Back to School- Back to Nature- Saturday, August 3

 The 16th Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event will be held this year on August 3 from 9am-noon! As always, the event is free. Stop by a table to learn something new about nature and receive a free school supply item, while supplies last. A free raffle for all children will offer larger prizes such as backpacks, tents, journals and more. Other organizations that are participating this year include: Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum, Florida Forest Service, TECO Manatee Viewing Center, Little Manatee River State Park, Scout Pack 609, Troop 606 and Girl Scout troop 30349.

Camp Bayou continues to offer day paddle trips on the first and third Saturdays each month at 9am.  The tour is $25 if you need to use one of our canoes or kayaks and $5 if you bring your own. Registration required- call 813-641-8545.

Save the dates- 

Saturday, September 14- 7pm- Annual International Observe the Moon night paddle. Explore the Little Manatee River after dark- without flashlights! 

Our Halloween Hike will be held on Saturday, October 5 starting at 6pm. First walks will be for the young ones, learning about our native nocturnal wildlife. The 7pm and later walks will be stories about past misadventures at Camp Bayou and the spirits who can't rest. Then join us by the campfire for s'mores!

Registration for both events will open in September.

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, as well as help with maintenance and exhibits. Contact Becki at 813-641-8545 or fill out the form at campbayou.org. 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. The Center is open from Thursday- Sunday 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.