SEBASTIAN — As summer approaches, several Indian River County organizations are preparing camps that blend education, adventure, and creativity for local children, from treasure hunting at the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum to art exploration at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, environmental discovery at the Environmental Learning Center, and full-day programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Mel Fisher Treasure Museum Offers Week to Remember Camp for Young Adventurers
The Mel Fisher Treasure Museum will host a “Week to Remember” summer camp at its Sebastian location, giving children ages 7 to 10 a chance to explore history and real-life treasure hunting with the museum’s crew.
The five-day program is scheduled for June 8-12 and runs daily from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Campers will dive into the world of shipwrecks and sunken treasure through hands-on lessons and activities led by experts connected to Mel Fisher’s legendary recoveries.
Activities include metal detecting instruction, conservation techniques, archaeology basics, arts-and-crafts projects, scavenger hunts, and an opportunity to meet a professional treasure hunter. The camp blends education with excitement to teach children about Florida’s maritime history and the science behind underwater discoveries.
The cost is $250 per person for the full week. The fee includes daily snacks, drinks, and all program materials. Participants should bring their own lunch each day.
To reserve a spot, call the museum at (772) 589-0435.
Vero Beach Museum of Art Summer Staycation Art Camp for Kids Ages 5-16
The Vero Beach Museum of Art will host its annual Summer Art Camp from June 1 through July 24, 2026, inviting young artists to explore local themes under the banner “Summer Staycation.”
Campers will celebrate what makes their own community special, from beaches to backyards and night skies, while experimenting with a variety of art materials and techniques. Sessions are divided into age groups for children ages 5 to 16. There will be no camp on Friday, June 19.
Each day, participants will visit the museum’s galleries to view and discuss artworks tied to the weekly theme. Their own creations will be displayed weekly in the Patricia M. Patten Community Gallery. Families can view the exhibit and take home projects every Friday.
Professional educators lead the program. All faculty members are experienced art educators skilled in working with children in both informal and formal settings.
Classes meet Monday through Friday at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Park Drive. Morning sessions run from 9 a.m. to noon, and afternoon sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. Optional supervised lunch is available from noon to 1 p.m. for an additional fee. Campers should pack their own lunch.
Registration and costs. Each one-week session costs $115 for museum members and $135 for non-members. All art supplies are included. Supervised lunch costs an extra $40 per week.
Parents should dress children for mess-making in the studio. Campers will have daily snack breaks, so a healthy snack and drink are recommended.
Registration is available online at www.vbmuseum.org.
Cancellation and refund policies. Tuition is nonrefundable once a session begins, as spaces are held exclusively for enrolled campers. The museum may cancel sessions and will offer either a comparable class or a full refund. For cancellations requested at least two weeks before a session starts, refunds are issued minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds are available within two weeks of the start date.
Limited scholarships are available. Details can be found at https://www.vbmuseum.org/summer-art-camp/.
The program offers families a creative way for children to spend part of their summer discovering art while staying connected to the local Vero Beach community.
Environmental Learning Center Launches 2026 Wild Lagoon Summer Camps
The Environmental Learning Center is opening registration for its Wild Lagoon Summer Camps 2026, inviting young explorers in grades one through eight to immerse themselves in hands-on environmental education and outdoor adventures along the Indian River Lagoon.
The camps, scheduled for nine weekly sessions from early June through early August, emphasize experiential learning that integrates aquatic activities, scientific inquiry, and nature-based recreation, officials said. Each five-day program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with drop-off beginning at 8:30 a.m. and pickup starting at 2:30 p.m.
Campers will participate in a rotating selection of activities designed to foster appreciation for local ecosystems while developing practical skills, according to the ELC. Offerings include canoeing, archery, fort building, wildlife encounters, and pontoon boat excursions with island picnics. Laboratory components feature plankton studies, electro-lab experiments, squid dissections, and a “Plant a Propagule Project.”
Additional highlights include escape rooms, arts and crafts, sea turtle treks, and field trips to nearby sites such as Sebastian Inlet State Park, Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, and the McLarty Treasure Museum. Children are grouped by age for developmentally appropriate programming.
Weekly rates are set at $325, with a 10 percent discount available to ELC members. Scholarships are offered to families in need of financial assistance.
The 2026 schedule includes:
- Week 1: June 1-5
- Week 2: June 8-12
- Week 3: June 15-19
- Week 4: June 22-26
- Week 5: July 6-10
- Week 6: July 13-17
- Week 7: July 20-24
- Week 8: July 27-31
- Week 9: Aug. 3-7
The Environmental Learning Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education in Indian River County, operates the camps to encourage stewardship of Florida’s natural resources through immersive outdoor experiences. The facility is located in Vero Beach and offers year-round programs for all ages.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County – Summer Programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County serves youth ages 6-18 across three locations in Vero Beach, Sebastian, and Fellsmere. Our Summer Program seeks to provide youth with meaningful recreational and educational opportunities; to achieve the priority outcome areas for clubs:
- Academic Success
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Good Character and Citizenship
The Summer Program is available from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm daily, Monday through Friday.
Weeks of program: June 1, 2026, through August 7, 2026.
Their clubs will be closed for holiday observations on June 19th, 2026, and July 3, 2026.
For more details, visit https://www.bgcirc.org/summer/.
Parents and guardians interested in these enriching summer experiences are encouraged to register soon, as spots fill up quickly. Whether children seek pirate treasure adventures, artistic inspiration, hands-on nature exploration, or structured daily activities, these local programs offer valuable opportunities to learn, play, and grow while discovering the unique treasures of Florida’s Treasure Coast.
