An FRC team is like a small business.
We are currently recruiting for this team. The W.A.F.F.L.E.S. FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) team was started in 2013 and given the team number 4476. As an entirely community-based team, any area students in grades 8 through 12 are welcome to join. No prior experience is required.
The technical aspects of the team are about as close to real-world engineering as you can get. Each year in January, a new game challenge is released. Teams then have less than two months to design, build, program, and test a robot to compete in exciting events throughout March and April.
115 lb
robot, built from scratch
Designed, machined, wired and programmed by students.
2.5 min
matches, packed with action
Played on a 27′ by 52′ field.
3
robots per alliance
Working together to score as many points as possible.
$100M
in scholarships
Available exclusively to alumni of the program.
There is a place for everyone
FRC teams encompass many different skills and areas of interest. Our mentors are industry professionals, team alumni, and students from Queen’s University and St. Lawrence College. They guide and teach, and the students do the work.
Design and machining
Designing, machining, assembling and repairing robot parts.
Electrical
Wiring the electrical components of the robot.
Programming
Coding autonomous and driver-operated programs.
Strategy and scouting
Game analysis, match strategy, and scouting other teams.
Fundraising
Fundraising and sponsor relations.
Awards
Written awards submissions and presentations.
Marketing and branding
Marketing, recruitment, and team branding.
Media
Website and graphic design, social media, photography and videography.
Bumpers and displays
Sewing bumpers and building pit and presentation displays.
What students get out of it
- Hands-on experience with tools and manufacturing
- Create a robot from scratch and compete in exciting, sports-like events
- Work with sophisticated hardware and software such as SolidWorks (3D modelling) and Java (programming language)
- Work alongside mentors (industry professionals and FRC alumni)
- Gain real-world, applicable experience with engineering and business
- Make lasting friends with team members and those on other teams
- Strengthen soft skills such as time-management, communication, teamwork, and self-confidence
Our success story
Team success
Top 50
in the world
Out of more than 3,700 teams, by robot performance rating (EPA) in 2025 and 2026.
7
World Championship qualifications in a row
Including a division win and a trip to the Einstein field in 2024.
Top 10
in Ontario
Out of more than 120 teams in the Ontario district, every season from 2023 to 2026. 4th in 2024 and 2025.
19+
blue banners
FIRST hands out a blue banner for winning an event or earning one of its top awards. 10 of ours are event wins.
60+
awards in total
For robot design, engineering, community impact and more.
Student success
97%
go on to post-secondary
Of W.A.F.F.L.E.S. graduates.
96%
of those have studied STEM
90%
have gone to university
The other 10% to college.
Our alumni are working all over the world, and students graduate with industry-level certifications and skills.
The season
May to December
Off-season. Workshops, off-season projects, and off-season events to introduce new members and build skills for the season. This is a great time to join the team.
January and February
Build season. A new challenge is released in early January. An intense period where our team designs, builds, and programs a new robot for the challenge.
March and April
District events. Our team attends two district events in Ontario each year. Competitions are 2.5 days long, either Friday to Sunday or Thursday to Saturday.
April
Championships. If our team performs well, we may qualify for the Provincial Championships and the World Championships. For 2026, these events are in Niagara Falls and Houston.
Joining the team
Come out to a meeting to check out the team, no commitment. Send us an email and we will tell you when the next one is.
Cost
$500 to join
Joining the team is $500 for the season. Students who attend competitions pay a further $1,500 toward event costs.
Our goal is for this to cost students nothing. Each student fundraises, with plenty of support from us, so that their fees are covered. Families can also choose to pay some or all of it directly.
When
Friday nights
In the off-season we usually meet once a week at 575 Victoria Street. During the build season we meet almost every day, but no one is expected at every meeting. We recommend 3-6 meetings a week to get the most out of the program.
Parents
Involvement required
Parents often help by making meals for the team, helping to organize accommodations for competitions, stepping into a mentor role and attending events.
Staying in touch
Slack
Students, parents, and mentors receive an invitation upon registration so that we can send announcements and communicate about team meetings and events.
What we have built
A new robot every January, designed and built in six weeks.
How to join
Find the program that fits your child’s age. The LEGO programs need registration, so join our mailing list to hear when it opens. For the FRC team, come out to a meeting to check out the team, no commitment. Email info@wafflesrobotics.com and we will tell you when the next one is.
Everything meets at 575 Victoria Street in Kingston. No experience is needed for any program, and bursaries may be available for families who need them.