Upcoming events at Camp Bayou

The monthly guided canoe tours at Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center continue through the end of the year.

- Saturday, November 22, 9am-11am

- Saturday, December 20, 9am-11am

- A special moonlight tour on Friday, December 5, starting at 5pm.

Reservations are required for all canoe tours. Three-seater canoe rentals are available for $25 each. Bring your own canoe or kayak and join the tour for a $5 donation. Call the office at 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com to make reservations or for more information.

There will be a free teacher workshop on Saturday, December 13 from 9am- 3pm. Activities from FWC's Schoolyard Wild and Schoolyard Ecosystems will be presented. Participants will receive at least 2 curriculum guides at the end of the workshop. Workshop suitable for public and private school teachers, youth group leaders and homeschool parents. For more information, visit http://myfwc.com/education/educators/schoolyard-wildlife.

The next Florida Master Naturalist Program Uplands Module will be held starting on January 31. Reservations are required, with a maximum class of 20 participants. More information, cost and online registration is available at http://masternaturalist.org .

These activities are part of Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, Let's Move Outside,  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 accessible for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, supporters 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 Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum is open most Saturdays- please call before you visit.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), in a public- private partnership with 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.