Un Mar de Colores · San Diego County
Free After-School Tutoring Near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach for San Diego County Teens
Three afternoons a week — tutoring, environmental science, and Thursday beach days — zero cost for San Diego County families.
- Ages
- 13–17
- Schedule
- Tuesday–Thursday, year-round
- Cost
- Free
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.
This hub connects San Diego County families to after-school program across 27 cities. Every city link below is a full local page with beaches, school partners, and enrollment paths — not an empty gateway.
You might be feeling this
- —Your teen sees surfing on social media but has no pathway that doesn't require money, connections, or a car to The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach.
- —After-school slots in San Diego County fill fast and 'free' programs always seem to have equipment fees or deposits.
- —Your teen tried a generic youth program and left bored — they need mentorship, not another room full of strangers.
- —Bilingual support matters at home, but most San Diego County-area after-school programs default to English-only staff.
What changes when youth get in the water
- Citizen science and cleanup participation connect academics to real advocacy — teens become stewards, not consumers.
- Healthy snacks and meals every session — no packing stress for working San Diego County families.
- NGSS-aligned environmental literacy modules connect classroom science to San Diego County's watershed and coastline realities.
- Pathways to surf therapy, ocean stewardship cleanups, and Surf Athletic Scholarships open from Ocean Stewards.
After-School Program across San Diego County — what families should know
Representation in mentorship changes retention. When San Diego County teens see staff who share their language and background, engagement rises — they're not guests in someone else's program.
Latino and Indigenous teens in San Diego County inherit coastal histories commercial culture erases. Kumeyaay water perspectives and environmental justice framing are woven into every science module — not token inclusion.
With about one-third Spanish-speaking households in San Diego County, bilingual after-school instruction and parent updates are standard — not an accommodation requested at enrollment.
College prep in San Diego County through after-school should include career exposure to marine science and coastal jobs — not generic resume workshops. Ocean Stewards connects teens to professionals and alumni pathways.
Why San Diego County is our service area
Environmental justice in San Diego County isn't abstract: watershed health, beach closures, and plastic pollution affect the same communities we serve. Our programs connect surf skills to stewardship of San Diego County's coastline.
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for San Diego County youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Program curriculum & how it works
- →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
What's included — free for every youth
- ✓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
Why Un Mar de Colores (E-E-A-T)
Since 2018, Un Mar de Colores has served thousands of youth across San Diego County and the Cali-Baja region — with funding from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors keeping every program 100% free.
What our community says
“"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."”
Cities we serve — pick your community
Un Mar de Colores runs after-school program across 27 San Diego County cities. Each city page covers local beaches, school partners, and how to enroll — start with the community closest to your family.
- OceansideCoastal city
- CarlsbadCoastal city
- EncinitasCoastal city
- Cardiff by the SeaCoastal city
- Solana BeachCoastal city
- Del MarCoastal city
- La JollaCoastal city
- Pacific BeachCoastal city
- Mission BeachCoastal city
- Ocean BeachCoastal city
- Point LomaCoastal city
- Sunset CliffsCoastal city
- CoronadoCoastal city
- Imperial BeachCoastal city
- Chula Vista10 mi to beach
- National City8 mi to beach
- Vista7 mi to beach
- San Marcos11 mi to beach
- Escondido17 mi to beach
- San DiegoCoastal city
- Poway14 mi to beach
- Fallbrook22 mi to beach
- Bonita10 mi to beach
- Lemon Grove10 mi to beach
- El Cajon14 mi to beach
- Santee17 mi to beach
- Spring Valley12 mi to beach
Frequently asked questions — After-School Program
What subjects get tutoring support?+
Certified tutors support math, reading, and writing — homework help aligned with partner Title I school districts across San Diego County curriculum. Environmental literacy modules cover watershed science, marine ecology, coastal policy, and career exploration in marine science and conservation.
Does after-school include college preparation?+
Yes — Ocean Stewards includes college prep and counseling: application guidance, financial aid navigation, and career pathway exploration in marine science and coastal conservation. San Diego County teens get support beyond homework help.
How is Un Mar after-school different from other programs in San Diego County?+
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 San Diego County's communities.
Is there an annual retreat for Ocean Stewards?+
Yes — an annual leadership retreat connects San Diego County teens with cohorts across San Diego County. It's an opportunity to build county-wide community, deepen environmental leadership skills, and connect with alumni mentors.
Are meals provided during after-school?+
Healthy snacks and meals are provided every session. San Diego County working families don't need to pack food or pay hidden snack fees.
Ready to get your child in the water?
Every San Diego County child deserves the ocean. Start with a single conversation — we'll handle the rest.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for BIPOC youth across San Diego County. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
Web platform architecture and development by Codinito.