Back to School- Back to Nature

Camp Bayou's 8th Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event will be held on Saturday, August 1 from 9am- noon. The event is Free. Registered families can visit several nature stations where they will learn something about frogs, fossils, forests or other natural topics. Registration is requested but FREE online at www.campbayou.org .

Enjoy the Florida outdoors while learning about the wonderful types of nature around us everyday! Before leaving each station, children will be given a free school supply item! For a possible extra bonus, children will be given a free raffle ticket after their family signs in at the registration table. Tickets will be drawn every 30 minutes for other items, including backpacks, journals, lunch bags, and more.

There will be a Teacher Resource Exchange- an area for educators to leave materials they no longer need or pick up something new. A preview Teacher Workshop at 10am will introduce one activity from each of the various environmental education guides. Teachers can also learn about field trips to the Nature Center or Fossil Museum, upcoming teacher professional workshops, Florida Master Naturalist Program, League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) regional information and annual conference. Teachers who sign up for the e-newsletter will receive a goody bag of items to help in the classroom.

Organizations that will be participating in this year's event include:

Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation
Florida Aquarium
Little Manatee River State Park
Florida Forestry Service
Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful
Girl Scout Troop 349
Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum
Florida Master Naturalist Program
League of Environmental Educators in Florida

A drink cooler will be on hand to help keep participants hydrated with free cups of water, compliments of Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD) plus information about Center programs, photo contest, activities and events.

New this year, a guided canoe trip will begin at noon, weather permitting. Canoe rentals are $25 for a 3 seater canoe. If you own a canoe or kayak, you can join us for just a $5 donation per person. Call 813-641-8545 to reserve your space.

Camp Bayou is still accepting donations of school supplies or cash to purchase them. Your donation allows the Center to continue to provide these types of events for free. Expected attendance is approximately 200 children. Please contact 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com to arrange a drop off or pick up.

This event is a Summer Learning Day, Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, FYCCN, Let's GO- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Plutopalooza and Let's Move Outside inspired initiative.

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-scheduled 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. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.