Camp Bayou This Summer

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

June 3: Becki will take visitors on a photography themed walk to help celebrate National Trails Day.

July 1: Beat the heat with some nature crafts indoors. Wreath making, paint sticks, weaving, and more.

August 5: Back to School-Back to Nature- our free summer event gets kids outdoors, learn a bit about nature then receive a free school supply item- 9am to noon. Registration online at www.campbayou.org.

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

Third Saturday canoe day tours continue this summer. Paddlers should arrive at Camp Bayou by 8:45am. Our special night paddle will be held on June 2 starting at 8pm. 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.

There are still days available this summer for youth nature programs for your summer camp. Check out Camp Bayou's online calendar to see which days might work for your group.

Throughout the year, Camp Bayou will have special activities related to various nature-themed, nationally recognized days. See what's in store for: June 3 (National Trails Day), June 10 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 17 (National Fishing Week) , June 24 (National Pollinator Week). Check the Camp Bayou calendar for special days throughout the year.

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.

Spring Nature Fest- April 16, 2016

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

On the trail...

A native bumblebee is loving this passionflower in the Butterfly Habitat. By the time he flew away, he was covered with pollen grains and searching for another flower. The passionfruit is getting big on these vines and I hope to have the opportunity to get a taste of one before the wildlife find them.