Camp Bayou Fall Open House October 26

Kids have lots to discover at Camp Bayou's Fall Open House!

Camp Bayou Fall Open House

Saturday, October 26, 2012
9am-1pm
FREE family-friendly event
Registration not required but appreciated

The theme, 'Fearlessly Facing the Forest', showcases a variety of forest inhabitants and their stomping grounds, while highlighting those amazing critters in your own backyard. Throughout the morning, there will be several activity tables set up for the Creature Scavenger Hunt, some with live critters to handle, such as millipedes and ant lions. Activities, crafts and games will be paired with a variety of October themes- Viva Florida 500 (Florida history), Ada Lovelace Day (celebrating female scientists), National Food Day and National Neighborwoods Month. Other non-profits, such as Florida Public Archaeology Network, Girl Scouts of West-Central Florida, Cub Scout Pack 662, Eagle Audubon Society and the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum will be also be offering nature-based activities.

Schedule:
9am- Photo Trail Walk w/ Becki - Join National Geographic's Great Nature Photo Project: http://www.greatnatureproject.org
9:30am- Instructables: Let's make... Rainbarrels w/ Frank; learn how to make a rainbarrel from 'found' objects or make a donation to receive a complete kit
10am- Birds of Prey w/ Pat Bradley, Boyd Hill volunteer
10:30am- Weather Talk w/ Rick Davis, National Weather Service in Ruskin
11am- Little Free Library. Story-time circle introduces Camp Bayou's Little Free Library- take a book, leave a book.
11:30am- Species Walk. Make an animal mask in the morning or wear your Halloween costume, then join others in a guided tour along the trails and through the old fishing cabins.
Noon- National Food Day Buffet- Good-for-you-food is on the menu- fresh smoked turkey, assorted veggies, salad, fruit and beverage, for just $7 a person.
12:30pm- National Neighborwoods Month Tree Planting. Replant trees to replace diseased oak that provided shade in 'lawn' area.

Activity tables will stay open until 1pm.

The winning entries for the 2013 Photo Contest will be on display at the Fall Open House. There is still time to submit those perfect nature photos taken at Camp Bayou. Deadline is Saturday, Oct 19. For information contact campbayou@gmail.com or call 813-641-8545.

Lunch made possible in part by Sweetbay Supermarket in Ruskin.

These activities are part of Viva Florida 500, Finding Ada Day, National Neighborwoods Month, National Food Day, Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, Let's Move Outside, , Make a Difference Day,  inspired initiatives.

Camp Bayou is neither 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 Center 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.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the newly created, non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), in a public- private partnership with 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.
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