Chiefs Fans Try to Beat the Heat at Family Fun Day
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: August 15, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) The afternoon heat didn't stop Chiefs fans from having a fun day.
Thousands flocked to Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University on Aug. 4 to experience the Chiefs Training Camp in a family-friendly atmosphere.
One family, the Starecks, traveled from Wichita, Kan. to watch their favorite team.
They spent most of the afternoon next to a shed, trying to keep the littlest member of the family comfortable.
"She was getting upset so we had to find some shade," Jennifer Stareck said.
Stareck says her one-year-old daughter, Kinley, usually tolerates the outdoors.
"Today, she didn't take a nap so it's even worse," Stareck said.
Kinley was just one of the more than 7,000 people in Spratt Stadium for Family Fun Day. That number doubled from last year.
From face painting and moon bouncing to rock wall climbing, there was no shortage of activities.
Those not paying attention to practice still kept busy, and walked away with souvenirs.
St. Joseph native, Josh Scott, helped his kids unload their goodie bags full of Chiefs gear.
"It's fun. There's even stuff for kids to do, and I'm showing support for the Kansas City Chiefs," Scott said.
Families were going to extremes to beat the heat. One family even brought a tent to shield some sunlight.
Emergency responders at Chiefs Training Camp say staying cool is crucial.
"The increased humidity raised the heat index. People need to hydrate well. Use available shade and mist tents," Wally Patrick, Emergency Management Coordinator for Heartland Regional Health said.
Patrick says medical teams treated 19 people for heat-related incidents throughout the day. Four, with more serious conditions, were transported to the hospital.
"The busiest day of camp is usually Family Fun Day, and it happened to be a warm day. Those two came together to make for more visits," he said.
First responders say hydration should be a top priority for people of all ages, especially in this heat.
The Chiefs have scheduled a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. It will be open to the public.
Thousands flocked to Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University on Aug. 4 to experience the Chiefs Training Camp in a family-friendly atmosphere.
One family, the Starecks, traveled from Wichita, Kan. to watch their favorite team.
They spent most of the afternoon next to a shed, trying to keep the littlest member of the family comfortable.
"She was getting upset so we had to find some shade," Jennifer Stareck said.
Stareck says her one-year-old daughter, Kinley, usually tolerates the outdoors.
"Today, she didn't take a nap so it's even worse," Stareck said.
Kinley was just one of the more than 7,000 people in Spratt Stadium for Family Fun Day. That number doubled from last year.
From face painting and moon bouncing to rock wall climbing, there was no shortage of activities.
Those not paying attention to practice still kept busy, and walked away with souvenirs.
St. Joseph native, Josh Scott, helped his kids unload their goodie bags full of Chiefs gear.
"It's fun. There's even stuff for kids to do, and I'm showing support for the Kansas City Chiefs," Scott said.
Families were going to extremes to beat the heat. One family even brought a tent to shield some sunlight.
Emergency responders at Chiefs Training Camp say staying cool is crucial.
"The increased humidity raised the heat index. People need to hydrate well. Use available shade and mist tents," Wally Patrick, Emergency Management Coordinator for Heartland Regional Health said.
Patrick says medical teams treated 19 people for heat-related incidents throughout the day. Four, with more serious conditions, were transported to the hospital.
"The busiest day of camp is usually Family Fun Day, and it happened to be a warm day. Those two came together to make for more visits," he said.
First responders say hydration should be a top priority for people of all ages, especially in this heat.
The Chiefs have scheduled a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. It will be open to the public.
