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Other stories in "Summer"

• Dining in Minnesota lakes country
  In summer, vacation's too short for a bad meal.
• Roadside Distraction
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• Watch out for wild parsnip
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• In Pipestone, an era ends
  After 60 years, town says goodbye to 'Song of Hiawatha' pageant.
• Free weekend in Minnesota
  It's a great time to visit parks and try fishing spots.
• Free weekend in Wisconsin
  It's a great time to try a new park, trail, fishing hole or historic site.
• Free weekends in Wisconsin and Minnesota
  Grab the chance to visit parks, trails, historic sites and fishing spots.
• Stampede to the North Shore
  If you're planning to join the annual fall pilgrimage, nail down lodgings now.
• Step out on National Trails Day
  The time is ripe to hike or bike.
• The buzz on bugs
  Summer is here, and so are the pests.
• Snorkeling the Namekagon
  Face down in the swift, clear Wisconsin river, you'll see why it's a national treasure.
• Where to find mosquito-free camping
  Breathe a sigh of relief in southeast Minnesota.
• On the road in Wisconsin
  Happy discoveries: art pottery, burgers, bike trails and lighthouses.
• Try a new bike trail
  In Minnesota, fresh stretches of trail invite bicycle tourists.
• Fourth of July weekend
  There's a celebration everywhere.

For football fans, a preview

Watching is free and festive at team training camps.

It's that time of year again.

If you're wondering how the Vikings, Packers or Bears will do this year, you can get a preview by watching the players gear up for the season at training camps, which start next week.

Make a day of it, because all of the camps offer festivities, games of skill, giveaways, autograph sessions for kids and even fireworks. Admission is free.

Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis.: The Packers, whose camp Sports Illustrated calls one of the best and most fan-friendly (kids bring bikes that players ride, often toting the kids, to the field), practice across from Lambeau Field July 26-28, July 30-Aug. 3 and Aug. 5-7, 11-14, 19-21 and 26-28.

Family Night is Aug. 3, $10. Fans also can visit the Packers Hall of Fame and tour Lambeau Field. The complex is in the middle of Green Bay, at Lombardi Avenue and South Oneida Street.

For more about visiting Green Bay, see Packer country.

Minnesota Vikings in Mankato, Minn.: The Vikings will hold practices on the campus of Minnesota State University, an hour and a half south of the Twin Cities, July 27-28, July 30-Aug. 4 and Aug. 6-8 and 12-15.

Special events include Family Football Day Aug. 4. In the evening, players and coaches will introduce themselves and fans will have a chance to catch an autographed mini-football. The team introduction will be followed by fireworks. 

Free junior training-camp clinics are Aug. 4 and 7.

Aug. 14 is Fan Appreciation Day, with prizes for fans and the entire team available for autographs. On other days, only certain squads are available in the Autograph Zone.

At Viking Village, fans can buy team souvenirs, food and beer.

MSU's Blakeslee Stadium and fan parking, $7, is on the south edge of town at Warren Street and Stadium Road.

For more about visiting Mankato, see Mankato meander.

Chicago Bears in Bourbonnais, Ill.: The Bears will hold practices on the campus of Olivet Navarene University, about an hour south of Chicago, July 26-29, July 31-Aug. 2 and Aug. 5-7, 11-14 and 16.

At Family Fest, Aug. 3, they'll practice at Soldier Field in Chicago, $8.

Other special events include Hispanic Day, July 29; Youth Football Day, Aug. 5; Ladies Day, Aug. 7; Run With Staley, the Bears' mascot, Aug. 11; Armed Forces Day, Aug. 12; and Family Night at ONU, with giveaways, entertainment, training camps and fireworks, Aug. 13.

A Kids Zone has games, and on most days, children 4-12 can attend Junior Training Camps an hour before practice, enter a Staley poster contest and get a pass for autograph sessions.

Last updated on July 29, 2012