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

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Last updated: May 27, 2025

Thursday, October 23rd

3:00 PM ~ Check-In and Inspection Open / Practice Fields Open / Skills Fields Open / Pits Open

7:00 PM ~ Check-In and Inspection Closed / Practice Fields Closed / Skills Fields Closed / Pits Closed

Friday, October 24th

7:00 AM ~ Check-In and Inspection Open / Pits Open

9:00 AM ~ Opening Ceremony and Event Meeting / Check-In and Inspection Closed / Practice Fields Closed

9:30 AM ~ Qualification Matches Begin / Skills Fields Open / Practice Fields Open

12:00 PM ~ Lunch / Quaification Matches Pause / Skills Pause

1:30 PM ~ Qualification Matches Resume / Skills Open

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ~ Dinner Break Division 1

5:45 PM - 6:45 PM ~ Dinner Break Division 2

6:00 PM ~ Division 1 Matches Resume

6:45 PM ~ Division 2 Matches Resume

8:00 PM ~ Qualification Matches Pause / Venue Closed

Saturday, October 25th

7:00 AM ~ Doors and Practice Fields Open

8:00 AM ~ Qualification Matches Resume / Skills Open

12:00 PM ~ Lunch / Qualification Matches End / Skills Closed

1:30 PM ~ Alliance Selection / Practice Fields Closed

2:15 PM ~ Division Elimination Matches

3:45 PM ~ Grand Finals / Awards

5:00 PM ~ Closing Ceremony

5:30 PM ~ Venue Closed

Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to a successful tournament. Please consider volunteering. There are volunteer positions available at all levels of experience.

Volunteer sign up links will be available closer to the event.

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

In the event of bad weather, updates will be made via email.

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event: 

Refunds will only be made if the event is canceled. Refunds will not include the $10 processing fee assessed by Robot Events for processing.

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

Registrations will not be refunded for teams that register but choose not to come. 

Payment is required to be submitted by August 2nd. Any teams added after August 2nd will have one week from their registration date to complete payment. If you need special payment accomidations please email [email protected] 

Date: 23-Oct-2025 - 25-Oct-2025

Travel Info

How to Get to Owensboro, KY
Owensboro is located in western Kentucky along the scenic Ohio River. It's well connected by road and air, making it very accessible.

Drive Times from Major Cities
Owensboro is within a manageable drive from several major cities:

• Louisville, KY – 1 hour 45 minutes (107 miles)
• Nashville, TN – 2 hours (123 miles)
• St. Louis, MO – 3.5 hours (217 miles)
• Indianapolis, IN – 3 hours (181 miles)
• Evansville, IN – 45 minutes (42 miles)
• Cincinnati, OH – 3 hours 15 minutes (186 miles)

Airport Options
Owensboro is served by a regional airport and is also close to several major international airports:

• Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB)
  Offers daily commercial flights (primarily to Chicago O'Hare via Contour Airlines) and private charters. A great option for regional travelers or those connecting through a hub.
• Evansville Regional Airport (EVV) – 45 minutes away
  Offers more flight options including direct routes to Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and more.
• Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) – 1 hour 45 minutes
  A full-service international airport with major carriers and a wide selection of domestic and international flights.
• Nashville International Airport (BNA) – 2 hours
  Ideal for travelers seeking competitive pricing or international routes, with dozens of direct flights across the U.S. and abroad.

What to Do in Owensboro

• Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum – Dive into Kentucky’s musical roots with exhibits, live performances, and educational experiences.
• Moonlite Bar-B-Q Inn – A legendary stop for slow-smoked mutton, pork, and burgoo, a regional stew unique to western Kentucky.
• Smothers Park – Voted one of the best riverfront parks in America, featuring fountains, playgrounds, and walking trails.
• Western Kentucky Botanical Garden – Perfect for a peaceful stroll through themed gardens and seasonal blooms.

Where to Stay
We're partnering with Visit Owensboro to secure hotel room blocks at three conveniently located hotels. Reservation links will be available soon—stay tuned!

For more details about the area, visit: visitowensboro.com

Webcast

Follow our YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@hauntedsignature

Day 1 Livestream - TBD
Day 2 Livestream - TBD
Day 3 Livestream - TBD

Judging Format

All In-Person Judging - The Team Interviews and Engineering Notebooks will be judged in person during the event.

• All teams will receive at least one interview in the pit. 
• ALL notebooks Deadlines to be announced

Signature Event Early Bird Policy

• All Signature Events will have a specific Early Bird Registration that is independent of all local/regional Early Bird systems
  • Each team starts the season with three (3) opportunities to register during the Signature Event Early-Bird period
    • An opportunity is taken away each time the team registers for a Signature Event, whether during the Signature Event Early-Bird period or Standard period
    • A Signature Event Early-Bird opportunity is not taken away if a team registers for a tournament hosted by their school or organization (where the team’s coach is the Event Partner)
  • Early Bird Registration will open 16 weeks before the event at 12:00PM EST
    • Note: Modifications to this may be made for events in August and September
  • Standard Registration will open 14 weeks before the event at 12:00PM EST
  • An Event Partner may register their own teams to their Signature Event during Signature Event Early Bird Registration no matter how many other Signature Events they are already registered for  
    • The Event Partner must be the Primary Contact for the teams they are registering

Social Media

Instagram

• HAUNTED Signature (@hauntedsignature) • Instagram photos and videos

Discord

• ​https://discord.gg/zkFHjGXHAJ

YouTube

• https://www.youtube.com/@hauntedsignature

Evening Fun at Holiday World

This year, Holiday World is thrilled to welcome teams from the VEX Robotics Competition Signature Event HAUNTED, held just a short drive away from the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. After daily robotics matches conclude, teams are encouraged to make the easy evening trip to Holiday World to enjoy exclusive Halloween-themed entertainment and unwind with fellow competitors.

Holiday World (HolidayWorld.com) in Santa Claus, Indiana, transforms into a festive, family-friendly Halloween destination during its annual Happy Halloween Weekends, running from late September through late October. This seasonal event blends the park's beloved rides with a variety of Halloween-themed attractions, ensuring fun for guests of all ages.

Evening Thrills & Entertainment for Teams

• All rides remain open, including fan favorites like:
  • The Raven, The Legend, The Voyage, Thunderbird, Good Gravy!, and Gobbler Getaway
     
• Happy Halloween Attractions
  • Kitty’s 3D Candy Farm: A colorful, non-scary walkthrough experience
  • SCAREbnb: A silly spooky funhouse
  • Corn Maze, 3D Adventures, and Carnival Chaos: Perfect for team bonding and fun after a long competition day
     
• Special Evening Shows
  • Halloween in the Sky Drone Show: Every Saturday night, over 400 illuminated drones fill the sky in a stunning Halloween-themed display.
  • HAUNTED Team Nights: Teams visiting from the VEX event can enjoy additional surprises and entertainment in the park after matches wrap up.
• Event Info
  • Costumes: Teams and guests may wear family-appropriate costumes (no full-face masks or weapon props)
  • Tickets: Available online at HolidayWorld.com

This collaboration between HAUNTED and Holiday World gives robotics teams the chance to cap off their competition days with thrilling rides, spooky fun, and a one-of-a-kind Halloween celebration. It's the perfect blend of brains and thrills!