Vero Beach, FL – The Environmental Learning Center (ELC) is excited to announce that we’ve been voted the “Best Place for Kids” in the 2025 Indian River Magazine Best of the Treasure Coast awards. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it comes directly from the voices of our community—thank you for your support!
Why We’ve Earned This Title
We believe the ELC was chosen as the “Best Place for Kids” because of our commitment to creating engaging, educational, and unforgettable experiences for children of all ages. Here are some of the reasons why families love us:
- Hands-On Learning: Interactive programs and activities designed to connect children with nature.
- Eco-Adventures: Kayaking, pontoon boat tours, and other immersive experiences at our 64-acre lagoon-island campus.
- Nature Play: Dedicated areas like our nature playscape and imagination station, where kids can climb, dig, and explore the natural world in an unstructured, fun way.
- School Programs: Field trips and activities that make learning fun and impactful.
- Living Lagoon: Aquariums, a large touch tank, an indoor active beehive, a full-size manatee skeleton, and many other interpretive exhibits.
- Camps: Seasonal and summer camps that inspire curiosity and environmental stewardship.
Grateful for Your Support
This is not the first time our community has recognized ELC’s impact:
- Best Eco-Adventure (2023)
- Best Tourist Attraction (2024)
- Best Place for Kids (2025)
We are deeply grateful to be consistently acknowledged as a valued part of the Treasure Coast community.
This honor is not just about ELC—it’s about all of you who believe in our mission and show up for us, whether by visiting, volunteering, or voting in these awards. We are humbled by your continued support and inspired to keep delivering the programs and experiences you value so much.
“Being voted the ‘Best Place for Kids’ is a reflection of the heart of our mission,” said Barbara Schlitt Ford, Executive Director of the Environmental Learning Center. “We work hard to create a space where children can learn, grow, and develop a lifelong connection with the natural world. To have the community affirm that we’re achieving that goal means everything to us.”
About the Environmental Learning Center: The Environmental Learning Center is a 64-acre lagoon-island non-profit nature center dedicated to educating, inspiring, and empowering individuals to become active stewards of the environment.
For more information about the Environmental Learning Center, call 772-589-5050 or visit DiscoverELC.org.
