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.

Enjoy the Outdoors this Holiday Season

Making holiday wreaths

With the busy holidays upon us, be sure to enjoy some time outdoors to re-energize and refresh your mood. The First Saturday Nature Topic for December will create holiday decorations with natural materials. The hour long workshop, starting at 9:30am, is suitable for all ages. Participants will have the option to create a grapevine wreath, pine cone ornaments or other holiday themed nature craft. There's no fee to attend but please RSVP at this link: https://goo.gl/forms/HKgvUMdRCJjHu7kK2

HCC students

December 1 is also the grand opening of the Enchanted Forest Storybook Trail. Students at Hillsborough Community College at SouthShore, enrolled in the Honors Institute, are completing their Service Learning project at Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center. As undergraduates enrolled in an Honors Leadership class, they are learning about career theories that emphasize understanding of oneself as a unique individual which will serve as the basis for developing effective leadership abilities. The group , pictured, includes: Alexa Perez, Maria Brunelo, Ramey Johnson, Tara Perreault, and Zoe Valente. They chose to do their project at Camp Bayou based on their mutual interest and love of the outdoors. The group reached out to Camp Bayou after learning of their need for additional help around the nature preserve in an area known as the "Enchanted Trail". The trail will be open for guests starting at 9am.


Did you know that Camp Bayou will be celebrating its 20th anniversary next year? There is a special event planned so Save the Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019.


Camp Bayou is also 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 us 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.

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 Fun in March

We have a new activity for visitors to Camp Bayou. Our simulated archaeological dig (that's pottery, not fossils), that normally is only open for pre-registered groups, will now be offered any Thursday- Saturday between 9am and 1pm for just $5 per child. Interested participants just stop in at the Visitor's Center to pick up their 'Tool kit' and instructions.

Monthly one hour programs cover a special topic on the first Saturday of each month.
March 4: Citizen Science for All- Dolly will take visitors on the trail to find and report valuable data that may help scientists understand the changes over time.
April 1: The life cycle of butterflies and their pollinating abilities will be explained by Donna during a walking tour through Camp Bayou's Butterfly Habitat, where Florida native plants are grown as adult nectar sources and larval host plants for the native butterfly population.  The Habitat was created and maintained by the Eagle Audubon Society in Sun City Center, and serves as an example of how Florida native plants can easily become valuable additions to your own home landscape.

May 6: Jeri will lead an Ant Lion Safari. Find out what those little circles in the sand contain and get a good look at what's inside.

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

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

The third Saturday canoe tour for March has been canceled but there will be a special Firefly Paddle on Friday, March 10 starting at 6pm. Canoes 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.

Environmental educators, both formal and informal, are encouraged to register for the Spring 2017 LEEF mini-conference to be held at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center in Apollo Beach on Saturday, March 18, 2017. For more information and to register, visit http://leef-florida.org .

A Project Learning Tree Teacher Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 9am-3pm at Camp Bayou. Due to a generous sponsor, there is no charge for the workshop. Limited to 15 participants and suitable for formal and non-formal educators. Register online at www.campbayou.org or email campbayou@gmail.com .

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-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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Camp Bayou Activities Update

Camp Bayou is still busy with activities through the end of the year. Be sure to mark your calendar for these activities:

On Saturday, November 21, starting at 9 am, there will be a guided canoe tour around the island south of Camp Bayou.  Canoe rental is $25 for a 3 person canoe or join us with your own canoe or kayak for a $5 donation.

A Night Hike is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 5:30 -7 pm.Experience the forest using only your natural night vision- no flashlights will be used. Hike will end with a campfire and s'mores. A donation of $5 is requested to help cover the cost of supplies.

Pre-registration is required for both these activities, please call 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com.

Camp Bayou is looking for volunteers to help with nature programs during school field trips. If you like spending time outdoors, observing our natural world and sparking an interest in the science of nature and/or Florida's native people, then contact our volunteer coordinator, Jeri Hundertmark, at 813-641-8545 to get started.

A Project Learning Tree (PLT) Teacher Workshop will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 (MLK Day), 9am- 3pm. PLT offers a variety of materials for use with youth in grades PreK-8 including curriculum materials developed for use nationwide and supplementary materials created specifically for Florida educators. An emphasis on correlations to citizen science opportunities will also be presented. Sponsors are being sought to cover the cost of curriculum guides and materials. Teachers must pre-register at campbayou@gmail.com or call 813-641-8545.

The Freshwater Wetlands module for the Florida Master Naturalist Program will begin at Camp Bayou in January 2016. For more information and to register, visit http://masternaturalist.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. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.

What's coming up at Camp Bayou

The monthly guided canoe tours at Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center continue through the Spring.

- Saturday, March 28, 9am-11am

- Saturday, April 18, 9am-11am

- Saturday, May 30, 9am-11am

Reservations are required for all canoe tours. Three-seater canoe rentals are available for $25 each. Bring your own canoe or kayak and join the tour for a $5 donation. Call the office at 813-641-8545 or email campbayou@gmail.com to make reservations or for more information.

Save the Date for Camp Bayou's National Trails Day event on the morning of Saturday, June 6. Guided tours on land and water will be offered from 9am-noon with a fundraising BBQ lunch of pulled pork, side dish, beverage and dessert.

There will be a free teacher workshop on Saturday, June 20 from 9am- 3pm. Activities from FWC's Schoolyard Wild and Schoolyard Ecosystems will be presented. Participants will receive at least 2 curriculum guides at the end of the workshop. Workshop suitable for public and private school teachers, youth group leaders and homeschool parents. For more information, visit http://myfwc.com/education/educators/schoolyard-wildlife.

These activities are part of Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, Let's Move Outside, 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 accessible 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. The Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum is open most Saturdays- please call before you visit.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), in a public- private partnership with 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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Last call: Teacher Workshop- Schoolyard WILD and Ecosystems, Saturday, Dec 13, 2014

Schoolyard Wildlife - Hillsborough County

 

12/13/2014

When:	12/13/2014 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM
Where:	Map this event » Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center 4202 24th Street South East Ruskin, Florida  33570 United States
Presenter:	Dolly Cummings
Contact:	Dolly Cummings campbayou@gmail.com Phone: (813) 641-8545

Details

Schoolyard Wildlife Activities & Ecology teach adult educators of K-12 students how to turn school grounds into an effective outdoors classroom. Workshops provide educators with high quality, Florida-specific natural history and ecology lessons, and natural science explorations. The Activity Guide contains 35 field-tested activities with blackline masters focusing on wildlife education and ecology on school grounds. This six-hour workshop targets educators in grades K-6. Participants receive the Handbook to Schoolyard Plants & Animals and the Schoolyard Wildlife Activity Guide.

To learn more about the workshop visit:  http://myfwc.com/education/educators/schoolyard-wildlife/ 

This workshop will be held on Saturday, December 13th, 2014

http://www.campbayou.org/

http://outreach.myfwc.com/events/event_details.asp?id=495276&group=

Dolly Cummings
"Sharing Nature in Our Community"
Homepage: www.campbayou.org

We are BOLD- Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc.
Cause-shopping: www.igive.com/campbayou