What ages can participate?

The program is for children ages 6–10.

When and where does the program meet?

Meet at the Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr Building A, Vero Beach; sessions run Saturdays, September 26–October 24, 1:00–3:00 PM.

Is supervision provided or is it drop-off only?

This is a drop-off program; instructors supervise children during the two-hour session.

Are art materials included?

Yes—materials are included in the $150 fee that covers all six sessions and the final art show.

Do children need prior art experience?

No prior experience is required; activities are designed for beginners and encourage exploration.

What should my child wear?

Dress for the beach: sun protection, closed-toe shoes for shoreline time, and a smock or old shirt for studio work.

Art of the Ocean: Vero Beach Marine Art & Science Program for Kids

Art of the Ocean is a hands-on, six-week children’s program held at the Environmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak Dr Building A, Vero Beach, FL 32963, USA. Designed for curious 6–10 year olds, this late‑season series blends marine science, outdoor exploration, and studio art across weekly two‑hour sessions. Each Saturday from September 26 to October 24, instructors lead small groups through an evolving curriculum that pairs a new ocean theme with creative projects: printmaking inspired by shell patterns, watercolor studies of shorebirds, and sculptures that echo seagrass and driftwood textures. The series culminates in a Family & Friends Art Show on November 1 where children display their work, practice presenting ideas, and celebrate conservation through creativity. The setting is as much a teacher as the lesson plan. Sessions use nearby shoreline, shallow tide pools, and estuarine edges to introduce young learners to the local marine tableau: oyster beds, seagrass meadows, small crabs and hermit crabs, and migratory shorebirds common to the Vero Beach coast. Those natural features—sand flats that reveal shells at low tide and dense seagrass beds that support juvenile fish—are perfect living examples for hands‑on observation and art interpretation. What makes this program special is the blend of studio technique and place-based science. Rather than an indoor craft class, Art of the Ocean connects pigment, paste, and play to real coastal systems, teaching stewardship as a creative practice. For families visiting or living in Vero Beach, it’s a kid-friendly way to introduce local ecology and a meaningful complement to other outdoor recreation in the area, from beachcombing to kayaking through estuarine channels. Practical details are straightforward: the drop‑off program runs 1:00–3:00 PM each Saturday, is priced at $150 per child for all six sessions (materials included), and requires no prior art experience. Parents appreciate the balance of guided instruction and free exploration—children gain observational skills, basic conservation habits, and a tangible art portfolio at the end. If you’re planning a fall visit to Vero Beach, reserve a spot early; small class sizes mean sessions fill. Bring sun protection and closed‑toe shoes for shoreline time, and expect a mix of studio warmup exercises and outdoor sketching. For young families seeking an engaging, educational escape, Art of the Ocean offers a chance to see coastal Florida through a child’s hands and eyes—curiosity, craft, and care rolled into two hours each week. The Environmental Learning Center has long served local families and school groups as a gateway to coastal science education; through programs like this it fosters early stewardship and strengthens connection to Vero Beach’s shoreline. Expect educators to introduce simple conservation actions—cleaning up litter, identifying native plants, and reducing plastics—that children can easily practice at home and on beach trips.