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Camp Bayou Is A Treasure That Too Few People Visit

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By DOLLY CUMMINGS

Special to the News & Tribune

Published: April 1, 2009

Editor's note: Dolly Cummings is the manager of Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin.

I don't consider myself a stupid person.

Of course, I'm no Einstein either. But after 10 years of managing the Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, I hoped we would have a much greater number of annual visitors than we do.

Our most recent event, the Citizen Science Symposium, was a mix of guided walks, critter counts and bubble experiments. It also included local scientists who discussed their research and information about how folks can make valuable contributions in their own neighborhoods. Attendance was disappointing to say the least.

In a county with more than a million people, not to mention another million or so in neighboring counties, there certainly isn't a lack of potential. So where were all the people?

We - and I mean committee members, volunteers, and frankly, anyone who'll give an opinion - have been kicking around a few possibilities:

•Is the name misleading? "Camp Bayou" conjures up the image of public campgrounds or youthful summer camps. The name has been maintained over the years in an effort to live up to part of our mission, which is "to use this center for the purpose of promoting appreciation and understanding of our natural resources and of our local culture and history." Nature-based tourism has been going on in Florida for a very long time, and the Ruskin area has not been lacking in its wildlife abundance and easy-going style.

•Is Camp Bayou just for kids? The idea that Camp Bayou is for kids is true, but it's not just for kids. There are a variety of activities geared for a wide spectrum of age groups and interests. In addition to programs for youth, such as fossil digs, river netting and nature crafts, there are programs for adults that include writing workshops, guided walks and the more formal 40-hour Florida Master Naturalist Program courses.

•Do we need more formal marketing so more people hear about us? Clearly, some paid advertising wouldn't hurt, but even before the current economic climate, Camp Bayou has persisted solely through donations, membership dollars, volunteers and an occasional grant. There has never been the kind of funding available to do any serious or sustainable marketing effort. Word of mouth has always been our most productive method of bringing in new visitors. As you can imagine, this is a very slow, though steady process.

Have you heard of Camp Bayou before reading this column? Have you visited? Have you visited lately? If you have thoughts on why you believe Camp Bayou is not as popular as it could be, I'd be interested to hear them. Just e-mail your ideas to Dolly at campbayou @yahoo.com. You just might have the key to release the frustration that is caused by the void between what is and what could be!

The next event at Camp Bayou is the Spring Open House on April 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out www.campbayou.org to see the entire calendar of events.
Camp Bayou is a partnership between the Ruskin Community Development Foundation Inc. and the Hillsborough County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of State Road 674 at the end of 24th St. S.E. in Ruskin.

STILL TIME TO HELP

If you missed Camp Bayou's Citizen Science Symposium March 20 and 21, you can still get involved in helping scientists right in your own neighborhood. Visit the Citizen Science Blog for a list of possibilities at www.citizenscience atcampbayou.blogspot.com. The symposium was made possible by a Community Education Grant from the Alafia River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Camp Bayou is at 4140 24th Street S.E. in Ruskin. Cummings can be reached by leaving a message at (813) 641-8545.

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