training camp questions

[Valpo2004]

Not sure if I have this under right forum so feel free to move it.

 

Thinking about going to TC on August 7.  But I have some questions.

 

1. How far is the walk from parking to colts city and then from colts city to practice fields?  Is any walk more then a mile?

 

2. Do you have to sit in bleachers or is there places where you could put up some lawn chairs or a blanket down and sit there?  Reason I ask is wife and I have a 2 year old who is rarely content to sit still for too long at one time.  Asking him to sit still for 2 hours or more in a place that he's never been and would like to explore would probably be a bridge too far.  He might be able to play with toys sitting on a blanket though.

 

Our hope is that there might be a little bit of open space nearby that the wife can take him and let him run around while she watches him and contains him in a certain area.   Is there anyplace near the field where that might be possible?  

 

3. Noticed it said personal coolers where not allowed. . . Could we potentially bring water bottles outside of a cooler?

[STH2000]

I think I can give you some insight on TC practices. Parking is $5 to park at the University lot. 1/4 mile walk at most to get to Colts City. They will have inflatables, cheerleaders, giveaways, etc. The walk to the practice field is another couple hundred yards or so. There is plenty of room to throw down lawn chairs and a blanket, with ample room to roam, NE side of practice field. I would expect practices through the week will be lightly attended, as school will have already started there. You'll be fine taking bottled water in with you, just no cooler. This will be my son and mines 14th year of going. Started taking him when he was 3. Needless to say, he is now a 16 yr old diehard. I look forward to this time of year. You'll be surprised how close you are to the players, it is amazing. Hope you go, hope you keep going and have as much fun as we've had over the years. Hope this helps you out. Go Colts!

Edited July 30, 2015 by 21isSuperman

[pgt_rob]

I think I can give you some insight on TC practices. Parking is $5 to park at the University lot. 1/4 mile walk at most to get to Colts City. They will have inflatables, cheerleaders, giveaways, etc. The walk to the practice field is another couple hundred yards or so. There is plenty of room to throw down lawn chairs and a blanket, with ample room to roam, NE side of practice field. I would expect practices through the week will be lightly attended, as school will have already started there. You'll be fine taking bottled water in with you, just no cooler. This will be my son and mines 14th year of going. Started taking him when he was 3. Needless to say, he is now a 16 yr old diehard. I look forward to this time of year. You'll be surprised how close you are to the players, it is amazing. Hope you go, hope you keep going and have as much fun as we've had over the years. Hope this helps you out. Go Colts!

 

Awesome. My wife and I are going to try to make it to the Wednesday August 12th practice. Thanks for the info!

[Bravo]

Be careful with lawn chairs. You can not bring the covers in so they must be uncovered.

Also last year it seemed as if there was a lot less space for lawn chairs to sit. They no longer allowed lawn chairs infront of the bleachers!!!!

[Coffeedrinker]

I think I can give you some insight on TC practices. Parking is $5 to park at the University lot. 1/4 mile walk at most to get to Colts City. They will have inflatables, cheerleaders, giveaways, etc. The walk to the practice field is another couple hundred yards or so. There is plenty of room to throw down lawn chairs and a blanket, with ample room to roam, NE side of practice field. I would expect practices through the week will be lightly attended, as school will have already started there. You'll be fine taking bottled water in with you, just no cooler. This will be my son and mines 14th year of going. Started taking him when he was 3. Needless to say, he is now a 16 yr old diehard. I look forward to this time of year. You'll be surprised how close you are to the players, it is amazing. Hope you go, hope you keep going and have as much fun as we've had over the years. Hope this helps you out. Go Colts!

I just wanted to say thanks, it's been a while since a new poster came to the board and posted something helpful.  It seems over the past year, any new posters wanted their first post to be memorable so they would post something to troll or cause an uproar.

 

So thanks STH2000 for bucking the trend and posting something useful, it is posts like this that make this one of the best fan boards on the internet... useful information pertaining to the Colts.

[Valpo2004]

I think I can give you some insight on TC practices. Parking is $5 to park at the University lot. 1/4 mile walk at most to get to Colts City. They will have inflatables, cheerleaders, giveaways, etc. The walk to the practice field is another couple hundred yards or so. There is plenty of room to throw down lawn chairs and a blanket, with ample room to roam, NE side of practice field. I would expect practices through the week will be lightly attended, as school will have already started there. You'll be fine taking bottled water in with you, just no cooler. This will be my son and mines 14th year of going. Started taking him when he was 3. Needless to say, he is now a 16 yr old diehard. I look forward to this time of year. You'll be surprised how close you are to the players, it is amazing. Hope you go, hope you keep going and have as much fun as we've had over the years. Hope this helps you out. Go Colts!

 

I mis-stated the date, I'm actually going on a Saturday which I found out was the 8th, so I expect there to be a lot of people.  Although you have intrigued me. . . Maybe it would be worth it to take a vacation day and go rather then go when all the crowds are there. . . thoughts?

 

Another thing that came up while I was looking at this.  It said their bag policy was the NFL stadium bag policy. . . 12 x 12 x 6 clear plastic bags only.  We have 2 babies who need diapers, stuff to drink and eat (for the little one that's the same thing), wipes, etc.

 

Can we take more then one of these bags??. . . I'm thinking if we could take like 3 of them we would probably be ok.  If we take the formula in a smaller clear plastic bag do you think they will freak out about this mysterious powder or do you think they will take our word for it if we just say "it's baby formula"

 

Thanks for information, good to know there is grass.

[pgt_rob]

Bringing our own chairs better than the bleachers? We are game for whatever, just trying to gather a visual.

[Valpo2004]

Bringing our own chairs better than the bleachers? We are game for whatever, just trying to gather a visual.

 

I'm guessing based on the map alone (again I've never been) that you would probably get a better visual from the bleachers.  

 

However I would also say that lawn chairs would probably be more comfortable for sitting then bleachers.  

[pgt_rob]

I'm guessing based on the map alone (again I've never been) that you would probably get a better visual from the bleachers.  

 

However I would also say that lawn chairs would probably be more comfortable for sitting then bleachers.  

 

Cool sounds good.

 

I'm wondering if there is a time where players give autographs at one point before or after practice, or if they don't usually do that?

[Chucklez]

Ive seen it written many times in the weekly mailbag that the players are usually happy to sign autographs before & after practice starts. Sometimes even during if they get a 5 minute breather....

[Valpo2004]

Ive seen it written many times in the weekly mailbag that the players are usually happy to sign autographs before & after practice starts. Sometimes even during if they get a 5 minute breather....

 

Any suggestions as to what is something good to get autographed?  Probably something that I would keep around just as a keepsake to hand down to whichever of my children becomes the biggest Colt's fan.  (Would be tough if they where both fans though.)

 

I was thinking I would likely just buy a football for the purpose.

[Coffeedrinker]

Any suggestions as to what is something good to get autographed?  Probably something that I would keep around just as a keepsake to hand down to whichever of my children becomes the biggest Colt's fan.  (Would be tough if they where both fans though.)

 

I was thinking I would likely just buy a football for the purpose.

I bought a football there at camp one year for signatures.  Ended up getting about 30.  My two favorites were Tom Moore's and Dallas Clark  Tom Moore was my favorite OC in the NFL but they were my favorites because both were obtained in areas where we should not have been and security was nice enough to stand there as we got the autograph before escorting us from the area (they didn't kick us out of the training camp, just the area we were in).

[Chucklez]

Any suggestions as to what is something good to get autographed?  Probably something that I would keep around just as a keepsake to hand down to whichever of my children becomes the biggest Colt's fan.  (Would be tough if they where both fans though.)

 

I was thinking I would likely just buy a football for the purpose.

Footballs are good, Jerseys are good if you have the player's that you want to sign them. I'd recommend those for sure.

[Valpo2004]

Footballs are good, Jerseys are good if you have the player's that you want to sign them. I'd recommend those for sure.

 

Yeah the only jersey I have is one of a player who's no longer with the team.  Plus if you get them to sign something like that then it becomes a piece of clothing you can no longer really wear.  (Because washing it would wash out the signatures.)

 

Football would probably be the way I would go.  Do the players have markers I presume?

[Chucklez]

Yeah the only jersey I have is one of a player who's no longer with the team.  Plus if you get them to sign something like that then it becomes a piece of clothing you can no longer really wear.  (Because washing it would wash out the signatures.)

 

Football would probably be the way I would go.  Do the players have markers I presume?

Uhm no, you gotta bring your own i think.

[STH2000]

Coffeedrinker, thanks for the kind words. I've lurked around on here for years, and have enjoyed your sense of humor, and your knowledge of the game. Just looking too help a fellow fan out. Looking back I've been really lucky to attend as long as I have. Way too many good stories to post in 1 thread, so I won't.

 

Valpo, I posted what I did earlier too cater to you and your family. Lawn chairs and blanket won't fly in front of the bleachers, but there is ample room on the north side of the practice field. You won't be as close to the field, but your comfort level with 2 toddlers would be good. Don't sweat the bags, take as many as you want, pack em in the strollers if you can't carry them all. It is a very family friendly type of place. If it was me, and it has been, I would take that vacation day or 3, and go during the less crowded practices. It is a much more intimate experience than dealing with a full house.

 

I did want too add a few things for folks who have never been, and don't know what too expect. Get there early if you go, stay late. You will see who is really busting it too make the team. Bleachers are the best seats, grab a 50 yd line seat, there is another set of bleacher that faces the game field that gives you a higher vantage point. If you have kids, take em, they will never forget it, and you will probably be an annual attendee. If you're looking for autographs, buy a football and a few sharpies. Always told my son to let them keep it if they sign, more for everyone with them not grabbing a different marker for every sig. There are a handful of lots around the campus too. Price is the same, if you want to tailgate, throw a few down before you go in, or want to smoke, use these lots, I'm stoked about another year of seeing my team up close and personal. If you have the chance to go, do it. Go Colts!

[Valpo2004]

Uhm no, you gotta bring your own i think.

 

Got it thanks!

 

 

Coffeedrinker, thanks for the kind words. I've lurked around on here for years, and have enjoyed your sense of humor, and your knowledge of the game. Just looking too help a fellow fan out. Looking back I've been really lucky to attend as long as I have. Way too many good stories to post in 1 thread, so I won't.

 

Valpo, I posted what I did earlier too cater to you and your family. Lawn chairs and blanket won't fly in front of the bleachers, but there is ample room on the north side of the practice field. You won't be as close to the field, but your comfort level with 2 toddlers would be good. Don't sweat the bags, take as many as you want, pack em in the strollers if you can't carry them all. It is a very family friendly type of place. If it was me, and it has been, I would take that vacation day or 3, and go during the less crowded practices. It is a much more intimate experience than dealing with a full house.

 

I did want too add a few things for folks who have never been, and don't know what too expect. Get there early if you go, stay late. You will see who is really busting it too make the team. Bleachers are the best seats, grab a 50 yd line seat, there is another set of bleacher that faces the game field that gives you a higher vantage point. If you have kids, take em, they will never forget it, and you will probably be an annual attendee. If you're looking for autographs, buy a football and a few sharpies. Always told my son to let them keep it if they sign, more for everyone with them not grabbing a different marker for every sig. There are a handful of lots around the campus too. Price is the same, if you want to tailgate, throw a few down before you go in, or want to smoke, use these lots, I'm stoked about another year of seeing my team up close and personal. If you have the chance to go, do it. Go Colts!

 

Yeah I know I appreciate it.  We will likely have to sit on the North end of the field so that the toddler can move around a bit.  The baby would probably be cool with sitting still cause she can't crawl yet so if you just let her sit up and see stuff she's pretty cool.  But the 2 year old wants to move.  

 

Will buy a football and bring a Sharpie!

[smalltowncoltsfan]

I gotta say I'm so freaking stoked to go this year be my first time flying all the way out from ca going the 12th 13th 14th hopefully it won't be to pack but I was wondering do they run outta space and are there vip passes you can get where's the best place to get autographs plan on getting a patty mac jersey and a football there and imma be super bummed out if I get it and can't get his autograph

[smalltowncoltsfan]

Also do they have food booths and beer tents

[Valpo2004]

Also do they have food booths and beer tents

 

IDK about beer but I saw on the map they have places for concessions. 

 

But I don't know that they will have alcohol. 

[Susie Q]

IDK about beer but I saw on the map they have places for concessions. 

 

But I don't know that they will have alcohol. 

No Alcohol is allowed at Anderson University. They do have concession stands.  Hope that helps.