Camp Bayou lets kids earn free school supplies

In less than a month, South Shore students will be headed back to the classroom for another school year.

But before they do, Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is giving them a chance to enjoy nature, have some fun and walk away with free school supplies.

The Ruskin-based nature preserve is hosting its annual Back to School-Back to Nature event from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow. Admission is free, and registration is required to ensure enough school supplies are purchased.

"This is a great way for kids to spend part of their day outdoors and earn school supplies by doing hands-on activities," said Dolly Cummings, Camp Bayou manager. "Last year, we had 160 children participate, and we hope for more this year."

Activities will include Enviro-jeopardy, with age-based categories; Fossil Fun; Ant Lion Safari; Fire IQ; a litter game; water insect identification; and more.

The day is sponsored by Camp Bayou, Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, Hillsborough County Solid Waste, SouthShore Regional Library, Ruskin Branch Library, the Florida Department of Forestry and Florida Master Naturalists.

Each organization will host a station where children participate and earn specific school supplies, including pens and pencils, a spiral notebook, loose-leaf paper, ruler, eraser and more. There will be a chance drawing for backpacks, gift certificates and other items.

Camp Bayou is at 4140 24th St. S.E.

Cummings said the county will be cleaning the ditches along 24th Street between 14th and 21st avenues, so there will be detour signs posted to direct visitors to the nature preserve. Gates open at 9 a.m.; visitors are directed to park along 24th because interior spaces are reserved for the disabled.

Camp Bayou is a 160-acre nature preserve in the Little Manatee River system. The environmental education and hands-on learning center is operated by the Ruskin Community Development Foundation in cooperation with Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Back to School-Back to Nature

WHERE: Camp Bayou Nature Preserve, 4140 24th St. S.E., Ruskin

WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon, tomorrow

ADMISSION: Free

ACTIVITIES: Hands-on, nature-related games and challenges; nature trails; birding and butterfly gardens; canoe trail; nature library; Paleo Preserve fossil museum

INFORMATION: (813) 641-8545 or visit www.camp bayou.org