Camp Bayou falls into Fall

Camp Bayou is grateful to have a fund that was created a few years ago to get kids outdoors who would not otherwise be able to afford it. It is Joanie’s Student Nature Learning Fund which was created in memory of the donor's sister-in-law who was a teacher who loved to share her love of learning outdoors with her students.

The fund currently would cover a school group of up to 80 kids (our maximum number per day). It is available to Title 1 schools only, grades K-6, in Hillsborough County. The funds do not cover the cost of busing or lunch. If a teacher or administrator from a Title 1 school is interested in this opportunity, please fill out the form at http://bit.ly/CampBayoustudentfund . If anyone is interested in contributing to keep this fund going, donations can be made online .

Camp Bayou is participating in the International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 16 starting at 8:30am. Interested volunteers should sign up at http://www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org . Want more volunteer opportunities? Join the Camp Bayou BioBlitz on National Public Lands Day, September 30, starting at 9am. Bring your iNaturalist app-enabled smartphone to take photos of the flora and fauna at Camp Bayou. How many species, do you think, can be found?

Camp Bayou is continuing its First Saturday Nature Topics through the end of the year. October's topic is "Fall Birding" with Mr. James Lingle on October 7. This will be a nice introductory birding opportunity before the Florida Birding and Nature Festival, Oct 13-15 at HCC Southshore in Ruskin. Camp Bayou will be conducting the Kid's Sessions at the Festival on Saturday, Oct 14 from 10am-4pm. Interested parents should register their children online- FREE- at http://bit.ly/kidsessionreg .

Canoe tours continue through the year on the third Saturday, starting at 9am. A special 'Observe the Moon Night paddle' is scheduled for October 28 starting at 6:30pm. Please register for all paddle tours- 813-641-8545. Canoe- and now kayaks!- can be rented for $25 each or bring your own with just a $5 donation.

Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center 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, supporters and grants, the managing non-profit- B.O.L.D. - offers pre-registered programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families. Monthly canoe tours are now available by reservation only. Check the online calendar for trip dates. The Center is 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 Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (B.O.L.D.), 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. Check out the Camp Bayou Facebook page and for more information visit the webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-
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