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2014 Training Camp


HtownRocks111

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I'm planning on attending this year in a few weeks.  Probably the July 28th practice.  Just a few questions for those who went last year.  I work overnights and get off at 7am and I'm driving from Williamsburg.  I'm thinking of seeing if I could leave at 6am that day to head over.  I'll be attending with my wife and 4 year old son.

 

1)  What time do they start letting people in for a 8:30am practice?

2)  How bad was parking?

3)  How long does practice usually last? 

 

Just trying to plan my day around this so any help is appreciated!  Thanks

 

 

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There were no 8:30 am practices last year if memory serves but according to the team's website the gates open at 8:00 and and close at 6:00 pm. There are full practices in the mornings and walkthroughs at 4:10 pm.

 

Practices usually last about 2 hours give or take. We don't really yet know as there is a new coaching staff.

 

Here is the parking info website: http://redskinsrva.bonsecours.com/parking

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I am from Richmond and went several times to camp. Opening day and Fan appreciation day will be a MADHOUSE! How the practices are gonna be are anyones guess with the new coaching changes...

 

Parking is ok you may have to walk some but it is usually not to far. I would recommend if you are going to both sessions park your car and either eat lunch at the facility (food trucks) or walk to a local eatery, that way you don't lose your parking spot.

 

Enjoy camp I cant waitI

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I was an ambassador last year and I'm interviewing tomorrow to be back this year. The morning shift starts at 7:00 am this year, so my guess is that the gate will open at 7:30 or 8:00. The best advice I can give you is GET THERE EARLY. The morning practices are less crowded and if you choose to watch both, you can set up your spot and either bring a cooler to eat lunch, buy something on site, or walk to one of the restaurants nearby and not lose your seats. Camp is a blast...I can't wait!

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Parking was surprisingly not a problem at all for me last year. That North Meadow location is pretty close and an easy walk. That parking is the way to go. IIRC, they listed that as the location last year, but it's really a big dirt field and a row along a warehouse right across from where that address is (right on Hermitage Road by the fire department). Getting in and out was no issue and it's less than a 5 minute walk. 

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I was an ambassador last year and I'm interviewing tomorrow to be back this year. The morning shift starts at 7:00 am this year, so my guess is that the gate will open at 7:30 or 8:00. The best advice I can give you is GET THERE EARLY. The morning practices are less crowded and if you choose to watch both, you can set up your spot and either bring a cooler to eat lunch, buy something on site, or walk to one of the restaurants nearby and not lose your seats. Camp is a blast...I can't wait!

What exactly do the ambassadors do at training camp?

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I went to the 2nd practice on the first day last year and it wasn't bad at all.  There were a ton of people, but parking was pretty easy to find (we found a vacant gravel lot about 2 blocks from the field, then walked).  

 

I have to say, if I hadn't been with my Dad in the handicapped area it would have been crazy, but we had a great time and were right up front in the end zone nearest the building.

 

It was HOT, from what I remember.  Bring water.

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What exactly do the ambassadors do at training camp?

I think they stand around the outside of the field, but on the player's side of the "fence" and kind of make sure no one is trying to get onto the field.  They also help with people who look like they might be getting heat stroke, they hang out in the VIP area and do the same kind of thing.

 

Basically, I think they're water boys/girls.

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I think they stand around the outside of the field, but on the player's side of the "fence" and kind of make sure no one is trying to get onto the field.  They also help with people who look like they might be getting heat stroke, they hang out in the VIP area and do the same kind of thing.

 

Basically, I think they're water boys/girls.

That's pretty much it. We make sure people aren't out of designated areas and keep traffic moving near the handicapped area, keep kids off the field, answer questions, and restock drinks and snacks in the VIP area. Maybe more like gophers than waterboys, but same idea.

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Another thing I learned from last year: Be ready for rain, just in case. Thunderstorms pop up quickly this time of year in the afternoon. If you're going to the AM practice, you probably don't have to worry about it. You guys should wear shoes you don't care about getting muddy, especially if it rained the day before you're going, or if rain is in the forecast. It got pretty sloppy out there last year a few times. Just one of those things I managed to overlook once, even though it's kind of common sense.

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That's pretty much it. We make sure people aren't out of designated areas and keep traffic moving near the handicapped area, keep kids off the field, answer questions, and restock drinks and snacks in the VIP area. Maybe more like gophers than waterboys, but same idea.

Yeah, I didn't mean it as a slam or anything.  If I hadn't been on vacation with my kids I would have tried to volunteer to do it.  You guys get a lot closer to the action and get to be around everything that's happening.  I actually think it would be pretty fun for a day or two.

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Oh, I didn't take it as a slam. It's not too glamorous and it gets HOT out there, but being right on the sidelines with the players behind you is pretty awesome. 

 

Soul Skin is right about the mud factor. The facility is only a year old and there were definitely some drainage problems last year. It was a wetter than usual summer, too, but wear grungy shoes just in case.

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From my experience last year:

 

Bring a chair for everybody

bring water/snacks

sunscreen

hats

don't get your hopes up for getting an autograph and if you don't get one, don't post a video of yourself crying about it on youtube. 

 

Buzz and Ned's Real BBQ should be your destination for lunch and/or dinner.

 

BTW, The Nationals AA team plays the Richmond team at 7 PM on 7/28.

 

I am going with my nephew on 7/30.  We intend to hit both of the Skins practices that day, plus the AA game at the Diamond at 12:05.  We might eat at Buzz and Ned's twice.    :)

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All good tips from Mark, especially the point about not getting crazy if you don't get an autograph. Kids get first priority on that kind on stuff.. Another I will add is to get there early. People are waiting to stake out good spots, especially on the ropes if you want to get autographs.

 

Rocky-Morning is for practice. Afternoon is for walkthroughs. That's opposite of last year and makes more sense to me. Practices got cancelled due to afternoon rain a few times last year.

 

Buz and Neds will have a food truck this year too, so people don't have to walk there. The restaurant is not too far, but it's a bit of a hike and usually super-crowded with a long line. If you want to eat there, eat outside or find a table away from where the line forms, unless you like feeling crowded and strangers' butts in your face while you're eating. There's going to be some more food options this year, with food trucks. Bodillaz and Opa are good. I haven't tried the others.

 

http://wtvr.com/2014/07/08/six-food-trucks-training-camp/

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        I really love my memories of going to training camp and miss it a lot now because it's to far away for me. I was a regular when the Redskins were in Frostburg MD because it was only about a fifty mile drive for me. The crowd wasn't bad at all there because it was to far away for fans from DC and Virginia to go regulary. Autographs were not a problem at all and the players walked through the campus a lot and if you were respectful to them most had no problem signing anything for you.

 

      The time period was during the early Norv Turner period and the player selection wasn't as good as it is now though. Shuler, Gus and Trent Green were the QB's and who would have ever thought that Green was far and away the best of the three.Some of the nicest players I met were Ken Harvey, Richie Owens, Champ Bailey and Jim Lachey. Some of the not so nice were Michael Westbrook, James Washington and Albert Connell. Darrell Green insisted that he be called Mr. Green when he was asked for an autograph but he deserved the respect as do all the other players. 

 

      I know I didn't answer any of the OP's questions but when I saw the thread for training camp it just felt good to think back through memory lane. 

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All good tips from Mark, especially the point about not getting crazy if you don't get an autograph. Kids get first priority on that kind on stuff.. Another I will add is to get there early. People are waiting to stake out good spots, especially on the ropes if you want to get autographs.

Yeah, that's definitely true.  If you want an autograph, give your item to your kid and tell them to go get (name of player)'s signature.

 

My daughter got all our signatures last year (Orakpo, Riley, and Hankerson).  They kind of tend to ignore the adults calling their names.

 

well gents, 7 days till training camp!! football is almost in the air :)

Gents?!  That supposed to be some cracker slang?   ;)

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The Times Dispatch has a revamped 'Redskins Xtra' landing page with lots of info on training camp.

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/redskins-xtra/

 

Here's their fan tips for training camp.

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/redskins-xtra/redskins-training-camp-fan-tips/article_97cb9ad4-0c9a-11e4-9530-10604b9f6eda.html

 

I also read a new drainage system has been installed where the mulch/dirt/mud trackway was last year and it's supposed to be a big improvement.

 

http://m.timesdispatch.com/news/local/city-of-richmond/redskins-facility-gets-in-upgrades-to-prevent-mud/article_3c750f0d-111d-5c54-be89-1aca8401e652.html?mode=jqm

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