Camp Bayou workshops- Crafting Naturally

Crafting Naturally Workshops Don't let the summer heat stop you from enjoying the wonders of nature! Throughout the summer, Camp Bayou will present "Crafting Naturally" workshops each Friday starting June 4 from 9:30-10:30am. Each session, held in the air-conditioned classroom, will introduce one or more craft techniques using or highlighting a natural element. Crafts are varied and will interest participants with skill levels from beginner to intermediate. Advanced crafters are welcome to attend to share their knowledge and expertise. Since there will be at least two crafts offered each session, one geared for kids and the other for adults, this workshop is appropriate for crafters aged 5 to 95. A one-time donation of $5 helps pay for craft supplies then come to one or all of the summer sessions. June's schedule of crafts: June 4- grape (and other vine) wreaths and pine cone feeder/ornaments June 11- cross-stitch jelly jar lids and twig picture frames June 18- crazy quilt squares and pressed flower notepad June 25- natural dyed fabric and beaded bracelets Check the calendar at http://www.campbayou.org/ for future session themes or click here for July schedule. Crafters will be invited to display and/or sell their creations at our Holiday Open House to be held on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Participation in the Open House is not required but encouraged. Crafts not really your style? There will be a photography contest this year with winning photos displayed at the Open House and other venues around South Hillsborough. Look for last year's winners in a display at the SouthShore Regional Library starting in June. Rules and details will be announced in the near future. For information on any of the programs at Camp Bayou contact Dolly at campbayou@yahoo.com or call 813-363-5438. Camp Bayou is nether a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the RCDF offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks. General admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ###

Recycling our cans

Made the trek to Patriot Metals in Gibsonton this week to bring nearly a year's worth of aluminum cans that we've accumulated at Camp Bayou. These cans came from events, cleanups (some cans were pretty old...) and member donations. Total weight is 34 lbs and yielded just under $16 in cash. Doesn't sound like much but there was little effort needed other than designating a spot for collecting cans, loading them into my truck, driving it about 10 miles north to Gibsonton, and unloading into the can cage- all taking no more than half an hour. The truck could have handled at least twice that much.

If you put your recycled cans at the curb, perhaps you might consider dropping them off at Camp Bayou instead, to make your donation to next year's trek!

work day- Giant's cabins

Giant's cabin renovation progresses The Giant's cabins that were transported to Camp Bayou last August are getting some serious renovations. Work crews meet periodically as available to remove rotted wood, increase supports where needed, replace doors and windows and eventually paint in preparation for a special open house some time in the future. If you'd like to volunteer to help during one or more Saturday morning workdays, please contact Dolly at campbayou@yahoo.com or call 813-641-8545. When leaving a message, be sure to mention 'cabin renovation', your name, phone, email if possible and construction skills if any. Stop by on a Saturday to pick up a volunteer form and check out the current condition of the cabins.  Camp Bayou is nether a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the RCDF offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks. General admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ### Photo caption: On May 1, over 20 volunteers joined forces to complete several tasks at Camp Bayou, which included work on the Giant's Fishing Cabins. Photo credit: Camp Bayou

Recruiting organizations and Save the Dates

Camp Bayou is making plans for 3 upcoming events. We are seeking environmental and/or science related organizations to participate in these events to help us provide a well-rounded experience for our visitors. For each event, we will provide a table and chair, a prime location on the 'Lawn' to display your information and/or activities (sales are permitted if % is donated to Camp Bayou) and recognition of your participation in all publicity (if your participation is confirmed at least one month before the event).Please contact Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com for more information and/or registration form if you are interested. The dates of these events with short blurb about them:

1. Saturday, August 7, 2010, 9am-12pm- "Back to School, Back to Nature": a morning of hands-on fun getting back to nature while getting the kids ready for back to school. Organizations need to have a quick nature-related activity for the kids. If you can provide a back to school item that would be wonderful, if not we will assign you an item to distribute. Click here for a summary of last year's event.

2. Saturday, October 23, 2010, 9am-2pm- US Science and Engineering Festival Satellite event: A celebration of science held on the same weekend that thousands of people will celebrate science in the National Mall- http://www.usasciencefestival.org . The theme for the Camp Bayou event is Citizen Science, similar to our Symposium held in 2009.

3. Saturday, December 4, 2010, 9am-2pm- Holiday Open House- more celebrations of the natural world around us. This is a looser event, with the very broad goal of introducing people new to the outdoors and rekindling previous relationships (I remember when I was a kid I used to...). There is also a photo contest, member BBQ and this year we will be trying to attract some nature-based craft vendors in the holiday spirit. .

We also welcome event volunteers who love nature and like sharing that love with others. Duties may include assisting with trail walks, activities, registration, etc. Contact Dolly for more information and a volunteer form- campbayou@gmail.com .

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://campbayou.org/ .

A rare meeting in space

Something special is happening this weekend. Venus and the Moon are gathering for a sunset conjunction on Saturday and Sunday, May 15th and 16th. On the same nights, the ISS is going to be flying over many US towns and cities. And if space shuttle Atlantis launches on schedule--wow! People could witness a rare meeting of the shuttle, station, Venus and the Moon. Details and observing tips may be found in today's story from Science@NASA.

FULL STORY at Science @NASA : http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/13may_planetsandspaceships/

On the trail...

This 'on the trail' is actually right at the entry to the native camp. A beautiful gray fox trotted out from under the deck in front of the classroom then, very calmly, looked back to see what all the commotion was as several people reached for their cameras. Quite accommodating of him/her to pose for a picture. You never know who might cross your path at Camp Bayou...

Deepwater Horizon contacts

Announcement from FWC:

On Tuesday, April 20, an offshore oil-drilling platform, Deepwater Horizon, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana. The rig, owned by Transocean Ltd, was under contract to British Petroleum (BP).

Submerged at the bottom of the Gulf, the rig continues to discharge up to 5,000 barrels (210,000 gallons) per day. BP, the United States Coast Guard and the Minerals Management Service are the lead response agencies on the oil spill. For information, please visit http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/.

In Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida's shoreline.

From FWC press release at http://www.myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/Resources/News_Resources_OilSpill_Index.htm

The FWC’s regional offices are inventorying equipment available for the response, so they can quickly mobilize when needed. This includes trucks, trailers, ATVs, boats and other equipment, as well as personnel.
For more information, call the Florida State Emergency Information Line at 800-342-3557. Other important numbers include:
To report oiled wildlife, call 866-557-1401
To discuss spill-related damage, call 800-440-0858
To report oiled shoreline, call 866-448-5816
To request volunteer information, call 866-448-5816

Updated contact numbers- 7/15/10:
If you see tar or oiled debris on the beach, call 1-877-389-8932 or dial #DEP from your cell phone.
DO NOT touch oiled or injured wildlife. Report it to 1-866-557-1401.
EVERYONE is advised to AVOID contact with tar balls or oiled debris on the beach.