Camp Bayou Welcomes Fall

There are cleanups, night hikes plus some day and night paddles coming up this Fall. Enjoy some fun activities at Camp Bayou this season.

Experience the trails at Camp Bayou while helping cleanup, fixup and monitor the environment during National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 28 from 9am-noon. A special BioBlitz will document plants and wildlife through iNaturalist.org while we pick up trash. No registration needed, just come out, check in and enjoy the morning at Camp Bayou.

Our Fright Fest will be held on Saturday, October 5 starting with some spooky crafts and activity tables at 5pm. Joining the activities are Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission, Hillsborough County Conservation and Environmental Lands Management, Little Manatee River State Park, and Girl Scout Troop 30349.  First walks will start at 6:30 pm for the young ones, learning about our native nocturnal wildlife. The 7pm and later walks after dark 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 is not required but we'd appreciate an email to Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com so we can be sure we have enough supplies for s'mores. Pay just $5 to get your ticket when you check in on-site.

Saturday, October 19- 7pm-  Special Night Paddle (postponed from September). Explore the Little Manatee River after dark- without flashlights!  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.

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..

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.

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.

 

Camp Bayou by Moonlight- rescheduled!

Paddle the Little Manatee River on a special Night Paddle- no flashlights! Listen for owls; look for bats and lightning bugs while enjoying a different kind of experience. Your other senses are heightened when your night vision kicks in. 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 by calling the office at 813-641-8545 or emailing campbayou@gmail.com. Paddlers should arrive at Camp Bayou by 7:30pm on Saturday, April 9, to be out on the river by 8pm.

Camp Bayou continues to offer day paddle trips on the first and third Saturdays each month at 9am. Registration required.

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. The Center is open from Thursday- Sundday 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.

###

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.

###

Camp Bayou This Summer

Looking for a great morning out in the great outdoors?

Camp Bayou has re-opened, with some responsible social distancing practices in place. You can see all the changes in our Summer e-newsletter at campbayou.org .

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 summer. 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 .

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.

What's New at Camp Bayou?

The winter is a perfect time to visit Camp Bayou! In the next few weeks, there will be several special events in store for sharing nature in your neighborhood.

- Firefly Paddle- Saturday, March 7 starting at 6pm. Join our guided paddle around the island south of Camp Bayou in search of fireflies. $25 per canoe or kayak- limited availability, reserve your space at 813-641-8545 or email Dolly at campbayou@gmail.com . You can join us if you have your own canoe or kayak with a $5 donation, please call to reserve your space.

- Hiking Spree Send-Off Party- Saturday, March 14, 5-9 pm. Guided late afternoon/evening hikes, ending with firefly walk and s'mores.

- Project WET teacher workshop- Saturday, April 4. Teacher workshop through SWFWMD, Karen Johnson facilitating. If interested in registering, contact  Kfolsom65@gmail.com or Katherine.Munson@WaterMatters.org

or call 813-245-9110.

- Citizen Science- Make it Count- Saturday, April 18, 9am-noon. Help Camp Bayou document wildlife and plant biodiversity using the iNaturalist app. Reservations required for 9am instruction activity for those who are new to the app- https://forms.gle/HXExAgLwFB3Ao4aE9

- Great American Cleanup- Saturday, April 25, 8-11am. Register at http://www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org

For those planning ahead for summer activities, Camp Bayou will offer Nature Craft Saturdays in June. Each week, the morning workshop will offer a variety of nature-themed crafts in the classroom. Registration is required as well as a $5 donation- call 813-641-8545 to reserve your space.

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.

The visitor's center has some new donation perks. Choose from air-plant planters, vine wreaths and lichen terrariums with your $10-$20 donation.
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.

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.

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.

###

Camp Bayou falls into Fall

Camp Bayou is grateful to have a fund that was created a few years ago to get kids outdoors who would not otherwise be able to afford it. It is Joanie’s Student Nature Learning Fund which was created in memory of the donor's sister-in-law who was a teacher who loved to share her love of learning outdoors with her students.

The fund currently would cover a school group of up to 80 kids (our maximum number per day). It is available to Title 1 schools only, grades K-6, in Hillsborough County. The funds do not cover the cost of busing or lunch. If a teacher or administrator from a Title 1 school is interested in this opportunity, please fill out the form at http://bit.ly/CampBayoustudentfund . If anyone is interested in contributing to keep this fund going, donations can be made online .

Camp Bayou is participating in the International Coastal Cleanup on Saturday, September 16 starting at 8:30am. Interested volunteers should sign up at http://www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org . Want more volunteer opportunities? Join the Camp Bayou BioBlitz on National Public Lands Day, September 30, starting at 9am. Bring your iNaturalist app-enabled smartphone to take photos of the flora and fauna at Camp Bayou. How many species, do you think, can be found?

Camp Bayou is continuing its First Saturday Nature Topics through the end of the year. October's topic is "Fall Birding" with Mr. James Lingle on October 7. This will be a nice introductory birding opportunity before the Florida Birding and Nature Festival, Oct 13-15 at HCC Southshore in Ruskin. Camp Bayou will be conducting the Kid's Sessions at the Festival on Saturday, Oct 14 from 10am-4pm. Interested parents should register their children online- FREE- at http://bit.ly/kidsessionreg .

Canoe tours continue through the year on the third Saturday, starting at 9am. A special 'Observe the Moon Night paddle' is scheduled for October 28 starting at 6:30pm. Please register for all paddle tours- 813-641-8545. Canoe- and now kayaks!- can be rented for $25 each or bring your own with just a $5 donation.

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-
###

A Camp Bayou Summer

School is in session but summer is still going strong. The heat may have kept folks indoors but Camp Bayou is ready when you are with new additions to the Center.

Thanks to a Bay mini-grant from the Tampa Bay Estuary Program, Camp Bayou now has a new collecting pond for use during youth nature programs. For groups with limited time, students can now go critter netting without getting their feet wet. Aquatic plants, both native and non-native, will demonstrate some environmental issues and a rain gauge will provide an opportunity for monitoring precipitation for a citizen science program. The Bay mini-grant also provided funds to purchase 3 new kayaks that will be used as observation platforms, along with our existing canoes, for smaller reserved groups to discover wildlife along the river.

The golf cart trail tours will resume, thanks to a generous donation from Mr & Mrs. O, which funded the repair of the old 5 passenger cart. If interested in the tour, please arrive by 10am or call to schedule a special tour- 813-641-8545. There is no charge for the cart tours but donations are always gratefully accepted.

First Saturday Nature Topics continue with an Intro to Camping on September 2 starting at 9:30am. Can't get much closer to nature than camping in it- responsibly of course! Try your hand at putting up a tent, check out some minimal cooking equipment and enjoy a favorite camping dessert. No charge but please call to reserve your spot- 813-641-8545.

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

The International Coastal Cleanup Day is Sept 16. Camp Bayou is a cleanup site, both on land and water. Register with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful: http://www.keeptampabaybeautiful.org .

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.
###

Spring Nature Fest- April 16, 2016

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

The Power of We

An FMNP final project- working together to find solutions to environmental problems

For Blog Action Day 2012, the Power of We, I wanted to highlight a program we offer at Camp Bayou just once a year. The Florida Master Naturalist Program is a 40 hour class created by UF/IFAS for adult learners who not only want to learn more about Florida environments, but to learn how to share that knowledge. This sharing can occur formally in the classroom or informally while gabbing to your neighbor over the connecting fence- or any permutation in between.
After graduating from these initial classes, students have:
- joined our nature center non-profit board
- created their own non-profit with a focus on frogs and potable water
- operate a monthly children's program aimed at getting kids outdoors and learning about the environment
- developed exhibits for the nature center
- contributed to quarterly Camp Bayou newsletter
- volunteered for cleanups, special outreach events and restoration projects
- gave guided walk/talks to children and adults to spread the word about the benefits of native plants in our landscapes
plus many more possibilities that are in the works.

The goal of these classes is not just to learn about these subjects for yourself, but to share what you've learned with others in meaningful ways to continue bringing environmental awareness to everyone that visits or resides in Florida. Maybe one day, everyone will understand that we are all connected to the natural world around us and that what we do has consequences now and for our future.

#BAD12 #powerofwe
Pictured: One of the final projects from the most recent coastal module FMNP class.

Camp Bayou Buzzzzz! online

This quarter's issue of the Camp Bayou Buzzzzz! is now available online at www.campbayou.org . For those who wondered why they didn't get an email reminder, our email service has discontinued our account and we need to find another method of delivery.
Don't miss out on this issue- lots of great news including citizen science suggestions, photos of spring highlights, our Back to School event and other upcoming events.

January programs at Camp Bayou

The year's first Family Naturalist Hour, held on New Year's Day, was a fun and educational session to find, mark and document gopher tortoise burrows at Camp Bayou. More than 20 burrows were inspected for signs of activity then GPS'd for future reference. The monthly Family Naturalist Hour is held on the first Saturday each month starting at 9:30am. Participation is limited to 5 families so call to reserve your space at 813-641-8545. The next event at Camp Bayou will be a service project for MLK Day, Monday, January 17, 2011. Bring your canoe or kayak and join the cleanup crew to paddle around the island south of Camp Bayou to pick up trash, fishing line and other items that are not a natural part of the Little Manatee River. Contact Dolly if you'd like to participate in the river cleanup, campbayou@gmail.com or 813-363-5438. Check out all the future events on the calendar at http://www.campbayou.org/ . If you are visiting the South Shore Regional Library on 19th Ave NE in Ruskin this month, be sure to check out the gallery of photos from Camp Bayou, including this year's Open House photo contest winners. Camp Bayou programs are Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature and No Child Left Inside inspired initiatives. 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 www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545. ### Photo: Checking out the tracks while learning about gopher tortoises and their burrows at Camp Bayou Photo credit: Celso Montalvo

Volunteer Workday- Sept 25

Volunteers at Camp Bayou will be working on a number of projects during National Public Lands Day. September 25 is also the day for the International Coastal Cleanup, coordinated in this area by Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful. Find YOUR favorite 'wild' place and be a responsible steward of your environment!

media release- Back to School- Back to Nature, Aug 1

Media contact: Dolly Cummings phone: 813-363-5438 2nd Annual Back to School- Back to Nature Event Remember when you were little and you spent a good part of your day catching butterflies or fireflies, hopping after toads or frogs or walking along a beach collecting seashells? It has been said that today's generation has lost that connection to nature. Not at Camp Bayou! An upcoming event will be a morning of hands-on fun- getting back to nature while getting the kids ready for back to school. Saturday, August 1, 2009 9am- noon FREE but pre-registration is requested. Easy online registration preferred, click the link at http://www.campbayou.org/ . If you don't have internet access, call Camp Bayou at 813-641-8545 to make your reservation. Be sure to leave your name, number attending, child's grade level and phone number. All children must be accompanied by an adult. What happens on the morning of the event? Sign in at the registration table. Kids can then start learning at one of our fun and educational stops on the 'Big Lawn'. After playing an eco-game, or learning to use a GPS or finding a doodlebug, or any one of the many activities at the nature stations, kids receive a free school supply item. Items given out include pens, pencils, looseleaf paper, spiral notebooks, and other useful items while supplies last. Raffle tickets will be drawn on the half hour for backpacks, Publix Supermarket gift cards and more throughout the morning. Don't worry about missing your raffle number- all winners will be displayed on the board on the 'Big Lawn' and in the registration area. You must, however, claim your prize before 2pm on the day of the event. A special surprise double-feature of films will also be shown in the classroom to help raise environmental awareness of some key issues. At noon there will be a butterfly release. Organizations planning to attend include: South Shore Regional Library Ruskin Branch Library Family Support & Resource Center Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful Florida Department of Forestry Camp Bayou Nature Center Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum 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 ELAPP 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/ . ### Photo: Dr. Diane Alvarez (right) talks to visitors about the butterflies found at Camp Bayou at last year's event Photo credit: Dolly Cummings

media release- Back to School- Back to Nature, Aug 1

Media contact: Dolly Cummings phone: 813-363-5438 2nd Annual Back to School- Back to Nature Event Saturday, August 1, 2009 9am- noon FREE but pre-registration is requested. Easy online registration preferred, click the link at http://www.campbayou.org/ . If you don't have internet access, call Camp Bayou at 813-641-8545 to make your reservation. Be sure to leave your name, number attending, child's grade level and phone number. All children must be accompanied by an adult. What happens on the morning of the event? Sign in at the registration table. Kids can then start learning at one of our fun and educational stops on the 'Big Lawn'. After playing an eco-game, or learning to use a GPS or touching a toad, or any one of the many activities at the nature stations, kids receive a free school supply item. Items given out include pens, pencils, looseleaf paper, spiral notebooks, and other useful items. Raffle tickets will be drawn on the half hour for backpacks, Publix Supermarket gift cards and more throughout the morning. Don't worry about missing your raffle number- all winners will be displayed on the board in the registration area. You must, however, claim your prize before 2pm on the day of the event. 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 Camp Bayou Nature Center Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum to name just a few... Camp Bayou is a partnership between the Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. 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. Visit us on the web at http://www.campbayou.org/ . ### Pictured: Herb and Sharon Berman talk to visitors about the frog's life cycle at last year's Back to School- Back to Nature Event

Sept. 27 event

Planned Family and Youth Activities include:
1) Coloring pages from SWFWMD
2) Water bracelets from SWFWMD
3) Create nature cards in support of NPLD, Arbor Day and No Child Left Inside Act
4) Let's Design a Xeriscape - Landscape design
5) Various videos relating to the land
6) Native Plant Identification Game
7) Air Plant Terrarium

Linking to the Land-Going for the Gold- Sept 27

Notice from Janet Zicht who is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award Project: "Linking to the Land-Going for the Gold" Event: In association with National Public Lands Day; with an emphasis on water conservation and the use of Florida native plants. Free of charge. Who: Open to the Public, Families, Scout Troops, and anyone needing volunteer service hours are welcome! National Public Lands Day is fun for ALL ages! Event director: Janet Zicht-Ambassador Girl Scout Troop 966 Sunset Scouts Service Unit of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Contact: If you have any questions or concerns please email me at gem0402@hotmail.com. When: Saturday, September 27, 2008 9 a.m. -12 p.m. Event will be held rain or shine. Where: Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center 4140 24th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570 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. For more information visit www.campbayou.org How you can help: Please join me on Sept. 27, 2008 for National Public Lands Day, at Camp Bayou. Everyone will be able to explore and help beautify the camp and learn ways to give back to the land. There will be family-oriented activities that will center on Florida Eco-Friendly Techniques. We have activities for every age group. Volunteers are invited to assist in various beautification efforts at camp which may include the following: · Litter and debris removal · Reducing the volume of invasive plants that threaten fragile natives · Trail maintenance · Gardening · Other environmental beautification and conservation activities Family-oriented and children activities centered on nature and water conservation. · Games and hands-on activities from pre-school age thru adults. · Clinic on the use of Florida native plants · "Goodie Bags" of eco-related items for all participants · Eco-related literature will be available for distribution How to register for this event: To register for the event, please email Janet Zicht at gem0402@hotmail.com and Karen Zicht at kzicht@tampabay.rr.com with the following information: 1) Primary Contact Name, address, phone#, email address 2) Number and ages of participants 3) Group/Organization Name (ie: Scout Troop#/ age level) if applicable 4) Anyone interested in facilitating children activities and supervising park beautification activities, organizational meetings will be held in early September. Please provide contact information so additional information can be provided. 5) All volunteers will be asked to fill out a liability form through the county to participate in park beautification efforts. This form will require parent/guardian signature for anyone under 18. Deadline to Register for Event: September 17, 2008 Prior registration for this event will enable us to provide the liability form and additional details relating to the event. It will also enable us to have adequate supplies the day of the event. Purpose of Event I am working on my Girl Scout Gold Award Project and my goals are to promote Florida Eco-Friendly Landscaping Techniques through the use of native plants and to promote water conservation efforts. I'm partnering with Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center and National Public Lands Day event to promote the theme of my project. What is National Public Lands Day? It's the Nation's largest volunteer event held annually across the country that benefits America's public lands. This year will be their 15th Anniversary and occurs on September 27, 2008. This annual event improves public lands for outdoor recreation, through the use of volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work. NPLD event strives to educate Americans about critical environmental and natural resources issues. Their goal is to preserve and protect America's natural heritage that so many have come to enjoy. What does this mean for Girl Scouts? This is the 5th year; GSUSA is linking formally with National Public Lands Day where Girl Scouts can participate in the Linking Girls to the Land Program (LGTTL). Through partnerships with federal and local natural resource agencies and LGTTL program, Girl Scouts can earn "Get With The Land Patch." Their partnership works towards giving every Girl Scout an opportunity to participate in conservation and outdoor programs. Go to the Linking Girls to the Land website at www.epa.gov/linkinggirls.com to learn more about the program.

Critter Count- 8/9/08

with TBEP 'Give a Day for the Bay' volunteers!