Camp Bayou gets ready for summer!

There's lots of sun and fun this season as Camp Bayou gets ready for summer!

Saturday, June 1 is National Trails Day. There will be cart tours, scavenger hunts and other activities. New this year is our guided Fern Walk, starting at 9:00am. Explore the wild west side of Camp Bayou, for a trail that is less traveled. No registration necessary. An 8am Fun Run will hit the trails for an easy 5K. Registration requested online (https://forms.gle/bVvX2HR3vqdvEMzY7) Those who complete the run will be treated to ice cold watermelon slices as a reward.

The Third Saturday Paddle Tours continue through the summer, as weather conditions allow. Be sure to reserve your space if you wish to join the group- just call 813-641-8545. You can rent a canoe or kayak for just $25 or bring your own for a $5 donation. Please arrive by 9:00am for a 90 minute tour.

Save the Date: Saturday, August 3, 2019 is our annual Back to School- Back to Nature event, 9am- noon. Kids visit various nature stations and get a free school supply item, plus raffles for backpacks, binders and more!

Teachers- the school year may be just about over but it's never to early to book your field trips for the fall. Fill out the form online at http://www.campbayou.org/environmental-education/youth-programs to secure your preferred day.

Camp Bayou is always looking for a few good volunteers to help with youth programs, plus other tasks that keep the Center running smoothly. If you are interested in volunteering, fill out the form at http://www.campbayou.org/about-us/donations-appreciated/like-to-help .

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 and 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, follow @campbayou on Twitter, camp_bayou on Instagram, and for more information visit the website at http://www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. #CampBayou20th #natureinyourneighborhood #EEinFlorida

11the Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event

It's time again for Camp Bayou's Back to School- Back to Nature event!

Plan to visit Camp Bayou on August 4, from 9am to noon, for the 11th Annual Back to School-Back to Nature event- a free summer morning activity that gets kids outdoors to learn a bit about nature, then receive a free school supply item. Register online at www.campbayou.org. 

In addition to the Camp Bayou and Paleo Preserve volunteers, there will be visiting organizations to provide lots of opportunities to experience nature, including Little Manatee River State Park, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Florida Aquarium, TECO Manatee Viewing Center, Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Girl Scout troop #30349, League of Environmental Educators in Florida and more! There will be a Teacher Exchange table where teachers can give away educational resources they don't need anymore and pick up other interesting new resources. Let us know you are a teacher and receive an educator goody bag in appreciation of all you do!


We welcome donations of school supply items or funds to purchase them for this event. Drop off items at Camp Bayou any Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm or email for pickup to campbayou@gmail.com. Always a great turnout with the kids having fun while learning something new!

Sign up for the PLT teacher workshop on Saturday, September 8 from 9am-4pm. Participants will receive the PLT guide, lots of great activities and freebies. Register online at campbayou.org.

Cart tours have returned! Stop in any Saturday morning and ask for a ride along the trails.

Third Saturday canoe day tours continue this year. 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. 

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 Jeri 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 Parks, Recreation and Conservation. 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 webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

Back to School- Back to Nature

On August 5 from 9am to noon, Back to School-Back to Nature is a free summer event that gets kids outdoors to learn a bit about nature then receive a free school supply item. Registration online at www.campbayou.org. In addition to the Camp Bayou volunteers, there will be visiting organizations to provide lots of opportunities to experience nature, including Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation, Little Manatee River State Park, Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, Florida Forest Service and more!

From noon to 4pm, the back to school theme continues with a free Schoolyard Wildlife Teacher Workshop for the adults. For more information and to register, go to http://bit.ly/schoolyard8517.

Third Saturday canoe day tours continue this summer. Paddlers should arrive at Camp Bayou by 8:45am. Canoes 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.

For those who are interested in helping at the Center, 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 Jeri 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 Parks, Recreation and Conservation. 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 webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.​​

Back to School- Back to Nature

Camp Bayou's 9th Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event will be held on Saturday, August 6 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
Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
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, Vitamin N Challenge, 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.

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.

Today is Blog Action Day!

Each year, the folks at Blog Action Day pick a theme for everyone to blog about on October 16. This year we are discussing #inequality for #BAD2014 .

How does this relate to Camp Bayou? Or environmental education? Or natural resources?

One of the things that is clear from volunteering at Camp Bayou is that the notion that Caucasians are the overwhelming majority of visitors to natural spaces is probably true. But is the smaller percentage of minorities a result of #inequality due to economics?  Access issues? Culture?

We have had school groups from nearly the full spectrum of possibilities. Inner city, homeschool, private, religious, and public schools. There are few truly rural schools that visit since there is not much 'rural' left in west-central Florida.

The main barrier is usually transportation and its associated costs. Some schools get grants to pay for trips, some carpool, some charter luxury buses. We currently have a scholarship program to help school groups who otherwise could not afford the $5 per student for our programs. The scholarship is in memory of Joanie, a teacher who loved to take her students out into the natural world.

The benefits of being outdoors are being well documented. It is important that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to experience the natural world in all its glory.

This Saturday is our Fall Open House. Admission is free. There will be a lot of fun and educational activities to enjoy from 9am to 1pm in the great outdoors. We hope you'll join us!

... and Blog Action Day is today!

All these wonderful causes and so little time!

Yesterday we celebrated Women in Science and today we peer into the diverse subject of Human Rights. While there are many ways to approach this topic, I would like to address one that is near and dear to my heart.

A human right that most folks don't think about much, unless you delve into the insights of the site http://www.childrenandnature.org , is allowing children their inalienable right to be children- playing in puddles, making forts, riding bikes and other unstructured play. For a variety of reasons, most kids just don't get to do the kinds of things that were taken for granted by earlier generations. Sure, you say, the world is a different place these days. We know more about things that can hurt us, security is always an issue and all those organized sports are building character, right? Well, perhaps, but free play is an important part of building character too- as well as problem solving skills, social skills, understanding consequences, and heck, feeling good about yourself and the world around you.

I won't try to summarize the wealth of information at the Children and Nature site. I urge you to take a moment to check it out. It has activities, videos, case studies, blogs... even research papers about getting kids outdoors and the benefit of exercising this human right. Now it's time for me to leave the electronics inside and let the kid in me enjoy some time outdoors :o)

P.S. I'm also going to make another plug for our Fall Open House on Saturday, October 26, 9am-1pm. Another great way to get the kids outdoors....

Camp Bayou Fall Open House October 26

Kids have lots to discover at Camp Bayou's Fall Open House!

Camp Bayou Fall Open House

Saturday, October 26, 2012
9am-1pm
FREE family-friendly event
Registration not required but appreciated

The theme, 'Fearlessly Facing the Forest', showcases a variety of forest inhabitants and their stomping grounds, while highlighting those amazing critters in your own backyard. Throughout the morning, there will be several activity tables set up for the Creature Scavenger Hunt, some with live critters to handle, such as millipedes and ant lions. Activities, crafts and games will be paired with a variety of October themes- Viva Florida 500 (Florida history), Ada Lovelace Day (celebrating female scientists), National Food Day and National Neighborwoods Month. Other non-profits, such as Florida Public Archaeology Network, Girl Scouts of West-Central Florida, Cub Scout Pack 662, Eagle Audubon Society and the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum will be also be offering nature-based activities.

Schedule:
9am- Photo Trail Walk w/ Becki - Join National Geographic's Great Nature Photo Project: http://www.greatnatureproject.org
9:30am- Instructables: Let's make... Rainbarrels w/ Frank; learn how to make a rainbarrel from 'found' objects or make a donation to receive a complete kit
10am- Birds of Prey w/ Pat Bradley, Boyd Hill volunteer
10:30am- Weather Talk w/ Rick Davis, National Weather Service in Ruskin
11am- Little Free Library. Story-time circle introduces Camp Bayou's Little Free Library- take a book, leave a book.
11:30am- Species Walk. Make an animal mask in the morning or wear your Halloween costume, then join others in a guided tour along the trails and through the old fishing cabins.
Noon- National Food Day Buffet- Good-for-you-food is on the menu- fresh smoked turkey, assorted veggies, salad, fruit and beverage, for just $7 a person.
12:30pm- National Neighborwoods Month Tree Planting. Replant trees to replace diseased oak that provided shade in 'lawn' area.

Activity tables will stay open until 1pm.

The winning entries for the 2013 Photo Contest will be on display at the Fall Open House. There is still time to submit those perfect nature photos taken at Camp Bayou. Deadline is Saturday, Oct 19. For information contact campbayou@gmail.com or call 813-641-8545.

Lunch made possible in part by Sweetbay Supermarket in Ruskin.

These activities are part of Viva Florida 500, Finding Ada Day, National Neighborwoods Month, National Food Day, Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, Let's Move Outside, , Make a Difference Day,  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 now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership 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 Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the newly created, non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), in a public- private partnership with the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.
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Spring Open House at Camp Bayou

Join the fun on Saturday, March 16, 2013; 9am-1pm. Admission is FREE! Register here.

Schedule:
9:00 am: NEW!! Canoe rentals available 9-11am
9:00 am: Nature Photography Tour w/ Becki
9:30 am: Cockroach Race round 1
10:00 am: Tomato Breeding w/ Dr. Sam Hutton UF/IFAS- GCREC
           (Free tomato plants will be given out after the presentation)
10:30 am: Rainbarrels w/ Hillsborough County Cooperative Extension
10:30 am: Aquatic Critter Hunt w/ Dr. George
           (for kids and young-at-heart)
11:00 am: Frog Talk w/ Avalon of Conserve it Forward, Inc.
11:30 am: Lowry Park Zoo presents "Native Animals"
Noon: Green Lunch $5/person
12:30 pm: Cockroach Race round 2
(Visitors may bring their own cockroach to race but must follow rules of the game. Visit the blog for details.)

Visit other guest exhibitors including Quest Ecology discussing birds; Conserve it Forward with frogs; Florida Aquarium; Little Manatee River State Park; League of Environmental Educators in Florida; and Eagle Audubon Society in the butterfly habitat. Plus, there will be several nature activity and/or craft stations for kids led by teen volunteers from The Solid Rock Church. Special thanks to Sweet Bay Supermarket in Ruskin for helping with supplies for lunch .

These events are part of Sun-Earth Day,  Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, "Let's GO"- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiatives.

During the Spring Open House, visitors will have a number of options to help support the programs and continuing operation of Camp Bayou:
- Keep food and supplies available for Xerxes, the albino corn snake that is on view in the nature center. Just $20 will provide mice and bedding for a month!
- Help support Camp Bayou with a minimum ten dollar donation and receive a native plant and 2013 magnet to remind you of a great place to enjoy nature.
- Like to more involved? During lunch, the BOLD board will be introduced with a brief summary of the past year's activities. Those interested in applying to become a future board member are encouraged to attend.

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 now open 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. General admission is still FREE.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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.
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Photo: Visitors enjoy activities at a past Open House event.
Photo credit: Becki Stafford

Camp Bayou Back to School event

Jonathan wins the first
Bucs backpack of the day.

The 4th annual 'Back to School- Back to Nature' event, held last Saturday, August 6, was great fun for all ages, plus provided participants with a few school supply items to help with this year's back to school needs. Approximately 80 school age children and their families came out for a wonderful morning of games, face painting, fossils, ant lions and more! The Teacher Resource table offered information for teachers such as regional info through the League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) and free items for teachers to use in their classrooms this year. The membership table provided a glimpse of future events including our 'A Natural Education Weekend" to be held Friday- Sunday, November 11-13. A big "Thank You" goes to our sponsors, participating organizations and volunteers, without whom, this event would not be possible. In addition to our regulars, including: Hillsborough County Solid Waste Recycling Program Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Florida Division of Forestry Florida Master Naturalists Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum and dedicated Camp Bayou volunteers and members; We were joined this year by Hillsborough County's Adopt-a-Pond Program West Central Girl Scouts with local troop from Bayou Pass in Ruskin Wandering Whimsy/Conserve it Forward and Face Painters from a south county church group. We also had several families volunteer from the Brandon Homeschool Fellowship who helped with various event tasks such as registration, parking and grilling hot dogs plus they  donated many of the school supply items that were distributed. A Special Thank You goes to the Glazer Family Foundation, Inc. for providing Buc-Packs from their Back to School Program which were given out as raffle prizes. This event is a Summer Learning Day, Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida!, "Let's GO"- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiative.  Camp Bayou is nether 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, membership and grants, the RCDF 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. General admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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.

media release- No Child Left Inside

Children and their families learned about nature at last year's Back to School- Back to Nature event, plus received a free school supply item. This year's event will be Saturday, August 6 from 9am-noon- free registration at www.campbayou.org .

Education is heading outside in Tampa Bay; 

Legislation in Congress would help

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IS BACK; THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TEACHERS USE NATURE AS A TOOL TO INCREASE LEARNING IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES

(Ruskin)—Local schools and educators increasingly are taking students outside to learn, and seeing the benefits of environmental education in student achievement, test scores, motivation, critical thinking and other skills. But schools are pressed for resources to implement this promising tool, a challenge that would be addressed by legislation introduced this week in Congress: the No Child Left Inside Act.

Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is only one example of a local facility using environmental education as a means to improve learning. Here children, along with their families, teachers and other mentors, can explore the natural world around them and help discover the wonders of nature in their own backyard.

Environmental education uses the outdoors as a tool for hands-on learning. Teachers, for instance, may ask students to collect and assess data on the water quality of a nearby stream. Studies show environmental education can improve student achievement and test scores, especially in math, science and other core subjects, help students think more effectively, provides a real-world context for classroom instruction, and prepares them for the 21st century workforce.

Camp Bayou offers a variety of EE programs for the general public, school groups, summer camps and other youth groups. This fall, we will hold "A Natural Education Weekend", kind of a combination EE conference and family outing. Look for updates at http://anaturaleducation.blogspot.com/ .

Environmental education in various forms started in the 1970s. With the advent of standardized testing, and the passage of the federal No Child Left Behind law in 2001, many schools and educators scaled back environmental education to focus on reading and math--subjects covered by high-stakes standardized tests. In recent years, however, environmental education has enjoyed a dramatic resurgence, perhaps as educators reacted to "teaching to the test" approaches.

But in Tampa Bay and elsewhere educational resources are stretched thin, especially to train teachers in environmental education, and to plan effective programs. A bill in Congress, the No Child Left Inside Act, could help. The bill would provide financial and other assistance to states which are bolstering environmental learning. More than forty states are taking action to urge the development of statewide "environmental literacy" plans, and outdoor plans and strategies.   More information

Other signs of a national resurgence in environmental education are abundant:

http://cms.eetap.org/repository/moderncms_documents/comprehensive_ee_article_final_2.24_sm.2.pdf The number of high school students taking the Advanced Placement Environmental Science course jumped 426 percent in the past 10 years compared to an average increase of 97 percent for all AP subject exams over the same period. More information 

At least 200 green charters schools have opened across the country in recent years using a research-based curriculum called EIC, or Environment as an Integrating Context for learning. The idea involves using nature and the environment as a teaching tool for everything from math to reading to history. More information

Between 1995 and 2005 all 50 states expanded and strengthened their environmental education programs by 80 percent, measured by the number of key components implemented: dedicated funding, professional development, comprehensive EE plan, etc. More information

Nearly 2,000 schools have joined the national Green School Alliance. Green schools are designed or retrofitted to consume less energy, to reduce waste, and to connect environmental education curriculum to a school's sustainable features. More information

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media release: Back to School- Back to Nature

It's that time of year again- to think about books and bags and ... bayous?! Camp Bayou's Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event will be held on Saturday, August 6 from 9am- noon. Registered families will visit several nature stations where they will learn something about frogs, fossils, forests or one of several nature topics. Before leaving each station, the children will be given a free school supply item! For a possible extra bonus, children will be given a raffle ticket when they arrive after their family signs in at the registration table. A ticket will be drawn every 30 minutes for other items, including backpacks, journals, lunch bags, and more. As in past years, registration is required, but FREE, online at www.campbayou.org . This year we will again hold a Teacher Exchange- an area for educators to leave materials they no longer need or pick up something new. Current items available for the Teacher Exchange include a fish tank with some accessories, posters, colorful nature magazines, water quality test kits and more! Teachers can also learn about field trips to the Nature Center or Fossil Museum, SWFWMD's SPLASH! grants, upcoming teacher professional workshops, League of Environmental Educators in Florida regional information and Florida Master Naturalist Program updates. Organizations that will be participating in this year's event include: Hillsborough County Solid Waste Recycling Program Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful Florida Division of Forestry Adopt-a-Pond West Central Girl Scouts This event is a Summer Learning Day, Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, "Let's GO"- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiative.  Camp Bayou is nether 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, membership and grants, the RCDF 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. General admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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.  ### Photo credit: Dolly Cummings Pictured: Benjamin Weibley of Riverview shows off his NASCAR backpack, thanks to a winning raffle ticket at last year's Back to School- Back to Nature event at Camp Bayou.

Back to School event a success!

Benjamin Weibley of Riverview is the first door prize winner, showing off his new backpack

Lots of fun at the Recycling game with Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful and Hillsborough County Solid Waste.

Visitors crowd around each activity to learn something and earn a school supply item

Back to School- Back to Nature event a Success! Camp Bayou's Back to School - Back to Nature event was held on Saturday, August 7. Despite a late morning storm which abruptly ended the event, over 100 children and their families enjoyed a couple hours of nature related activities with the added bonus of getting free school supplies at each station. After sign in at the registration table, visitors stopped in at activity tables that included fossil fun; info on fire; litter and recycling; aquatic invertebrates; ant lions; native peoples; intro to metrics; and environmental jeopardy. Participating organizations included Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, Hillsborough County Solid Waste, Florida Department of Forestry, Ruskin and SouthShore Public Libraries, Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum, Ruskin History Project, Florida Master Naturalists, and Camp Bayou volunteers, Our thanks also to Publix Supermarkets, Workflow One for their donations for door prizes which included backpacks, journals and other items. This Back to School - Back to Nature event is part of a Summer of Learning, as well as a Be Out There! , Get Outdoors Florida, a Children and Nature and No Child Left Inside inspired initiative. Camp Bayou is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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. Camp Bayou is nether 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, membership and grants, the RCDF 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. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org/ . ###

media release- Spring Open House at Camp Bayou

Spring Open House Saturday, April 17, 2010 8am-2pm Schedule of Activities: 8am: Great American Cleanup begins– register at Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful 9 am: Trail games begin– Butterfly Blingo, Scavenger Hunt, Geocaching, Letterboxing and more... 10 am: Wetland Walk-n-Wade – Take a walk through the wetlands to the river to see what critters we can net. 11 am: Nature activities and crafts– get into the outdoors with a variety of nature-related projects including a few citizen science options. Noon: Spring Member BBQ– Free for current members or become a member for as little as $10. Pulled pork and hot dogs provided by Camp Bayou. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share (optional). 1 pm: Nature presentation- It's a Jungle Out There: Imagined and Real Dangers Outdoors On-going throughout the day: - Fossil Museum open - Fossil pit dig (for small fee) - Nature Center open - 3 trails through varied habitats - Canoe launch open - Native People's Camp - Native plants for sale - Cart tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 am. All the activities are family-friendly. This event supports No Child Left Inside- http://www.nclicoalition.org/)  and is part of National Environmental Education Week (http://www.eeweek.org/), as well as an opportunity to Get Outdoors Florida!(http://getoutdoorsflorida.org). Camp Bayou is nether 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, membership and grants, the RCDF 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. General admission is still FREE. The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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. A flyer is ready for viewing/download at https://www.box.net/shared/6nbnoh4c8s . ### Photos available at  http://picasaweb.google.com/campbayou

Support NCLI

From NCLI Coalition action email:

Act now to let the House Committee on Education and Labor know that you support the No Child Left Inside Act.

Friday, March 26 is the deadline to submit comments to the House Education and Labor Committee on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. If you have not already done so, please take a few moments today to email the Committee at eseacomments@mail.house.gov and let them know that you support the inclusion of the No Child Left Inside Act (H.R. 2054) in the reauthorized ESEA.

Some tips for submitting your comments:

•Send your comments in the format of a letter on organizational letterhead.
•Personalize your comments with information about your organization—size and type, interest in environmental education, specific progress in your state/region.
•Send a copy of your comments to Sarah Bodor , sbodor@cbf.org so that we can follow-up on your comments in subsequent meetings with Committee staff and members of Congress.

Remember, comments should be emailed to eseacomments@mail.house.gov by THIS FRIDAY, March 26, 2010.

Thank you for your continued work on behalf of No Child Left Inside!

The template message below may be of use to you in crafting your email. Remember to personalize it with information about your organization and why you are a member of the NCLI Coalition.

Members of the Committee on Education and Labor:

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). We are pleased that the Committee's website highlights the No Child Left Inside Act as one of four key pieces of legislation pending before the Committee for consideration as part of the reauthorization. We urge you to embed the provisions of the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) Act, as introduced, into the reauthorized ESEA.

[Personalize with information about your organization/state/region here]

The No Child Left Inside Act is critical to providing our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be ready for college and the tremendous career opportunities developing as America transitions to a green economy. Enhancing students' environmental literacy is a proven way to expand the academic pipeline for STEM subjects and is increasingly seen as an innovative way to give students the sense of wonder and excitement so essential to encouraging scientific inquiry. Environmental education has been shown to improve student achievement across core subject areas and increase engagement in learning. What's more, getting kids outside and active promotes a healthy lifestyle that is essential to fighting obesity and reducing symptoms associated with attention deficit disorder, depression, and stress.

We are grateful that the Committee approved a modified version of the NCLI Act during the 110thCongress and are hopeful that you will include the provisions of the current NCLI bill in ESEA this year. Leaving it out of ESEA would be a missed opportunity to improve education while helping to systemically address other national priorities of a strengthened economy, a competitive workforce, and a healthier nation.

Sincerely,

Spring Open House 2010

Spring Open House

Saturday, April 17, 2010
8am-2pm

Schedule of Activities:
8am: Great American Cleanup begins– register at Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
9 am: Trail games begin– Butterfly Blingo, Scavenger Hunt, Geocaching, Letterboxing and more...
10 am: Wetland Walk-n-Wade – Take a walk through the wetlands to the river to see what critters we can net. Your feet WILL get wet!
11 am: Nature activities and crafts– get into the outdoors with a variety of nature-related projects including a variety of citizen science excursions.
Noon: Spring Member BBQ– Free for current members or become a member for as little as $10. Pulled pork and hot dogs provided by Camp Bayou. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share (optional).
1 pm: Nature Presentation- TBA

On-going throughout the day:
- Fossil Museum open
- Fossil pit dig (for small fee)
- Nature Center open
- 3 trails through varied habitats
- Canoe launch open
- Native People’s Camp
- Native plants for sale
- Cart tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 am.

All the activities are family-friendly. This is an NCLI (No Child Left Inside- http://www.nclicoalition.org/) event and is part of National Environmental Education Week (http://www.eeweek.org/), as well as an opportunity to Get Outdoors Florida!(http://getoutdoorsflorida.org/).

Camp Bayou is nether 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, membership and grants, the RCDF 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. General admission is still FREE.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) 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.

media release- Camp Bayou, Ruskin

UPDATE: Check out the video... Rebuilding a Village The Native People's Camp at Camp Bayou was recently given a facelift by the young ladies from Brownie troop 1243 and Junior troop 356, both from Ruskin. The exhibit had been created by three Eagle Scouts a few years ago, but had been showing signs of weathering over time. Over the course of several Saturdays, a variety of projects were tackled. A new village garden was planted, this time using native vegetation that would typically be utilized by the Natives that lived in the area over 500 years ago. Representative foods such as vegetables, meats and fish, necessarily made of plastic for the extended outdoor display time, were repainted. A general cleaning of debris makes the village look like the inhabitants will be returning momentarily. The hut was re-thatched in places that needed repairs. The Native Camp is ready for guests- either free informal visits or formal programs requesting a modest charge per person. In addition, the simulated archaeology dig offers visitors the opportunity to be 'archaeologist for a morning'- pre-registration required. If you have a group that would like to schedule a formal program for either the Native Camp or the Archaeology Dig, please contact Dolly at campbayou@yahoo.com or call 813-363-5438. Camp Bayou is neither a campground nor a daycamp, but a community resource open to the public, Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm. It is funded through grants, donations, membership, volunteers and program fees. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR 674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. Camp Bayou is a partnership between the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Visit online at http://www.campbayou.org/. ### more photos for download at: http://picasaweb.google.com/campbayou/NativeVillage#

Back to School- Back to Nature

Save the Date!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
9am- noon

Back to School- Back to Nature event

Kids visit a variety of nature stations, then receive a free school supply item.
Raffles for backpacks, Publix gift cards and more will round out the morning.

Register here

Organizations planning to attend include:
South Shore Regional Library
Ruskin Branch Library
Family Support & Resource Center
Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
Hillsborough County Solid Waste
Florida Department of Forestry
and of course,

the Nature Center and

the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum

For information, check back here or email campbayou@yahoo.com to
be added to the notification listserve.

Spring Open House

Spring Open House

Saturday, April 18, 2009

8am-2pm

Schedule of Activities:

8am: Great American Cleanup begins– register at Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful

9 am: Trail games begin– Butterfly Blingo, Scavenger Hunt, Riddle-me-this and more...

10 am: Wetland Walk-n-Wade – Take a walk through the wetlands to the river to see what critters we can net. Your feet WILL get wet!

11 am: Nature crafts– get into the outdoors with a variety of nature-related craft projects.

Noon: Spring Brunch– BBQ Buffet fundraiser, Vegetarian items available. $10/person.

1 pm: Slideshow– - “Environmental Education through the years at Camp Bayou’.

On-going throughout the day:

- Fossil Museum open
- Fossil pit dig (for small fee)

- Nature Center open
- 3 trails through varied habitats
- Canoe launch open
- Native People’s Camp
- Native plants for sale
- Cart tours every half hour beginning at 9:30 am.

All the activities are family-friendly. This is an NCLI (No Child Left Inside- http://www.nclicoalition.org/) event and is part of National Environmental Education Week (http://www.eeweek.org/).

For information and directions call 813-641-8545.

Camp Bayou Waterway Service Project

The Camp Bayou Service Day volunteers accomplished an impressive task- over 85 lbs of trash was collected within 3 hours by just 10 people. Half the group were in kayaks and picked up along the scenic 2.5 mile Little Manatee River canoe loop which is used for environmental education programs at the Center, as well as for local recreational activities such as fishing. The other half of the group collected along the shore and roadway leading to the water where river netting activities for youth groups often takes place.
This was an NCLI - related event. Camp Bayou supports and encourages all children and their families to get out and enjoy the outdoors, while learning a bit about our world in the process!
For more photos visit the Events album and look for Camp Bayou Waterway Service Project.