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Un Mar de Colores · National City, CA
Free Citizen Science Beach Cleanups in San Diego
Family-friendly participation — kids, grandparents, and neighbors from National City welcome on the sand.
Un Mar de Colores ofrece ocean stewardship gratuitas para jóvenes de National City de All ages años, con transporte gratuito de 8 millas desde National City a nuestras playas de enseñanza. Sirviendo a una comunidad del 91% BIPOC (56,173 residentes), nuestra instrucción se lleva a cabo en Imperial Beach (8 miles) y Coronado Central (7 miles), con entrenadores bilingües certificados y todo el equipo proporcionado. La inscripción prioritaria es para estudiantes de Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary.
Horario — programa en National City
Monthly cleanups, quarterly workshops · Completamente gratis
Quizás sientes esto
- —One-off Earth Day events don't build continuity — you want monthly action with the same community.
- —You want your kids learning California coastal commission basics — not just 'reduce, reuse, recycle' slogans.
- —Environmental justice isn't in the cleanup conversation — 91% of National City residents deserve framing beyond litter.
Lo que cambia cuando los jóvenes entran al agua
- Certificate of community service for students — documented hours for National School District / Sweetwater Union High requirements.
- Hands-on debris removal with proper supplies: buckets, grabbers, gloves — all provided free.
- Monthly beach cleanups across San Diego County — consistent action, not one Earth Day photo op.
Por qué operamos este programa en National City
National City is 63% Hispanic/Latino and among the most economically impacted cities in San Diego County. Our programs here are built around transportation — youth from Central, Kimball, and Olivewood Elementary travel to Imperial Beach and Coronado for water programming, with classroom components at National City Public Library and the MLK Community Center. National City is a priority Title I partnership for our Ocean Stewards recruitment.
- Población
- 56,173
- Residentes BIPOC
- 91%
- Hogares hispanohablantes
- 61%
- Distancia a la playa
- 8 mi
Ocean Stewardship en National City — Lo que debes saber
Free ocean stewardship for National City communities is part of Un Mar's BIPOC-led Cali-Baja movement — coastal access as stewardship right, not eco-tourism product.
Monthly beach cleanups from National City run across Oceanside, Imperial Beach, Cardiff, and partner sites. Inland families participate when events align with accessible shores (8 miles inland isn't a barrier for monthly regional events).
Por qué National City importa para nuestra misión
The ocean off National City belongs to everyone. Un Mar de Colores exists because San Diego has spent decades telling BIPOC youth otherwise — and we're changing that story one cohort at a time.
Parents in National City often ask how a nonprofit can offer everything free. Answer: San Diego Foundation grants, community donors, and partners who believe National City youth belong in the lineup — same as any other kid in San Diego.
Socios comunitarios locales en National City
En asociación con el National School District / Sweetwater Union High y organizaciones comunitarias locales, reclutamos jóvenes de 4+ escuelas Título I.
Distrito escolar y escuelas Título I
- National School District / Sweetwater Union High
- •Central Elementary (National City)
- •Kimball Elementary
- •Olivewood Elementary
- •Sweetwater High School
Socios comunitarios
- ◆National School District
- ◆National City Public Library
- ◆Kimball Park (City of National City)
- ◆Casa Familiar (nearby in San Ysidro)
Currículo del programa
Ocean Stewardship at Un Mar de Colores connects coastal cleanup action with deeper environmental justice education. Monthly cleanups run across Oceanside, Imperial Beach, Cardiff, and partner sites, with each event combining hands-on debris removal with short teaching moments about the watershed-to-ocean pipeline, the plastic pollution crisis, and California coastal policy. Our Ocean Stewardship program is free and family-friendly, and we specifically prioritize recruitment from BIPOC communities whose relationships with the coast have historically been gated by cost or culture. Every participant contributes to our citizen science database tracking pollution patterns across San Diego County.
- →Beach cleanup fundamentals and safe practices
- →Plastic pollution and marine debris science
- →California coastal commission policy basics
- →Watershed-to-ocean connection
- →Citizen science data collection protocols
- →Advocacy and community organizing skills
Qué se incluye — Gratis para cada joven de National City
- ✓Cleanup supplies (buckets, grabbers, gloves)
- ✓Bilingual safety briefings
- ✓Data collection training
- ✓Post-cleanup debrief and reflection
- ✓Certificate of community service
- ✓Family-friendly participation
Por qué Un Mar de Colores
Un Mar de Colores is a BIPOC-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in Oceanside, California in 2018. Our instructors are certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division and hold CPR + First Aid credentials.
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."”
Preguntas frecuentes — Ocean Stewardship en National City
Where do cleanups happen near National City?+
Sites rotate across North County and San Diego coastlines — including areas near Imperial Beach (8 miles) and Coronado Central (7 miles). We select locations based on need, safety, and accessibility from National City. Event pages list specific meet points.
Is citizen science part of ocean stewardship cleanups?+
Yes — every cleanup includes data collection training. Participants document debris types and locations, contributing to Un Mar's database tracking pollution patterns across San Diego. National City volunteers contribute real science.
What supplies do I need for a beach cleanup?+
Nothing — we provide buckets, grabbers, gloves, and data collection materials. Show up in closed-toe shoes and sun protection. National City families don't need to buy cleanup gear.
¿Los programas de Ocean Stewardship en National City son realmente gratuitos?+
Sí. Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores en National City son 100% gratuitos. Proporcionamos trajes de neopreno 3/2mm, tablas de surf, transporte desde escuelas asociadas como Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood 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 National City?+
Los jóvenes de National City viajan en nuestro transporte a Imperial Beach (8 miles), aproximadamente a 8 millas. Los componentes de aula ocurren en escuelas y bibliotecas asociadas dentro de National City.
¿Qué edades son elegibles en National City?+
Servimos a jóvenes de All ages 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 National School District / Sweetwater Union High.
¿Cómo inscribo a mi hijo/a?+
Contáctenos a través de nuestra página de contacto. La inscripción prioritaria se otorga a estudiantes de Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary y otras escuelas de Título I en National School District / Sweetwater Union High. Los grupos de verano suelen llenarse con 3-4 semanas de anticipación.
¿Listo para entrar al agua?
Free means free. No hidden fees, no gear costs, no transportation charges for National City participants.
Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores son gratuitos para jóvenes de National City. 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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