» Questions I have about Training Camp

The Skins Fan

This will be my first year attending Traing Camp at Redskins Park....I did go a few years ago up in Carlisle but I've never been to Redskins Park in Ashburn...I know there are a many of you fellow hogs who've been there last year and know the ropes...I'm going on opening day (the 30th) and being a Saturday it's going to be packed...I'm going to be coming from the Annapolis area with a fellow hog and we plan on pulling out of the driveway pretty early...Only question is how early of course and thats where I come to you..How fast does the line accumilate outside the gate before they open them?? Like is there a line half a mile long at 4am or just a 1/4 mile long at that time?? I know they let the gates open at 8am and i've read that you have to pick your place around the field which is basically first come, first serve for the seats closests to the field and the best areas of the field and so forth but i'm just curious how fast the line stacks in the early morning?? I'm trying to get a good idea especially with Gibbs and Co. back in town, it'll be that much packed that much faster...I know alot of you burgendy and gold bleeding hogs were there last year that know the ropes on how it all works and have an early morning battle plan

hatsOFF2gibbs · ^^ Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Posts: 2005 Location: Northern VA

The Skins Fan, I've been in Ashburn for three years now. I usually don't go their early...so I don't know exactly how long the lines are. But, I've heard that they are usually pretty long in the morning. Now since Gibbs is back, its going to be a hell of a lot longer. So, if you want to see the skins camp from begining to end, get there early!! Real early.
Also, isn't the first training camp on the 31st?? (The 30th is a Friday, which doesn't make sense) Check that out!

Jake · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:41 pm Post subject:

My mom and I leave Edgewater (just south of Annapolis) at about 6:00 A.M. I get up at 4:00 to get ready and read up on the latest Skins news on the Post. I had read that we just signed Jacobs. (Sorry, didn't browse TheHogs.net at that time) There aren't any lines to wait in. If you're early, you just park on the side of the long road until it's time to go in. If you're at the parking lot entrance early, they just turn you around and will let you in when you come back on time.

hailskins666 · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:52 pm Post subject:

do you have to get an invitation to camp? or tickets of some sorts? i know a few teams camps require you to send in for an "invitation".

Justice Hog · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:18 pm Post subject:

Last year you got an invitation from Redskins.com and brought it with you. If you didn't have one, you filled one out upon your arrival. I think it's just their way to track how many people are showing up.

BossHog · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:10 am Post subject:

The invitation will be up in mid-july according to Redskins.com.

When it's posted, you print this invitation out and bring it with you to camp and drop it in a ballot box for a draw.

You don't have to have one to get in, but as stated, they do it on the site to try and gauge a rough number of how many people are planning on attending camp.

... also, there are no 'seats' to sit in, so bring your own if you want to sit down.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:10 am Post subject:

How long are practices? Do you all stay there the entire day for the 9:30 and 4:00 PM practices? How available are the players during their down times?

My 1 yr. wedding anniversary lands on Sunday, August 1, and my wife and I plan on taking Monday, August 2 off, as well. I guess, theoretically, we could be at camp on either of those days. We're both Skins fans, and she was with me at draft day.

Is training camp necessarily a day-long affair, or will it suffice to be at the AM practice only?

Justice Hog · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:21 am Post subject:

Redeemedskin, when I went last year, practices lasted between 1-2 hours (if I remember correctly). Some players (certainly not all) often approach the fans after both practices and sign autographs. Some players are more reliable in this regard than others.

If you don't want to make it a day-long affair, attend the A.M. practice only. It's still kinda cool to see the players and the coaches up close and personal...even if it's just for a half-day.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

Thanks, JH. Any concession stands??? Food sales? Half a day sounds good.

NikiH · +++ Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 4476

Yes there are concession stands but bring a heavy wallet. Last year you were able to bring in your own food and drink as well. Which works for me. You don't want a 2 year old munching on fries and junk all day. We actually packed a lunch for Fan Appreciation Day because it was a day long affair and there were tons of people. I was not giving up my prime parking to go to lunch. LOL

REDEEMEDSKIN · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 10:29 am Post subject:

Bringing our own food works well for us. Thanks for the input, Niki.

BossHog · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:11 am Post subject:

I created a little diagram to explain the basic layout of Redskin Park, you will find it in a thread that is stickied in this forum.

... or you can click here

REDEEMEDSKIN · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:28 am Post subject:

Great Diagram. Thanks, Boss.

Are fans ever allowed on the fields? (After practices) Or are they kept strictly behind the ropes?

BossHog · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 11:45 am Post subject:

The ropes are the boundaries... fans aren't allowed past them at any time.

NikiH · +++ Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 4476

What bosshog said is true but during fan appreciation day last year the lines were on the turf practice field. We got a great picture of Jackson right on the 40 yard line. He loved it. It was hard to keep him from running up and down the field.