INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A wide range of summer camps for students from pre-kindergarten through the 7th grade is available at the Environmental Learning Center (ELC) this summer.
Half day adventures are offered to children who are entering pre-kindergarten through the 3rd grade. Full day adventures target students entering the 4th through the 7th grades. The aim of all these programs is to help the student discover and appreciate the variety of living things that populate the Indian River Lagoon, and at the same time, have fun doing it.
There are numerous half day sessions that run for four consecutive days during June and July. “Little Wonders” introduces pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children who are at least four years old to nature through eco-activities, stories, and crafts.
“Young Explorers” for those entering the 1st grade explores the forests, gardens, and trails on the ELC’s island campus. “Our Living World” is an opportunity for those entering the 2nd and 3rd grades to learn more about all the plants and animals on the island campus. Participants will receive a snack and a drink each day. The cost for each child is $60, or $55 for ELC Members, for the four day session.
For those entering the 4th and the 5th grades, “Island Adventure” will be spent exploring the barrier island and several islands in the Indian River Lagoon by canoeing, hiking, beachcombing, seining, and boating for three consecutive days. Highlights include the use of GPS for geocaching, exploring islands in the Lagoon, and seine netting off of a spoil island. The cost per student is $110, or $100 for ELC Members.
“Marine Safari” for those entering the 6th and the 7th grades is an energy intensive program where the participants will discover marine life through snorkeling, canoeing, beachcombing, and boating in the Indian River Lagoon. Students will enjoy seine netting in some of the best grass flats in the Lagoon, and great snorkeling in a tidal pool at the Sebastian Inlet. The cost for each student is $120, or $110 for ELC Members, for the three day program.
The complete schedule is available on line at www.DiscoverELC.org. To register for any of the programs or get additional information, call (772)589-5050 ext. 114.
There are a limited number of scholarships available through the Maggy Bowman Scholarship Fund. An application may be requested by calling ELC Naturalist, Rosemary Badger, at (772) 589-5050 ext. 108.
Adventures start at the Environmental Learning Center which is located north of Vero Beach off County Road 510 at the end of the Wabasso Bridge. Its 64-acre campus includes exhibit areas, native plant gardens, picnic facilities, gift shop, and visitor center. ELC membership benefits, a list of its many field excursions, Eco-ventures, including nature walks, canoe excursions, and boating adventures can be found at www.DiscoverELC.org. Admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free, and ELC Members receive free admission year-round. The first Saturday of every month is free to all.
The ELC is located at 255 Live Oak Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963
