• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Lakewood Ranch Community Campout fires up fun

Lakewood Ranch Community Campout returns to the Greenbrook Adventure Park.


  • By Brendan Lavell
  • | 9:10 a.m. February 24, 2021
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Tara Poulton and Michelle Bente watched as their children chased one another around Greenbrook Adventure Park.

The Greenbrook residents have been best friends since eighth grade, so they were happy to take their kids down the street to the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout and give Poulton's husband, Bill Poulton, a night at home for himself — but only after he came with them to set up the tent.

"It's a great setup," Tara Poulton said. "My husband and I camp pretty often, but it's nice to have an option so close to home with all these amenities."

There were plenty of amenities. Kids and families spread out across the park had the chance to enjoy a bonfire, live music, games, a movie, a nature walk and more at the Lakewood Ranch Community Campout on Feb. 20 and 21.

 

Greenbrook residents Michelle Bente and Tara Poulton, best friends since eighth grade, stand with their kids, Madelynn Bente, 7, Mary Anne Poulton, 6, and Mason Bente, 7, at the entrance to their tent.
Greenbrook residents Michelle Bente and Tara Poulton, best friends since eighth grade, stand with their kids, Madelynn Bente, 7, Mary Anne Poulton, 6, and Mason Bente, 7, at the entrance to their tent.
Lakewood Ranch employee Antonio Hernandez tends to the bonfire. He said Lakewood Ranch wasn't providing a communal s'mores table this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but plenty of families brought their own supplies.
Lakewood Ranch employee Antonio Hernandez tends to the bonfire. He said Lakewood Ranch wasn't providing a communal s'mores table this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but plenty of families brought their own supplies.
Lakewood Ranch resident Adriana Nazario, 10, lights a spark using a rod made of ferrocerium, a synthetic alloy made from iron and cerium.
Lakewood Ranch resident Adriana Nazario, 10, lights a spark using a rod made of ferrocerium, a synthetic alloy made from iron and cerium.
Mill Creek resident Matthew Vajanyi, 11, launches a Stomp Rocket to his friend, 12-year-old Daniel Norris.
Mill Creek resident Matthew Vajanyi, 11, launches a Stomp Rocket to his friend, 12-year-old Daniel Norris.
Greenbrook residents Jase Piercy, 5, and Colin Quimby, 5, play Frisbee. Quimby and Piercy are best friends at The Learning Experience daycare center.
Greenbrook residents Jase Piercy, 5, and Colin Quimby, 5, play Frisbee. Quimby and Piercy are best friends at The Learning Experience daycare center.
Lakewood Ranch resident Daniel Norris, 12, launches a Stomp Rocket to his friend, 11-year-old Matthew Vajanyi.
Lakewood Ranch resident Daniel Norris, 12, launches a Stomp Rocket to his friend, 11-year-old Matthew Vajanyi.
Greenbrook resident Mason Bente, 7, pauses during a game of tag. Bente was most excited about eating s'mores later.
Greenbrook resident Mason Bente, 7, pauses during a game of tag. Bente was most excited about eating s'mores later.
Greenbrook residents Madelynn Bente, 7, and Mary Anne Poulton, 6, enjoy a game of tag. They camped together because their moms have been best friends since the eighth grade.
Greenbrook residents Madelynn Bente, 7, and Mary Anne Poulton, 6, enjoy a game of tag. They camped together because their moms have been best friends since the eighth grade.
Greenbrook resident Bill Poulton sets up his family's tent. Poulton went home afterward to enjoy a night to himself while his wife, Tara Poulton, stayed with their kids and her best friend at the campout.
Greenbrook resident Bill Poulton sets up his family's tent. Poulton went home afterward to enjoy a night to himself while his wife, Tara Poulton, stayed with their kids and her best friend at the campout.
Parrish resident Juliana Martinez, 10, lights a spark using a rod made of ferrocerium, a synthetic alloy made from iron and cerium.
Parrish resident Juliana Martinez, 10, lights a spark using a rod made of ferrocerium, a synthetic alloy made from iron and cerium.
Parrish residents Tiffany and Aaron Gallegos enjoy a guided nature walk on one of Greenbrook's trails.
Parrish residents Tiffany and Aaron Gallegos enjoy a guided nature walk on one of Greenbrook's trails.

 

Latest News

Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
Charlie Shachat, a co-founder of the Foolishly Festive Christmas Parade, decided to be part of the show for the "Jaws" 50th anniversary.
  • December 19, 2025
Esplanade continues tradition of being 'foolishly festive' for parade
Lynnette Beecher and Gunilla Imshaug, members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club, check out a photo of a baby alligator that was taken moments before.
  • December 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch photography club preserves moments in time
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now