Training Camp do's and don'ts.

[Udogg]

I am my son who is 5 have decided to make our first "pilgrimage" to Spartanburg. Being that this will be my first training camp, I wonder if there are any tips/do's and don'ts you would like to share. Questions I have are :

Do they allow coolers? Should I bring a chair or is there bleacher sitting? Is there a spot to setup an umbrella? Stuff like that.

[Delhommey]

It is legal to beat down any adult that pushes his way in front of your son to get an autograph.

[Johnny Rockets]

Click the "Home" button on the top of this page and check out the featured article.

[scpanther22]

the Heat

[Fireball77]

No, adults shouldn't try to jump over kids to get autographs. However when I was at TC there was a fair amount of very, very rude children who were old enough to know better (and if they weren't had parents there who were) would step all over you shout and scream rudely at the players and jostle into position and elbow people. I wasn't trying to get autographs and was specifically standing a row behind the fence so the kids could have the front.

The most well behaved child I saw there was p55's little boy. What a doll.

[mantal]

I am my son who is 5 have decided to make our first "pilgrimage" to Spartanburg. Being that this will be my first training camp, I wonder if there are any tips/do's and don'ts you would like to share. Questions I have are :

Do they allow coolers? Should I bring a chair or is there bleacher sitting? Is there a spot to setup an umbrella? Stuff like that.

There are bleachers on one of fields they use, but not on the main one. There's also no room to apply a chair on the main side, but there is a hill to sit down on on the other. Don't know about coolers, you may want to PM PanthersLover to see, I've never seen them, but that doesn't mean they're banned...

[Panthers_Lover]

I am my son who is 5 have decided to make our first "pilgrimage" to Spartanburg. Being that this will be my first training camp, I wonder if there are any tips/do's and don'ts you would like to share. Questions I have are :

Do they allow coolers? Should I bring a chair or is there bleacher sitting? Is there a spot to setup an umbrella? Stuff like that.

No coolers are allowed inside the fenced viewing area. Refreshments are available for purchase just outside the fence, or you can enjoy yours at your car -- no alcoholic beverages allowed at all.

Bring a chair, towel, blanket, whatever to sit on. No bleacher seating is available. Yes, you may set up an umbrella -- just try to not set it up where it's blocking others' view.

Here are some handy tips (available at www.teamspartanburgsc.org):

* Shade is at a premium, so bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. You will sweat, so making a towel a handy fashion accessory is always a good idea.

* Coolers are not allowed inside the gate, but there will be vendors selling food, drink and souvenirs. Bring money, especially if you bring children, because they’ll drink a lot and beg for a T-shirt or football.

* No dogs or other pets allowed inside the fence.

* Since the action moves from field-to-field throughout practice, comfortable shoes are a must.

* For those who prefer to sit in one place, a blanket, folding chair, field glasses or umbrella can make the experience more comfortable. And getting there early gives you the opportunity to pick out a prime spot, maybe even one with a little shade.

* Bringing a camera helps to make the memory of a day at training camp permanent. (NO VIDEO cameras are allowed in the viewing area.)

* A team roster, available at the Convention and Visitors Bureau tent at the entrance to the practice area, is a must if you want to pick your favorite players out of the group or check out newcomers.

* Autograph seekers should bring a Sharpie for players to use to sign autographs and a photograph, football or other memento for them to sign. And good manners go a long way. Signing is not a requirement. It's something special that the players do for their fans. Not every player will stop to sign autographs every day. Though training camp is entertainment for fans, it’s hot, sweaty work for the players.

Practice schedules are subject to change. For up-to-date information about activities and practice schedules, check the Team Spartanburg Web site at www.teamspartanburgsc.org or call the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 864-594-5050 or 1-800-374-TEAM.

Free parking, including handicapped parking, is available on Twitty Street, a cul-de-sac off North Pine Street.

[Panthers_Lover]

There are bleachers on one of fields they use, but not on the main one. There's also no room to apply a chair on the main side, but there is a hill to sit down on on the other. Don't know about coolers, you may want to PM PanthersLover to see, I've never seen them, but that doesn't mean they're banned...

Oh, yes ... when practice is in Snyder Field (noted on the schedule), there are bleachers.

Mintal is right -- typically, Fox mainly uses the field farthest away from the main viewing area, so there is not really a place for chairs over there. Standing room behind the snow fence.

Yes, coolers are banned inside the gate.

[Samuel L. Jackson]

I must spread some rep before I can give it to P_L again...

You're always informative when it comes to this, even if you're politically challenged...

As for my 2 cents... The heat is the worst part... Get there early if you want a good view... Don't even bother with trying to get autographs, as it's not worth the hassle of the crowd/hecklers... You can stand further down the fence on that side and still get a good view/speak to some of the players as they run out, even if they don't come over and sign... If you want the best view of practice, get there early and head to the side of the field opposite the big hill....

[Delhommey]

I wonder how they'll be able to prevent video as so many phones and digital cameras have built in video function...

Let me rephrase that: I wonder how they'll respond now that there's no way to prevent video.

[Panthers_Lover]

I wonder how they'll be able to prevent video as so many phones and digital cameras have built in video function...

Let me rephrase that: I wonder how they'll respond now that there's no way to prevent video.

They won't stop you for those, but if you try to bring in a camcorder or larger video camera, they will.

[rayzor]

don't wear long sleeves.

do go to the bathroom before you get there. (it's a mile or 300 to get to the bathrooms there.)

about drinks...i've always gone in with one and no one ever said anything. just a bottle of gatorade that i picked up from the CVS across the street. kind of nuts to be there for long without something to drink, imo. it's pretty stinking hot (esp. if you wear long sleeves).

[SMACKDAB]

Don't just whip your tool out to take a leak no matter how hidden you think you are, and that no one can see you.

Trust me.....they can. People are everywhere, and appear out of nowhere.

[Panthers_Lover]

don't wear long sleeves.

do go to the bathroom before you get there. (it's a mile or 300 to get to the bathrooms there.)

about drinks...i've always gone in with one and no one ever said anything. just a bottle of gatorade that i picked up from the CVS across the street. kind of nuts to be there for long without something to drink, imo. it's pretty stinking hot (esp. if you wear long sleeves).

You can take drinks (non alcoholic) in, just not coolers. The vendor is right outside the gate, and you could keep the cooler in your car and go back.

It's really not that far to the bathrooms, and at least they aren't porta-johns.