Media release- teacher workshop, Camp Bayou

Free Fire Curriculum and Workshops for Educators   Fire in Florida 's Ecosystems (FIFE) is a curriculum and educator  training program that gives teachers the information and tools to teach students in grades 3-12 about fire's natural role in Florida .    Curriculum: 13 hands on activities that use fire to teach core concepts in science, math, social studies, and language arts. Each activity is correlated to the Next Generation State Standards and includes FCAT prep questions. FIFE is a program of the Florida Division of Forestry that is implemented by Pandion Systems, Inc.   Workshop date & time:  Saturday, May 21, 2011, 9:00 am–3:00 pm Workshop location:   Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, 4140 24th St SE, Ruskin , FL 33570. Contact: Deborah Theisen (813) 907-1398 or DRTheisen@verizon.net for information and to register.   More Info:  Go to the website www.fireinflorida.org     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 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ### Photo: Prescribed burn at Camp Bayou 2007 Photo credit: Dolly Cummings   Dolly Cummings Homepage: www.campbayou.org Blog: campbayou.blogspot.com Follow: twitter.com/campbayou Cause-shopping: www.igive.com/campbayou And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

media release- Camp Bayou, Ruskin

Fun with Frogs in Florida: A Save the Frogs Day Event   Children and adults are invited to spend a fun, casual evening in a beautiful Florida setting learning about frogs and their importance to Florida and the rest of the world.  This Save the Frogs Day event is Friday, April 29 from 5-8 pm at Camp Bayou and includes frog activities, a presentation and night hike.  Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.   Pre-registration is appreciated at www.WanderingWhimsy.com.  A suggested donation of $5 per person will equally benefit Camp Bayou and Save the Frogs, America's first and only public charity dedicated exclusively to amphibian conservation.    Contact SavingFrogsFL@verizon.net or (813) 469-0472 with questions.  Visit www.CampBayou.org for directions.   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 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ### Dolly Cummings Homepage: www.campbayou.org Blog: campbayou.blogspot.com Follow: twitter.com/campbayou Cause-shopping: www.igive.com/campbayou And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

Craig Tufts Environmental Education Award

The Craig Tufts Environmental Education Award provides a scholarship to a participant between the ages of 8-18 and an accompanying adult. It provides travel, room and board, and program fees. They are now accepting applications for the 2011 Summit scholarship.

Applications are due March 31, 2011 by 5pm in your time zone.
How to Apply:
Applicant will submit an original essay that addresses the following:
What are your favorite outdoor or nature-related activities?

Describe a memorable outdoor or nature-related experience and the impact it had on you.

What aspects of the Family Summit program are you most interested in and why?

Describe why attending a week-long adventure camp would be important to you and how you would share your experience with others.

Each essay MUST:
Be accompanied by a completed application form

Be written by the applicant (not a parent or guardian)

Be no more than three pages, double-spaced (about 750 words)

Be typed in a 12-point font or legibly hand-written

Nominations may be emailed to Tuftsaward@nwf.org or fax: 703-438-6468 or

mailed: Craig Tufts Educational Award Nominations
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190

All mailed nominations must be postmark by March 31st for consideration

For more info visit: http://www.familysummits.org/craigtufts.php

media release- Camp Bayou Ruskin

Magiscope Inventor Dennis Brock to Hold Homeschool Workshop   Students and their parents or guardians are invited to spend an afternoon with Magiscope inventor Dennis Brock, discussing and exploring how to look at nature from a different perspective.  This free educational event is Wednesday, March 2 from 12noon-2pm at Camp Bayou.   Registration is required and space is limited.  Students are welcome to bring their own samples for exploring.  If you are considering making a Magiscope or accessories purchase, you may visit www.Magiscope.com, and email your interest to Jill at jill20@gmail.com to ensure items are available the day of the workshop.   To register, please contact Deborah at DRTheisen@verizon.net or (813) 907-1398.  Please include your name, the names and ages of children, email address and phone number.  Visit www.CampBayou.org for directions.   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 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ###

Youth Art Contest

OK, maybe not a mermaid but perhaps a manatee!

Teachers/Students Encouraged to Participate in Youth Art Contest


Deadline: March 15, 2011

Elementary, middle, and high school teachers are encouraged to have their students participate in the Endangered Species Youth Art Contest, an integral part of the sixth annual national Endangered Species Day, celebrated on and around May 20, 2011. Winners will be chosen in four categories: Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, and will receive plaques and art supply gift certificates. Teachers of the winning students will also receive gift certificates for classroom art supplies. For more information, judging criteria, and entry form, visit:  http://www.endangeredspeciesday.org/