If you're heading out to Camp Cowher, here are some basics you might need to know ...

Kickoff: Camp opens for all players when they must report by 6 p.m., July 28, but practice won't be open to the public until Sunday, July 30. The last open practice of camp is the afternoon of Aug. 23.

Where: St. Vincent College, Route 30, Latrobe. It's the Steelers' 40th summer at the school.

Getting there: From Pittsburgh, take the Parkway East to the Monroeville entrance on the Turnpike. Go east to the Irwin exchange. Take Route 30 East about 15 miles to the St. Vincent College sign on your left. Turn left on Fraser Purchase Road, and the campus is one mile away. From Route 70, exit at New Stanton and take 119 North to Route 30, then head east.

Parking: There's plenty of free parking in the large paved and grass lots across Fraser Purchase Road from the main entrance to St. Vincent College.

Practices: They are open to the public only in the afternoon, normally between 3 and 5 p.m. All practices are held at St. Vincent College except one night practice at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe at 7 p.m. Aug. 2. That practice will begin following a 15-minute autograph session that starts at 6:45. The Steelers will also host "Gatorade Junior Training Camp" that afternoon at Latrobe High School. The non-contact football skills camp for boys and girls 7-14 will run from 3-5 p.m. on an adjacent field. Fans can register at www.steelers.com.Admission for the practice at Latrobe High School is $3 for adults and $1 for children under 18 and senior citizens. Children under 12 will be admitted for free if accompanied by a parent. Tickets will be sold at the gate. Proceeds benefit the Greater Latrobe School District Athletic Program.

Weather and unforeseen circumstances can alter the schedule, particularly if there is a heavy rain, when Bill Cowher might elect to hold practice indoors, which are closed to the public.

Getting around: Campus opens to fans 90 minutes before the start of an open practice. There are restricted areas. An information booth is located near the field, and campus security can answer questions.

Where to watch: The Steelers practice on four fields situated in a natural amphitheater. Fans can watch from the hillsides or along a fence that rings the practice fields.

What to bring: Blanket, lawn chair, binoculars, sunglasses, sunblock, food, kids, soft drinks, water, snacks, still camera, friends, pen, autograph book, a hat.

Refreshments: The St. Vincent snack bar is usually open and there's another refreshment stand inside the Steelers Experience.

Souvenirs: A Steelers merchandise trailer is parked inside the Steelers Experience on the hill above the practice fields.

Banned: Alcohol, drugs, whistles, video cameras, profanity, pets, pests, opponent scouts, whiny Seahawks, bitter Bengals, golf carts of any shape or size (as Joey Porter once learned the hard way).

How to get autographs, photos: The Steelers do not hold an official photo day as they did for years, but they will sign autographs 15 minutes before their Aug. 2 practice at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe. The best time for photos or autographs otherwise is after practice on campus. Some players will ask fans to wait until after they shower. Players and coaches normally are cooperative, but at times they have bad days or were just chewed out by a coach and don't want to be bothered, so be understanding. And it helps if you know the name of the player whom you ask for an autograph.

More information: Steelers offices at UPMC Sports Performance Complex (412-432-7800) and at St. Vincent College (724-539-8515).

-- Ed Bouchette