Santana Dotson doesn't need to look at a calendar to know that training camp is open.

Six years removed from his final season as a pro football player, Dotson can recognize the telltale sign that a new season is starting.

"It's the smell of fresh-cut grass that always gets me," the former Green Bay defensive lineman said last week while attending ceremonies surrounding former teammate LeRoy Butler's induction in the Packers Hall of Fame.

"In the middle of July, I smell that grass and I know that it's getting close. My wife thinks I'm crazy. But, I can just tell. That smell makes me think of football."

Football is in the air again in Wisconsin.

The Packers' 62nd training camp opened on Saturday and runs through August as the team prepares for its season opener against Philadelphia Sept. 9 at Lambeau Field.

In recent years, Packers pre-season workouts have become a popular destination for fans and tourists. According to the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau, more than 100,000 spectators from around the nation and as many as 20 foreign countries watch practice and pump an estimated $60 million into the local economy.

More than two dozen Packers practices will be open to the public this season. If you're planning on making the trip to Green Bay, here are some hints that may help. Be sure and visit the team's official camp site -- packerstrainingcamp.com - - for schedule information and news updates.

Practice schedule: In good weather, the Packers practice at Hinkle Field, located just west of the Don Hutson Center adjacent to Oneida St. Bleacher seating for roughly 600 people is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking is available in the Lambeau Field lot, where tailgating is permitted. Food and beverages are available for purchase near the practice field.

Practices will be conducted in full pads or "shells," which are smaller shoulder pads worn with helmets and shorts. Second-year coach Mike McCarthy's schedule differs from that of his predecessors. Rather than having a morning and late-afternoon practice each day, McCarthy rotates the workouts. Two-a-day workouts are often followed by a single practice the next day. On three Wednesdays during camp, McCarthy will conduct film study and meetings instead of on-field work.

The Packers and other NFL teams must reach a 75-man roster limit at 3 p.m. Aug. 28. The final cut to 53 players must be made by 5 p.m. Sept. 1. The day following the final cut, teams can establish an eight-man practice squad.
Here is the practice schedule for camp. Times are subject to change:

Mon., July 30 -- 2 p.m. (full pads).

Tues., July 31 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads at City Stadium - East High School).

Wed., Aug. 1 -- No practice.

Thurs., Aug. 2 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads).

Fri., Aug. 3 -- 2 p.m. (full pads)

Sat., Aug. 4 -- Family Night scrimmage, 6:30 p.m. (full pads)

Sun., Aug. 5 -- No practice.

Mon., Aug. 6 -- 2 p.m. (full pads).

Tues., Aug. 7 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads).

Wed., Aug. 8 -- No practice.

Thurs., Aug. 9 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads).

Fri., Aug. 10 -- No public practice.

Sat., Aug. 11 -- Preseason game at Pittsburgh, 6:30 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 12 -- No practice.

Mon., Aug. 13 -- 2 p.m. (pads/shells).

Tues., Aug. 14 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads)

Wed., Aug. 15 -- No practice.

Thurs., Aug. 16 -- 8:45 a.m. (shells); 6:30 p.m. (full pads).

Fri., Aug. 17 -- No public practice.

Sat., Aug. 18 -- Preseason game vs. Seattle, 7 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 19 -- No practice.

Mon., Aug. 20 -- 6:30 p.m. (shells)

Tues., Aug. 21 -- 10:45 a.m. (pads/shells)

Wed., Aug. 22 -- No public practice.

Thurs., Aug. 23 -- Preseason game vs. Jacksonville, 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 24 -- No practice.

Sat., Aug. 25 -- No practice.

Sun., Aug. 26 -- 10:45 a.m. (full pads)

Mon., Aug. 27 -- 10:45 a.m. (full pads)

Tues., Aug. 28 -- 10 a.m. (shells)

Wed., Aug. 29 -- No practice.

Thurs., Aug. 30 -- Preseason game at Tennessee, 7 p.m.

Remaining practices are closed to the public.

Here is a look at other attractions surrounding training camp:

The Packers Experience: A popular interactive games area that annually draws thousands, returns for a fourth summer at Lambeau Field. Free to the public, it begins July 27 and runs through Aug. 17. Running until dusk each evening, the Packers Experience will open at 8:30 a.m. the days with a morning practice and 11 a.m. the days with only an afternoon practice. On days without a practice (July 27 and Aug. 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17) it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be open for Family Night from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed for game days Aug. 11 and 18. All children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the Packers Experience area. A signed waiver of liability by the minor's parent or legal guardian is required upon entering and may be downloaded from www.packerstrainingcamp.com and signed in advance to present upon entering.

Future Lambeau Leapers: This area, designed specifically for fans ages 12 and younger, gives kids the chance to meet players, shake their hands, and potentially get autographs after practice. The area made its debut in 2006, replacing the formal autograph tables the Packers previously used. It will be located on the south side of the Oneida Nation Gate at Lambeau Field. Eight to 10 players will appear in the area for approximately 20 or 30 minutes following the first practice of the day (either the 8:45 a.m. or 2 p.m. workout). The team's security department will closely monitor and facilitate the area.

The Packers Hall of Fame: More than 20,000 fans went through the Hall during camp in 2006 and saw 25,000 square feet of Packers historical exhibits that include jerseys, movies and a recreation of coach Vince Lombardi's office. The Hall is open extended training camp hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 6-11 and free for children under six.

Stadium Tours: A popular attraction during camp, tours of Lambeau Field run every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Ticket sales begin at 8 a.m. The tours last about one hour. Tickets cost $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children 6-11. Adults can purchase a combination Hall of Fame pass / Lambeau Field tour ticket for $19.

Packers Pro Shop: One of the busier stores in state extends its hours during training camp. It's open 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. on weekends.