Want to experience nature while challenging yourself?

Golden canna, pickleweed and tiger lillies are just a few of the brightly colored Florida native flowers that garnish Carrollwood’s only outdoor obstacle course.

The creators, John Blazer and Sean Philippe, have constructed the course using no machinery in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. Located on North Dale Mabry Highway near Fletcher Avenue in the wooded area next to Piccadilly, the property has been in the Blazer family for over 30 years.

“My whole family is really into nature,” said Blazer.

Blazer works closely with the Hillsborough Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) to make sure that wildlife, plants and the private canal goes undisturbed by the obstacle course’s presence. They also work diligently to make sure all the vegetation surrounding the area is native to Florida.

The idea for Nature’s Boot Camp began a little over two years ago when Blazer recruited his nephew to help tend to the property as an extracurricular activity. The property, which once held over grown weeds and fallen tree branches, now houses an extreme fitness obstacle course.

Some of the challenges Nature’s Boot Camp offers are a cargo net, log wall and zip lines.

“We’ve had 20-30 people do the obstacle course. It takes about 30 minutes to learn the apparatus of it,” said Blazer.

A great workout in a peaceful environment are just some of the benefits at Nature’s Boot Camp. Another is experiencing wildlife in their natural habitat.

On any given day, the blue heron, named little blue, along with its pals, the roget spoonbill or ibis bird can be seen roaming along the bank of the canal.

Colorful dragon flies scathed the water as nature predators to pesky mosquitoes. Snapping turtles and fish enjoy the water and in the distance Red headed woodpeckers can be heard making homes in hollow trees.

Allen Rodriguez currently holds the record for the fastest completion time of Nature’s Boot Camp obstacle course. Rodriguez  has
competed in obstacle course challenges for over 11 years.

“It’s an excellent workout. It’s an extreme workout, different from what
you’d get at the gym,” said Rodriguez. “I would definitely recommend people to try it."

Fore more information or to make an appointment, contact Nature’s Boot Camp at 813-380-2667, or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/naturesbootcamp.