Thread: Chicago Bears Training Camp Schedule for 2012 (can we sticky this?)

I can't wait

LINK to the Chicago Bears Training Camp Page

TRAINING CAMP OFFERS MORE THAN PRACTICE

Whether you're a hardcore football nut, or you just want to give the family a Bears experience they'll never forget, Bears training camp in Bourbonnais is the place to be!

THEME DAYS AT CAMP

• Comcast Hispanic Day
• Movie Night at ONU
• Family Fest at Soldier Field
• Walgreens Youth Football Day
• Ladies Day
• Subway Run with Staley
• Armed Forces Day
• Bears Family Night at ONU
• Jewel-Osco Kids Zone
• Kids Only Autographs

For the 11th consecutive year, training camp will be held on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. Located about 60 miles south of Chicago, the site provides the Bears with four practice fields, air conditioned locker rooms, dining facilities, a weight room, meeting rooms and dorms for players, staff and media.

As always, RC Cola Chicago Bears Training Camp presented by Chase will allow fans an opportunity to watch the team practice for FREE. Gates will open one hour prior to the start of all practice sessions. Training Camp provides a family-friendly atmosphere, which includes the Jewel-Osco Inflatable Kids Zone, Junior Training Camps (*On Select Days Only), Kids Only Autograph Sessions (*On Select Days Only), giveaways, games and much more.

Theme days and special events this year will include the familiar Armed Forces Day, Comcast Hispanic Night, Family Night at ONU, Comcast Bears Family Fest at Soldier Field presented by Chase, Subway Run with Staley and Walgreens Youth Football Day.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE | FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is a training camp primer for those who will be going for the 1st time:

LINK to the article

Bourbonnais-Bound


Bears Fans Guide to Training Camp

[IMG]http://media.nbcchicago.com/images/620*349/120524023.jpg[/IMG]

BOURBONNAIS, IL - AUGUST 06: Fans of the Chicago Bears watch a summer training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University on August 6, 2011 in Bourbonnais, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears start training camp on Wednesday. (Hooray!) It's a worthwhile experience for fans to take the trip down I-57, but you should read our tips before you go.

• Allow plenty of time to get to Bourbonnais. I-57 is under construction, and exits around Bourbonnais will be closed. Check for alternates before you leave the house so you can win an argument with your GPS.
  

• Drink water, eat enough food, and wear sunblock. Ensure your children do the same. It's been crazy hot in Chicago this summer and there are few places to avoid the sun at training camp. You want your trip to see the Bears to be enjoyable, and not end with a trip to the emergency room.

• Take advantage of the different themed events. The Bears have special nights for Armed Forces, families, and other groups. Check the schedule here. And while we're on the subject ...

• Check the practice schedule before you go. Some practices are in the afternoon, some are at night, and some are closed. See the schedule before you go so.

• Adjust your expectations on autographs. If you head to Bourbonnais with the goal of only getting a Jay Cutler autograph, your trip has a pretty good shot at not going well. Though Cutler -- and Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher and all of the Bears stars -- have a good record of talking to fans, there is also no telling if their days will allow for much autograph signing. They may have meetings, media obligations, or even a bad day at practice keeping them from the autograph line.

If you are too worried about just seeing a star, you may miss out on a great experience with a less-known player. When I took my nephew to training camp a few years ago, we were entertained as Alex Brown took a fan's camera to give her a ton of shots from his perspective. Tommie Harris engaged the two sides of the autograph line in a chant, gave away his gloves and shoes to a young fan, then took Greg Olsen's gloves off his hands to give away, too. If all were worried about was seeing Urlacher, we would have missed out on the fun.

• Line up early for autographs. If you wait until practice is over you won't get a spot on the line.

• Don't be the adult who cuts in front a kid for an autograph. Seriously, don't be that guy or girl. It's gross.

LINK to the article
Bears training camp primer

First practice is 2:30 p.m. Thursday


The Bears will open their 11th summer training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., with the first practice at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.


It is the first of 15 practices that will be open to the public through Aug. 16.


Gates open one hour before the start of practices and parking is free. Tailgating is permitted in the parking lots but keep in mind ONU is an alcohol- and tobacco-free campus.


There isn't much shade around the practice fields so plan accordingly with sun block. Family Night will be held Monday, Aug. 13 at Soldier Field, with a fireworks show following practice.


For a complete schedule, see the team's website: http://www.chicagobears.com/team/Tra...mpSchedule.asp.
Practice dates and times are subject to change.

Tomorrow is opening day for the public. Anyone else headed there? I'm planning on making the annual pilgrimage with family and friends. Can't wait.

Mods, we can probably delete or archive this thread now that camp is over.