Camp Bayou This Summer

Monthly one hour programs cover a special topic on the first Saturday of each month.
June 2: National Trails Day- trail walks and more! Special early start for Fun Run at 8am!
July 7: World Firefly Day- yes, we do have fireflies in Florida! Learn about these uncommon inhabitants of our environment.
August 4: Back to School- Back to Nature, 9am -noon. Free but please register online at www.campbayou.org .

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

All programs begin at 9:30am, unless otherwise noted, and are free- donations are always appreciated!

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 Barbara 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. 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 or Twitter pages and for more information visit the webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

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Camp Bayou This Spring

Join us for our Wildlife BioBlitz on April 14 or 28.

Monthly one hour programs cover a special topic on the first Saturday of each month.

April 7: Learn about Butterflies and their habitat with Donna

May 5: River netting with Dolly

June 2: National Trails Day- trail walks and more!

Special this April 14 from 9am to noon- Celebrate Citizen Science Day and March for Science with a Camp Bayou Wildlife BioBlitz. Observe wildlife, then take photos, gps coordinates and mark the time- or just use the iNaturalist app on your smartphone- to record all the wildlife we see that morning. Reservations not required but if you have questions, contact Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com.

If you can't make the BioBlitz on April 14, plan to join us on April 28 for another round, to finish out National Environmental Education Week!

The Great American Cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 28 as well, starting at 8am. Sign up with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to help clean up along the road and trails.

Cart tours have returned! Stop in any Saturday morning and ask for a ride along the trails.
All programs begin at 9:30am and are free- donations are always appreciated!

Saturday canoe day tours continue this year. Check the online calendar for days and times. Paddlers should arrive at Camp Bayou by 8:45am. Our next special night paddle will be held on March 31st. 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.

National Trails Day- Morning Meanderings

National Trails Day^® Beckons Americans to the Outdoors

What: National Trails Day- Morning Meanderings
Where: Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, Ruskin
When: Saturday, June 4, 2016, 9am-noon.

Enjoy the Florida outdoors while learning about the wonderful examples of nature around us everyday! Each year for the past 24 years American Hiking Society, along with local outdoors clubs, businesses, conservation organizations, and parks have invited the public to attend special trail events on National Trails Day.

Guided trail activities at Camp Bayou:

9am- Guided canoe paddle with Daniel and Kaitlyn. Rent one of our 3-seater canoes for $25 or bring your own for a $5 donation. Registration required- call 813-641-8545.

9:30am- Wildlife walk with Dolly. Explore the flora and fauna on the Camp Bayou trails and discover some fun citizen science apps along the way.

10am- Butterfly walk with Dr. George. Accompany our volunteer butterfly monitor on his trail walk to record butterfly sightings at Camp Bayou.

11am- Outdoor themed snacks will be the fundraiser for the event: watermelon slices, s'mores and more.

The Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum and the Nature Center will be open as usual, 9am-2pm.

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, activities and events.

Camp Bayou is also requesting donations of school supplies or cash to purchase them for our August 6 event- Back to School-Back to Nature. Children visit nature stations then receive a free school supply item at each stop. 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 Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, FYCCN,  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.

Guided Firefly Paddle at Camp Bayou

Did you think there were no fireflies in Florida? Then here's a program for you! April is the beginning of firefly season in this area of Florida.

Join Camp Bayou naturalists for a paddle around the island in search of fireflies, blinking in their enchanting way, in prime habitat along the Little Manatee River.

Friday, April 22, 2016

7:30- 9:30pm

Canoe rental is just $25 per 3-person canoe or join us in your own canoe or kayak for just a $5 donation. Reservations required- call 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com. Gates open a 7pm.

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. Check out the Camp Bayou Facebook page and for more information visit the webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

 

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Pictured: Previous canoe paddles at Camp Bayou

Photo credit: Dolly Cummings

Spring Nature Fest- April 16, 2016

Join Camp Bayou volunteers for their Spring Nature Fest with fun for the whole family! A variety of activity tables will be set up throughout the morning.

Saturday, April 16, 2016, 9am-1pm.

The morning activities include:

9am: Activity and game tables open

9:30am: First round of predator-prey shuffleboard

10am: Aquatic netting at the oxbow

10:30am: iNaturalist demo and trail walk

11am: Nature Concentration Trivia

11:30am: Lunch fundraiser- $5 hot dogs, mac & cheese and more!

12:30pm: Final door prize drawing

Other organizations joining in the morning activities include:

Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum, Little Manatee River State Park, League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) and Florida Master Naturalists. Camp Bayou's parent non-profit, BOLD (Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc.) will present their annual report.

 

Door prizes will be awarded every half hour including books, water testing kits and t-shirt/hat, among other possibilities. Door prize tickets are free and available at the Camp Bayou display table to all who sign up for our e-newsletter. A free tomato plant will also be given to the first 50 people who sign up.

 

This event is a National Environmental Education Week, Citizen Science Day, USA Science and Engineering Satellite event, 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. Check out the Camp Bayou Facebook page and for more information visit the webpage at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

 

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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Cockroach Races at Fall Open House

All cockroach racers must be in a closed container before the race-
even if your pet cockroach normally roams around with your pet mouse.

Camp Bayou's Fall Open House will have a new event as part of the morning activities- Cockroach Races!

While there will be several resident cockroach racers to cheer on, visitors are invited to bring their own cockroach that they think will win. There are a few guidelines to keep in mind if you wish to BYOC:
- All cockroaches must be palmetto bugs as shown in the photo above, not the smaller german cockroaches.
- All cockroaches must remain in a closed container until race time.
- All visitors who wish to race their cockroaches must check in at the Membership table by 9:45am to register their cockroach and be assigned a number. If your cockroach has a name, be sure to note it on the registration form.
- All visitors, whose cockroaches are racing, must be on hand at the finish circle to help secure the racers so they can run another race.
If you've  never heard of cockroach races, check out the rules at the long running Cockroach Races held in Australia. Their rules are slightly different.

Hints for keeping your cockroach alive and well until race day:
- Put cockroach in a covered container. If you want to be extra sure it won't escape, put a ring of petroleum jelly along top rim of container.
- Cockroaches can live for quite some time eating only dry dog food and having access to a supply of water.
- Cockroaches like dark spaces so provide a place to hide, crumpled newspaper or paper towel tube.
Questions? Visit Camp Bayou, Thursday- Saturday, from 9am- 2pm to learn more about Florida's critters.

Spiders in Space... finally!

Visit Camp Bayou starting this weekend to see our land-based complement to the Spiders in Space project.

From the Spiders in Space listserv:

This morning’s successful launch of STS-134, carried two juvenile Nephilia clavipes spiders to orbit. Each spider has its own space condo with attached separate chambers for fruit flies, serving as the spider’s food source.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour will rendezvous and dock with the International Space Station Wednesday morning. On Thursday morning, around 9:41 EDT, the spider habitats will be transferred to the station.
Images of the spider’s first days in microgravity should be available by the weekend at http://www.bioedonline.org/.
You can also connect with BioEdOnline on Twitter and Facebook!