Youth After-School Program at La Jolla Shores, Windansea Beach near La Jolla, California

Un Mar de Colores · La Jolla, CA

Free Academic Support & Surf for La Jolla High Schoolers

Every Thursday is a beach day — surf instruction at The Strand, Tamarack, or Moonlight reinforcing the week's science.

Un Mar de Colores opera su programa estrella Ocean Stewards After-School para adolescentes de La Jolla de 13 a 17 años, en asociación con San Diego Unified School District. Los estudiantes se reúnen tres tardes a la semana para tutoría, alfabetización ambiental y exploración de carreras, con un día de playa los jueves en La Jolla Shores, Windansea Beach. Nuestro grupo de La Jolla proviene principalmente de Kate Sessions Elementary, Bird Rock Elementary. El transporte, las comidas, la tutoría y las clases de surf son completamente gratuitos.

Horario — programa en La Jolla

Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completamente gratis

Quizás sientes esto

  • Career counselors mention marine science, but no program connects La Jolla teens to actual coastal professionals.
  • Your teen needs after-school support, but paid tutoring in La Jolla costs more per hour than you can sustain all year.
  • School ends at 3pm and you're at work — unstructured hours in La Jolla feel risky when options are thin.

Lo que cambia cuando los jóvenes entran al agua

  • Citizen science and cleanup participation connect academics to real advocacy — teens become stewards, not consumers.
  • Parent and guardian engagement sessions keep families informed and involved — not sidelined.
  • Kumeyaay water and coastal perspectives integrated into science modules — not erased from environmental curriculum.

Por qué operamos este programa en La Jolla

La Jolla Shores has the gentlest beginner waves in San Diego County — a gradual sandbar bottom, 500 yards of lifeguarded beach, and consistent waist-high surf. Our cohorts come from San Diego Unified's Muirlands Middle, Kate Sessions Elementary, and Mission Bay High, with curriculum support from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Windansea serves only our advanced Surf Athletic Scholarship athletes.

Población
46,781
Residentes BIPOC
35%
Hogares hispanohablantes
22%
Distancia a la playa
En la costa

After-School Program en La Jolla — Lo que debes saber

After-school programs near La Jolla Shores, Windansea Beach for La Jolla teens run Tuesday through Thursday during the school year. Inland families rely on shuttles (on the coast) so weekly beach days aren't limited to coastal zip codes.

Environmental after-school in La Jolla should cover watershed-to-ocean science — especially Tijuana River cross-border pollution and why local beaches close after storms. Ocean Stewards curriculum integrates hydrology, policy, and coastal resilience.

Por qué La Jolla importa para nuestra misión

Parents in La Jolla often ask how a nonprofit can offer everything free. Answer: San Diego Foundation grants, community donors, and partners who believe La Jolla youth belong in the lineup — same as any other kid in San Diego.

With 46,781 residents, La Jolla is one of the communities where a single free surf cohort can change dozens of lives per season. Our shuttles and school partnerships make distance (on the coast) a logistics problem we solve, not a barrier families carry alone.

Dónde surfeamos en La Jolla

La Jolla Shores

Principiante

The safest beginner break in San Diego County. Gradual sandbar, 500 yards of lifeguarded beach, consistent waist-high surf.

La Jolla Shores is home to Scripps Institution of Oceanography, our partner for marine ecology curriculum. The beach is protected by the La Jolla Underwater Park & Ecological Reserve.

Fondo: SandOleaje: 1–4 ft typicalSalvavidas: Todo el año

Windansea Beach

Avanzado

Advanced-only break used exclusively for our Surf Athletic Scholarship cohort. Never used for beginner instruction.

Windansea is one of California's most historic surf spots, famously chronicled in Tom Wolfe's 'The Pump House Gang.' The iconic palm-frond shack dates to the 1940s.

Fondo: ReefOleaje: 3–12 ft typicalSalvavidas: Estacional

Socios comunitarios locales en La Jolla

En asociación con el San Diego Unified School District y organizaciones comunitarias locales, reclutamos jóvenes de 2+ escuelas Título I.

Distrito escolar y escuelas Título I

  • San Diego Unified School District
  • Kate Sessions Elementary
  • Bird Rock Elementary

Socios comunitarios

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography
  • La Jolla Recreation Center
  • San Diego Junior Lifeguards
  • La Jolla Historical Society (Kumeyaay coastal history)

Currículo del programa

The Ocean Stewards After-School Program is Un Mar de Colores's flagship year-round offering for BIPOC teens ages 13–17. Three afternoons a week, students meet at partner school sites for academic tutoring, environmental literacy modules aligned with the California NGSS standards, career exploration, and college preparation. Every Thursday is a beach day — students head to The Strand, Tamarack, or Moonlight for water programming that reinforces the week's environmental science curriculum. The program runs during the full school year, connecting academic outcomes with coastal stewardship and career pathways in marine science.

  • Academic tutoring (math, reading, writing)
  • Environmental literacy and watershed science
  • Surf instruction (Thursday ocean sessions)
  • Career exploration in marine science and coastal conservation
  • College preparation and counseling
  • Mentorship pairings with Un Mar staff and alumni

Qué se incluye — Gratis para cada joven de La Jolla

  • Three afternoons per week (3pm–6pm)
  • Weekly Thursday ocean session (beach day)
  • Healthy snacks and meals
  • Homework support with certified tutors
  • Round-trip transportation from partner schools
  • Parent/guardian engagement sessions
  • Annual leadership retreat

Por qué Un Mar de Colores

Board and staff leadership is BIPOC-majority. Decisions about La Jolla programming are made with community partners, not corporate sponsors.

Lo que dice nuestra comunidad

"He used to approach new activities with extreme anxiety — to the point where sometimes we couldn't even get out of the car. Now he goes much deeper into the water."

— Middle school student— Parent, One Ocean

Preguntas frecuentes — After-School Program en La Jolla

What happens on Thursday beach days?+

Every Thursday, Ocean Stewards teens head to The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight, or other partner beaches for surf instruction and water programming that reinforces the week's environmental science. Wetsuits, boards, and bilingual coaches are provided.

How is Un Mar after-school different from other programs in La Jolla?+

Commercial after-school optimizes for fees or shallow enrichment. Un Mar is a BIPOC-led nonprofit: free tutoring, NGSS environmental science, weekly surf, Title I partnerships, Kumeyaay curriculum integration, and mentors who reflect La Jolla's communities.

Is there an annual retreat for Ocean Stewards?+

Yes — an annual leadership retreat connects La Jolla teens with cohorts across San Diego. It's an opportunity to build county-wide community, deepen environmental leadership skills, and connect with alumni mentors.

¿Los programas de After-School Program en La Jolla son realmente gratuitos?+

Sí. Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores en La Jolla son 100% gratuitos. Proporcionamos trajes de neopreno 3/2mm, tablas de surf, transporte desde escuelas asociadas como Kate Sessions Elementary, Bird Rock Elementary, e instrucción bilingüe certificada. El financiamiento proviene de la San Diego Foundation, subvenciones comunitarias y donantes individuales.

¿Dónde se realizan exactamente las lecciones en La Jolla?+

Las lecciones principales se realizan en La Jolla Shores. También usamos Windansea Beach según el nivel del grupo. Todas las sesiones de agua ocurren dentro de las zonas salvavidas de la bandera.

¿Qué edades son elegibles en La Jolla?+

Servimos a jóvenes de 13–17 años. Nuestra Beca One Ocean cubre las edades 6-12, Ocean Stewards After-School sirve a 13-17, y las Becas Atléticas de Surf están disponibles para jóvenes competitivos a través de nuestras asociaciones con San Diego Unified School District.

¿Cómo inscribo a mi hijo/a?+

Contáctenos a través de nuestra página de contacto. La inscripción prioritaria se otorga a estudiantes de Kate Sessions Elementary, Bird Rock Elementary y otras escuelas de Título I en San Diego Unified School District. Los grupos de verano suelen llenarse con 3-4 semanas de anticipación.

¿Listo para entrar al agua?

Every La Jolla child deserves the ocean. Start with a single conversation — we'll handle the rest.

Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores son gratuitos para jóvenes de La Jolla. Contáctanos para inscribirte, hacer voluntariado, o apoyar el movimiento.

Un Mar de Colores es una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) liderada por personas BIPOC, basada en Oceanside, California. Ofrecemos programación gratuita de surf, océano y educación ambiental para jóvenes en San Diego y Tijuana — conectando culturas, costas y comunidades desde 2018.

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