encouraged to pack a 25ft three prong extension cord that can be used to access power for your pit. You are responsible for securing the extension cable to the floor with appropriate tape. Don’t use the type of tape that can damage the carpet.

Food Options

Please submit your pre-order form before April 15th using the link below: https://bucdays.com/food-court/

Lunch is 1 hour (60 mins). Please remember if going out for the lunch period, traffic is bad and some streets are blocked. We encourage you to enjoy the food court food so you have time to eat, enjoy a small break and be ready to start on time at 1pm.

Awards / Prizes

VEXU (College) – $8,000 Total  //// Updated Feb 13, 2026

Tournament Winning Captain Award: $3,000
​The Tournament Winning Captain Award is presented to the team that outperforms all others in the final elimination matches through superior robot design, precise execution, and elite-level strategic decision-making. This achievement represents the highest standard of university robotics competition, earned by the team that demonstrated consistent excellence and championship-caliber performance throughout the VEXU tournament.

Tournament Finalist Award: $2,000
The Tournament Finalist Award is bestowed to the team that battles bravely to the very end of the elimination bracket, falling just short of claiming the ultimate treasure. This fearless crew earns recognition for their exceptional robot mastery, seamless alliance synergy, daring strategies, and unyielding pirate spirit throughout the high-stakes finals. Their valiant voyage to the championship match embodies the heart of swashbuckling competition, proving themselves worthy adversaries on the VEXU seas.

Tournament Most Winner Award: $500
The Tournament Most Wins Award is presented to the team that accumulates the highest number of match victories across both the qualification and elimination rounds of the tournament. Their consistent robot performance, sharp strategy, and relentless drive throughout every stage of competition demonstrate a level of mastery that sets them apart as the most dominant team in the VEXU tournament.

Top Qualifier Award: $500
The Top Qualifier Award is presented to the team that earns the highest seed at the conclusion of qualification matches, claiming the number one ranking through consistent dominance on the field. This achievement reflects superior robot performance, precise driving, and strategic excellence sustained across every qualification match of the VEXU tournament.

Strength of Schedule Award: $500
The Strength of Schedule Award is presented to the team that faced the most challenging qualification bracket, competing against opponents with the highest average ranking points in the tournament. This recognition honors a team that consistently performed at a high level against elite competition, demonstrating resilience, tactical skill, and exceptional robot capability throughout the VEXU tournament.

Autonomous Mastery Award: $500
The Autonomous Mastery Award is presented to the team that achieves the highest autonomous period scores across qualification matches, demonstrating exceptional programming precision and robot reliability without driver input. This recognition honors outstanding software engineering, innovative coding strategy, and consistent autonomous execution that sets the gold standard for technical performance in the VEXU tournament.

Consistency Mastery Award: $500
The Consistency Award is presented to the team that demonstrates the most reliable and repeatable performance across all qualification matches, achieving the smallest variation in scores from round to round. This recognition honors a team whose dependable robot performance, precise execution, and composure under pressure made them the most consistent competitor throughout the VEXU tournament.

Arrr-mazing Spirit Award: $500
The Arrr-mazing Spirit Award celebrates the most enthusiastic and creative pirate crew in the competition, recognizing the team that fully embraces the pirate theme through imaginative costumes, dazzling pit and robot decorations, and infectious high-seas energy. From colorful bandanas and eye patches to treasure-map banners and jolly robot companions, this award goes to the team whose swashbuckling spirit, creativity, and teamwork brings the biggest smiles and the loudest "Arrr!" to the event — Yo ho ho!

Warteliste

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