The Green Bay Packers' Ray Nitschke Field will greet players and fans alike on Thursday afternoon, July 26, for the opening of the 67th edition of training camp, presented by Bellin Health. Twenty practices are scheduled through Aug. 30.
Training camp visitors are encouraged to use http://www.packers.com/trainingcamp for an all-encompassing guide to daily practice schedules, activities schedules and other important information.
According to the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau and a 2010 study by AECOM, training camp, along with Packers Family Night, presented by Bellin Health, will attract an estimated 100,000 visitors from across the nation and as many as 20 foreign countries from July 26 through the final open practice, Aug. 30. With an economic impact estimated at $10 million, training camp is a financial boost to many area businesses.
Nitschke Field will open 90 minutes prior to the scheduled practice time and will close 30 minutes after the completion of practice. Concessions will be available for purchase. Carry-ins are permitted, but should take up no more room than the space below a person's feet. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. More Nitschke Field policies are available online at packers.com/trainingcamp.
The Tundra Tailgate Zone, a free attraction in the parking lot on the stadium's east side, returns to offer fans climate-controlled tents that will house the Packers Experience presented by Kemps. Other attractions will be located outside the tents.
The Packers Experience presented by Kemps, a popular interactive games area that annually draws thousands, returns for a ninth summer. Free to the public, it begins July 26 and runs through Aug. 30. Hours vary each day, based on the practice schedule and are subject to change. It will be closed July 29 and Aug. 4, 8-10, 15-18 and 22-25. All children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the area. A signed waiver of liability by the minor's parent or legal guardian is required upon entering and may be downloaded from http://www.packers.com/trainingcamp.
The Future Lambeau Leapers Autograph Building, presented by **Cleary Building Corp.**,*is designed specifically for fans ages 12 and younger, and is located in the Tundra Tailgate Zone. The area will give kids the chance to meet players, shake their hands and potentially get autographs. Players will appear in the Cleary building on select dates, the first being July 26 after the 8:15 a.m. workout. For a complete list of dates and times, please visit packers.com/trainingcamp and click the "player interaction" tab. TheArise Health Plan Wellness Headquarters* also returns this year as an interactive area to engage fans in healthy living. Other Packers partners will have a presence at camp, too, including: Packer Fan Tours, Packers Pro Shop, the Green Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau, DiGiorno, Chili's, Wendy's and Cost Cutters. A complimentary camp guide will be available daily at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel kiosk near the practice field.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is a popular attraction for training camp attendees. Its extended training camp hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (920/569-7512 hotline). Lambeau Field Stadium Tours feature expanded hours during camp as well (schedules are available online and through the hotline: 920/569-7513). Ticket sales begin at 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sundays. The Legendary Lambeau Experience, a two-hour walking tour, returns this summer. It features stops in the Lee Remmel Press Box, the network TV broadcast booth and the visitors' locker room. Included in the tour is an admission pass to the Packers Hall of Fame, a snack on the tour, a Packers souvenir, and a $5 interactive game card for the Curly's Game Zone at Curly's Pub.
The Packers Pro Shop also features extended training camp hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (8 p.m. on days with night practices) Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (800/992-5750 hotline). Special hours will be in place for Family Night and preseason games. Additionally, the Lambeau Field Atrium will be open to visitors and contains several dining options, including Curly's Pub and Frozen in Time, plus two eateries. Curly's Pub this summer will offer new menu items, including the "Fan vs. Food" combo, which challenges fans to eat a 1 lb. burger, an order of fries and a milkshake to win a victory T-shirt. Check http://www.packers.com/trainingcamp for hours of operation.
A Fan Assistance Kiosk also will be located at Nitschke Field.
