- March 28, 2025
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Harmony's Melissa McDermott and her neighbors Danielle Caiano and Andy Caiano do a little kicking back at the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton's Joe Presley tells kids about fossils before leading them on a nature walk at the 2023 Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyGreenbrook 9-year-old Henry Budde found the Community Campout to be a good time to work on his soccer skills.
Photo by Ian SwabyBradenton's Joe Presley, right, leads the group on a nature walk during the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota 8-year-old Rhea Krolik and Edgewater 8-year-old Emma Ives examine things they found during a Community Campout nature walk.
Photo by Ian SwabyGreenbrook's 13-year-old Drake Cohen, and Tom Cohen, brought their bikes to the Community Campout for a little exercise.
Photo by Ian SwabyBlake Padgett, Melissa McDermott, 9-year-old Josie Reed, and Lisa Reed examine a collection of fossils and artifacts at the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyJoe Presley brought a collection of fossils and artifacts he had found over the years in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bradenton's Justin Layman provides the entertainment at the Community Campout at the Adventure Park.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlex Martin of Sidewalk Science Center tells Lorraine Lakes' Danny Norris and 9-year-old Cainlynn Norris about the stars.
Photo by Ian SwabyWindsong Acres' Daryl Haworth and Arbor Grande's Michael Bugel stirs the flames at the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyHarmony's Joseph Revis, 6-year-old Lia Revis, and 11-year-old Nicholas Revis enjoy the campfire and roast marshmallows at the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyDan Barshinger and 5-year-old Cora Barshinger give out glow sticks at the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyEleven-year-old Liam Pacheco (No. 12 on his shirt) roasts a marshmallow during the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian Swaby8-year-old Elijah Barshinger, 8, demonstrates his skill at making shadow puppets before the start of the movie screening during the Community Campout.
Photo by Ian SwabyDarkness falls over the makeshift campsite.
Photo by Ian SwabyIt's not exactly camping deep in the forest.
Lakewood Ranch Community Activities' annual Community Campout has a food truck, bike trails, a dog park, playgrounds, a feature movie, telescopes, and all the amenities that a county park offers.
And for this event, that's perfect.
So perfect that the 50 campsites being offered Feb. 25 were sold out in 10 days. Keith Pandeloglou, the executive director of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, had to add another 30 sites.
“We just absolutely love it. It’s a great family event,” said Greenbrook’s Tim Grewe, who said his family was returning for the third year in a row. “It’s a good time to bring everybody together and have a blast.”
Pandeloglou said about 30% of the campers were from Greenbrook and loved that they could camp in their backyard.
“While hardcore camping can require you to travel one two hours and pack a lot of things, this is more like Lakewood Ranch camping, so it's a little bit more subdued," Pandeloglou said.
Those who attend said they will continue to return.
“Everybody bonds and gets to know each other, and since it's an up-and-coming. community, it’s good to bond.”” said Lakewood Ranch’s Larry Santiago.
Grewe said his family loved the telescopes set up by the Sidewalk Science Center.
Sarasota's Christina Barshinger said her kids love the event.
“I think it's just wonderful when you can bring families and friends together, because the kids just have a blast,” Barshinger said. “It's a great place where you feel relaxed and feel safe. And the kids have the park and can run around and be safe.”
