Programs
A Day in the Ocean Stewards After-School Program
Three days a week, Oceanside teens ages 13–17 show up for something that's part tutoring session, part environmental science class, part surf lesson — and entirely their own.
What the Program Actually Is
The Ocean Stewards After-School Program is an expanded learning opportunities program hosted three days a week — Tuesday through Thursday — in Oceanside, California. It's designed for teenagers between 13 and 17 years old, and it's free.
The program has four pillars: tutoring and academic support, environmental wellness and literacy, career exploration, and surfing. Those four things aren't separate tracks — they're woven together throughout the week.
Tuesday: Tutoring and Environmental Literacy
Tuesday sessions start with homework help and academic tutoring. For many participants, this is the most immediately practical part of the program — a quiet space with adults who can help them work through what's hard.
After tutoring, the session shifts to environmental literacy. This isn't a lecture about recycling. It's hands-on: water quality testing, marine debris identification, watershed mapping. Youth learn how the ocean they're about to surf in connects to the river that runs through their neighborhood, and to the mountains 50 miles east.
Wednesday: Career Exploration
Wednesday sessions focus on what comes next. Guest speakers from marine science, environmental policy, surf industry, and community organizing come in to talk about their paths. Youth work on professional skills — resume writing, public speaking, how to ask for what you need.
The goal isn't to funnel everyone into marine biology. It's to show teenagers from Oceanside that there are careers connected to the ocean and the environment that people who look like them actually do — and that those paths are accessible.
Thursday: In the Water
Thursday is surf day. Youth head to the beach with instructors, wetsuits, and boards — all provided. For many participants, the first session is their first time in the ocean. By the end of the program, most can paddle out and catch waves on their own.
But surf day isn't just about surfing. It's also when the environmental literacy from Tuesday becomes real. Youth do beach cleanups, observe marine life, and practice the water quality monitoring skills they've been learning. The ocean stops being an abstract concept and becomes a place they know.
What Participants Say
The most consistent thing we hear from participants is that the program made them feel like the ocean belongs to them. That sounds simple, but it's not. For teenagers who grew up in inland Oceanside neighborhoods, the beach can feel like someone else's space — too expensive, too white, too far. The Ocean Stewards program changes that.
How to Get Involved
If you're a teenager in Oceanside between 13 and 17, visit our program page to learn how to apply. If you're an adult who wants to support the work — as a volunteer, donor, or partner — visit our volunteer page.
The program runs year-round. Space is limited. We prioritize youth from underrepresented communities in Oceanside.