Camp Bayou this Fall

Nothing is normal these days but Camp Bayou is adjusting to the challenges.

Our Observe the Moon Night paddle this year will be limited to 8 individuals- Saturday, Sept. 26 starting at 7pm. Email campbayou@gmail.com to register and secure space for your canoe or kayak. Canoes or kayaks are available for rental for just $25 each or bring your own canoe or kayak for a small donation of $5 each.

Cart tours have returned! Reservations for Saturday morning rides along the trails can be made by emailing campbayou@gmail.com.

Third Saturday canoe day tours continue this fall. Check the online calendar for days and times. Paddlers should arrive at Camp Bayou by 8:45am. Canoes or kayaks are available for rental for just $25 each or bring your own canoe or kayak for a small donation of $5 each. Register for all paddle trips by calling the office at 813-641-8545 or emailing campbayou@gmail.com.

Camp Bayou has started a video series so folks can get a glimpse of all Camp Bayou has to offer... with plenty of space to maintain social distancing. Check out the Camp Bayou YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/campbayou . In addition to videos, the Camp Bayou wiki has instructional activities that range from plants to animals to Native American culture. More items will be added as the year progresses.

Youth programs are still being offered although the number of students allowed per day has been reduced. Camp Bayou has a number of responsible social distancing practices in place. You can see all the changes in our Summer e-newsletter at campbayou.org . 

Camp Bayou has also upgraded our Little Free Library. In addition to the free books for folks to read, we've added vouchers that can be redeemed in our visitor's center for a free school supply item. The annual Back to School event that we normally hold each August was cancelled this year so this provides a place to offer some  necessary school supplies for the current school year.

Cleanup days are still needed. The entire month of September is designated for individual cleanups through Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful. Register online and perhaps pick Camp Bayou as your cleanup site. Trash never ends, unfortunately, so our dedicated volunteers are always needed.

For those who are interested in helping with registered groups, Camp Bayou is looking for enthusiastic volunteers who love the outdoors and want to pass along that passion to others through hands-on activities, walks and canoe tours. Contact Becki at 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com. We are mainly looking for folks to help teach school groups K-6 but there are other opportunities as well.

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 Conservation & Environmental Lands Management. 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 website at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

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