Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends

By Madison Bierl
| 8:15 a.m. February 22, 2026

Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.

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From headlamps to glowsticks, campers found creative ways to light up Greenbrook Adventure Park during the eighth annual Lakewood Ranch Community Campout on Feb. 21.

Approximately 150 people attended.

Greenbrook's Jason Piercy has attended the event every year.

"It's just to create memories," Piercy said. "We've got our family here and friends here. It’s just a good night to kind of check away from the world and just enjoy each other."

Jase Piercy, Jason's 10-year-old son, said he looks forward to the event. He doesn't camp any other time.

"I like the science, and the movie at night," Jase Piercy said. "It's fun to look at the stars and the moon. We get to run around and get all our energy out."

Christina Barshinger, who has attended the campout for the last four years, came with a group of campers from an American Heritage Girls troop. They were earning their camping badge.

"What we love about this is that our children are super safe," Barshinger said. "We don't have to worry about snakes or bears. Traditional camping can kind of feel a little eerie but here we have all the amenities. The bathrooms are right here, and the food trucks are here. I feel like I can relax."

Keith Pandeloglou, the president and CEO of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities, said it is interesting to see the shift in the age of attendees. He said the first year there were more teenagers, but now the children tend to be younger.

"It's something different that's not in front of a screen," Pandeloglou said. "As an organization, we're mission driven by in-person connections and just seeing kids run has been great. I haven't seen a phone yet."

Calvin Marxen, Gabby Giobergia, Avery Weakley, Harmony Wise and Kynzie Rogers are eager to spend time with friends new and old.

Chris Szymczakowski and his two sons, 11-year-old Mason and 10-year-old Jason, stop for a bite to eat at the Dawg Pound food truck.

Bradenton's Harmony Wise, 4, spent her birthday at the campout. She couldn't wait to get her very own snow cone from the Sweet Addys food truck.

Addison Vosler, Lana Gagnon (back), Genevieve Dreyer and Avery Zych are eager to watch the Disney movie "Luca" on the big screen.

Lakewood Ranch's Holden Christoff, 8, settles into his tent where he will spend the night.

Lakewood Ranch's Zyla Piercy, Claire Haertel, Jase Piercy and Jacob Haertel are camping in style with a hammock to lounge in.

Justin Layman, a Lakewood Ranch High School graduate, provides live music at the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout.

Lakewood Ranch's Eva Malysheva, 6, came to the campout with her dad Taras Malyshev. They have never camped before and thought it was a great opportunity to try it out.

Lakewood Ranch's Eva Malysheva, 6, says she got to see Jupiter through the telescope. Her favorite planet is Saturn because of the rings.

An American Heritage Girls troop attended the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout to earn their camping badges.

Elliott Alexander, 15 months, and his mom Kayla are happy attend the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout among family and friends.

Campers gather to watch 2021 Disney movie "Luca" on the big screen at the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.