School Break Camps at the Environmental Learning Center
The Environmental Learning Center has school break camps planned for November 20-22 and January 2-4, 2024. The first Sea To Shore Camp during Thanksgiving break is for 2nd to 5th graders and the January Sea To Shore Camp is offered to 4th through 8th grade students. These full-day camps is 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM and will give students the chance to learn about Florida’s great outdoors from ELC’s knowledgeable environmental educators. Plans are to explore the estuary and coastal habitats and wildlife along the Indian River Lagoon. Activity plans include a boat trip to a spoil island and Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge, a canoe excursion, seine netting, and nature crafts. Daily agenda details are on the ELC website. Registration for the camp is $300 and ELC members are eligible for a discounted rate of $270.
Middle and high school students can sign up for one of the Children’s Services Advisory Council-funded STEAM Camps. This three-day experience includes learning how to fly a drone, build a robot, and explore the Indian River Lagoon. The camp is free for income-eligible participants and the time is 9:00 AM-1:00 PM each day.
Day 1
Indian River Lagoon
Bonding Breakfast – introductions begin with a build your own yogurt parfait with fresh fruit, honey, and organic granola. Muffins, bagels, and OJ also available.
Kids Yoga – stretch into different animal shapes as we start our day with mindful exercise.
Canoe Excursion – paddle the Indian River Lagoon observing wildlife and experience the magical mangrove tunnels hidden around ELC’s campus. Learn about manatees, seagrass, dolphin, mangrove crabs, and more.
Lunch – bring your own eco-friendly bagged lunch and enjoy our shaded picnic areas.
Holiday Craft Hour – create a family heirloom from natural and recycled items that will be cherished for years to come.
Ice Cream Sundae Party – scoop your favorite flavors and end the day with a cherry on top!
Day 2
Coastal Ecology
Sebastian Inlet State Park – hop in the ELC van as we take a short trip north to the Sebastian Inlet State Park, known around the world for premier fishing and surfing. Learn about the Atlantic Ocean and its swift current flowing from the Gulf of Mexico.
Beach Treasure Walk – explore the ocean wrack line looking for treasures! Learn about the Archie Carr Refuge and why its so important for sea turtles.
Lunch – eat lunch at Surfside Grill located right on the ocean.
Holiday Craft Hour – create a homemade souvenir to remember the amazing time you had or make a holiday gift for a loved one.
Fruit Smoothie Party – cool down with blended fresh fruit and fixings’ for the ultimate smoothie!
Day 3
Barrier Island
Spoil Island Trip – board ELC’s pontoon boat, Discover, and cruise over to a spoil island, created by dredging up the shallow bottom of the lagoon to make a navigable channel for large boats to travel.
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge – next stop by boat, we’ll visit Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is a 3 acre island rookery where thousands of local and migrating birds flock to breed, nest, or raise their young. Observe and identify birds such as osprey, ibis, roseate spoonbills, brown pelicans, and more.
Discovery Station – back at ELC, learn about our unique Indian River Lagoon with interactive exhibits. See the native fish living in our aquariums. Feel a horseshoe crab or sea urchin at our Touch Tank, hear the sounds of our active indoor/outdoor beehive display and try to find the queen. Learn the difference between a healthy lagoon and an unhealthy lagoon with our seagrass tanks.
Scavenger Hunt – explore ELC’s lagoon-island campus searching for clues to where the eco items are hidden.
Seine Netting – work as a group to use special seine nets and collect specimens for an even closer look at the tiny animals living there.
Pizza Party – lunch is a hot pizza delivered to ELC and enjoyed at our shaded picnic areas as we celebrate everything we’ve learned with our new friends!
