Upcoming events at Camp Bayou

Entries for the Annual Photo contest will be accepted through October 10.

Camp Bayou has several events planned for the next couple months. Be sure to mark your calendar for these activities:

On Saturday, September 19, join us for the International Coastal Cleanup from 8:30am to noon. We will be cleaning trails and waterways so volunteers are needed on foot and by canoe or kayak. Register with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful- http://keeptampabaybeautiful.org . If you miss this volunteer workday, the following Saturday, September 26, is National Public Lands Day. Starting at 9am there's more opportunities to work on trails, native plant nursery, native gardens and more. Call 813-641-8545 to sign up.

On September 19, starting at 7pm, there will be a paddle/hike for International Observe the Moon Night (http://observethemoonnight.org ). Pre-registration is required by calling 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com. Canoe rental is $25 for a 3 person canoe or join us with your own canoe or kayak for a $5 donation. The evening will end with s'mores around the campfire and favorite moon stories from near and far.

Camp Bayou is looking for volunteers to help with nature programs during school field trips. If you like spending time outdoors, observing our natural world and sparking an interest in the science of nature and/or Florida's native people (pre-Columbus), then contact our volunteer coordinator, Jeri Hundertmark, at 813-641-8545 to get started. A Teacher Workshop for new and returning educational volunteers is set for Saturday, October 3 from 9am-noon.

Donations of landscape tools such as weed-eaters, grass clippers, lawn-edger and the like are being sought to help with Center maintenance.

Save the date- Fall Open House, Saturday, October 17 from 9am-1pm. The theme is Nature Crafts with scheduled sessions on making vine wreaths, candle shells, crochet coral and forest-bathing, plus a variety of tables with other great nature crafts. The lunchtime fundraiser will be foods with a nature theme such a 'spider' hot dogs and 'porcupine' meatballs.

These events are a Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, FYCCN, Let's GO- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, 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.