Camp Bayou's Spring Fest celebrates 25 years!

Join Camp Bayou as it welcomes Spring and celebrates our 25th anniversary with some fun activities on Saturday, March 23 from 9am-noon. Some of the activities you can expect include nature activity tables, trail walks, tomato seedling giveaway, plant swap (no invasives, please) and cart tours.

Schedule of Events:
9am open
9:30 Cart tours begin
10:00 Fire Hike
10:30 Butterfly Habitat Q&A
11:00 Native Camp Tour
11:30 Fishing Cabin Talk
Noon ends

Joining us for morning shenanigans are the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum, Raptor Center of Tampa Bay, Manatee Viewing Center, Little Manatee River State Park and Florida Forestry Service.

No registration required and it’s free! Come out and experience all that Camp Bayou has to offer.

While you are marking your calendar, save the date- Saturday, April 13- for a night paddle to explore the Little Manatee River after dark- without flashlights! Canoes and kayaks are available for $25 per boat; $5 if you have your own vessel. Plan to arrive by 7pm to be out on the water by 7:30pm. Registration required, email campbayou@gmail.com or call the office 813-641-8545. Camp Bayou continues to offer day paddle trips on the first and third Saturdays each month at 9am, reservations required.

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.

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.

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.

 

Volunteer Workday at Camp Bayou

 Volunteers sought for fun one day event at Camp Bayou

This Fall's storms have wreaked havoc on Camp Bayou's Native Camp. There will be a Volunteer Workday, Saturday, Nov 19 starting at 9am, to fix up/clean up the area, to again make it useful for the Native People's Youth Programs we offer during the year. Depending on the number of volunteers, we hope to renew the hut, food cache, barbacoa, drying and skinning racks and more. Learn a bit about the Native lifestyle while helping to bring the exhibit back to life. Please email campbayou@gmail.com if you are planning to help. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great opportunity to get some community service hours for Bright Futures but everyone is welcome to join us!

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 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.

Family Naturalist Program

The fall schedule for the Family Naturalist Program:

Nov 7 : Wildlife Walk- Take a hike to observe signs of wildlife- a different teachable moment is possible in every trip!

Nov 21: Gopher Tortoise- Learn about our special inhabitant in the uplands and why it is called a ‘keystone’ species’.

Dec 5- Tour the Native Camp– take a stroll around the native camp to hear what life might have been like more than 500 years ago.

Dec 19- Weaving– Learn fibre-craft the way the native people might have done it. Make and take a palm ‘mat’.

Description:Our Family Naturalist Series will present a new topic every other week (with a couple exceptions). The topics parallel our youth programs offered to school groups- see campbayou.org for the potential list. Scheduled programs will be posted on the blog at campbayou.blogspot.com. Program cost $5 per person. Reservations required. Space limited. Contact Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com to save your spot or for more information. Masks and social distancing are required until further notice.

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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Spring Nature Fest- April 16, 2016

Camp Bayou presents our First Annual Spring Nature Fest!
(formerly known as our Spring Open House)

National Trails Day coming soon!

Join Camp Bayou volunteers for National Trails Day!

Saturday, June 6, 2015, 9am-12pm.

Guided trail walks, on land and water, will be the order of the day.

The morning activities include:

9am: Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum open- fossil dig available for small fee

9am: Advanced Beginner Canoe Paddle around the island south of Camp Bayou @ 90 minutes

9am: Fishing Cabin exhibit open

9:30: Trail walk- Tortoise Trail and Butterfly Habitat

9:30: Tours of Native Peoples village on the half hour

10am: Highlight tours via golf cart for those unable to walk the trails, leaving every 20 minutes

10:30am: Trail walk- River Ramble

11am: Beginner Canoe Paddle around oxbow island- for those who need to learn the basics or want a shorter trip @ 30 minutes

11:30am: Trail Walk- Wetlands Walk

12pm: Lunch $5 fundraiser- hot dogs, chips and a drink

Canoe rentals are $25 per 3-seater canoe for either session. Have your own canoe or kayak? Join us for just a $5 donation. Please call to reserve your canoe 813-641-8545.

 

This event is a National Trails Day, Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, FYCCN,  "Let's GO"- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiative.

Teachers! Camp Bayou will host a SchoolYard Wildlife workshop on Saturday, June 20 from 9am-3pm. Learn some great activities to do with your students this fall, all with citizen science applications to bring the real world into the classroom. Enter drawing for free 1-year membership in the League of Environmental Educators in Florida. You will receive several curriculum guides upon completion of the workshop, plus be entered into a drawing for a discounted field trip for your entire grade level from your school next year to Camp Bayou. Other door prizes will be awarded. Contact Dolly to sign up for this workshop- campbayou@gmail.com .

Parents! Save the Date- Saturday, August 1, Back to School- Back to Nature event. Free admission, kids participate in a nature themed activity then receive a free school supply item. Registration coming soon at campbayou.org .

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

Homeschool Series 2012- Day1

This homeschool series focuses on the culture and lifestyle of the Native People who lived in this area over 500 years ago- the Ucita. While they had their main village at the mouth of the Little Manatee River, they may have made temporary camps, like the one at Camp Bayou, as a base for hunting or fishing. Each week we will explore one or more topics to see what their lives were like, based on research with a generous helping of conjecture, since original sources are few with often conflicting or confusing statements.
You must be pre-registered to attend- $20 for the 4 week series. Deadline is February 2 by 5pm. Contact Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com for more information.

Native structures and fiber crafts- 2/3/12
- Introduction/Tour
- building a shelter
- break for storytime with White Feather
- loom weaving, rope making, mat weaving

Vocabulary:
* hut
* teepee
* wikiup
* wigwam
* chickee
* thatched
* post hole
* anaerobic
* warp
* weft

References:
The Crafts of Florida's First People by Robin C. Brown; Pineapple Press, 2003.
Journeys with Florida Indians by Kelley G. Weitzel; University Press of Florida, 2002.
Native Americans in Florida by Kevin M. McCarthy; Pineapple Press, 1999.
Indians of Central and South Florida 1513-1763 by John H. Hann; University Press of Florida, 2003.

More resources:
FPAN West Central
Fl Division of Historical Resources- Archaeology
Florida Archaeology- Fl. Museum of Natural History
Homeschool Series week 2
Homeschool Series week 3
Homeschool Series week 4