Who We Are

FIRST of the Great Lakes Bay Region was created in 2011 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that provides financial, technical and organizational support to FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), FIRST Lego League (FLL) and FIRST Lego League Junior (FLL JR) teams located in the Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) of Michigan. Our primary area of financial support covers Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties, but some programs extend beyond that.
Although we began as a financial organization, we think of our region as our family. We want all Great Lakes Bay Region FIRST teams to feel welcomed and supported (beyond funding). We strive to be a network of teams that can depend on each other for help, advice, resources and cheerleading.
In the spring of 2014, FIRST-GLBR hosted the first FRC district event in the Great Lakes Bay Region at H. H. Dow High School. Our first off-season FRC event, “Bot Bash”, took place that fall. We have continued this tradition each year (except for the Covid-cancelled events in 2020-21). We also assist (hosting and/or providing volunteers and equipment) at several FTC, FLL Challenge and FLL Explore events all within the Great Lakes Bay Region!
Although we began as a financial organization, we think of our region as our family. We want all Great Lakes Bay Region FIRST teams to feel welcomed and supported (beyond funding). We strive to be a network of teams that can depend on each other for help, advice, resources and cheerleading.
In the spring of 2014, FIRST-GLBR hosted the first FRC district event in the Great Lakes Bay Region at H. H. Dow High School. Our first off-season FRC event, “Bot Bash”, took place that fall. We have continued this tradition each year (except for the Covid-cancelled events in 2020-21). We also assist (hosting and/or providing volunteers and equipment) at several FTC, FLL Challenge and FLL Explore events all within the Great Lakes Bay Region!