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
- —Thursday beach days sound great, but you can't drive from San Diego County every week — transportation is the hidden cost.
- —Your teen tried a generic youth program and left bored — they need mentorship, not another room full of strangers.
- —Mental health stress is real for San Diego County teens — but therapy waitlists are long and surf-as-healing sounds inaccessible.
- —Scholarship and contest pathways feel reserved for kids whose parents already know the surf circuit. After-school should bridge that gap.
What changes when youth get in the water
- Citizen science and cleanup participation connect academics to real advocacy — teens become stewards, not consumers.
- Career exploration opens doors to marine science, coastal conservation, and environmental justice careers.
- Bilingual staff and parent communications in English and Spanish every week.
- Three afternoons weekly (3pm–6pm) provide structure, tutoring, and enrichment — free for the full school year.
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.
Thursday surf sessions aren't a reward for finishing homework — they're curriculum. Wave energy, tide cycles, and lineup ecology reinforce the week's watershed science for San Diego County teens.
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.
Parents ask if Thursday beach days require swimming ability. We build water comfort progressively in supervised zones — many Ocean Stewards teens start with limited ocean experience and gain confidence within weeks.
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.
Cross-border watershed work matters to San Diego County because Tijuana River pollution and coastal health don't stop at a border fence. Our education modules name that reality honestly.
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
How much does after-school cost in San Diego County?+
Ocean Stewards in San Diego County is 100% free — tutoring, environmental science, Thursday surf sessions, healthy snacks, and transportation from partner schools. Commercial tutoring in San Diego County often costs $40–$80 per hour. We fund access through grants and donors so San Diego County families never pay.
Can my teen join if they don't surf yet?+
Absolutely — many Ocean Stewards teens start Thursday sessions with limited ocean experience. We build water comfort progressively in supervised zones with certified bilingual coaches. No swimming test required.
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.
What days does after-school run in San Diego County?+
Ocean Stewards runs Tuesday through Thursday during the school year, 3pm–6pm. Tuesday and Wednesday are at partner school sites. Thursday is a beach day at local breaks near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach. We publish cohort calendars early for San Diego County families.
Is transportation provided from San Diego County?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If San Diego County is inland (across coastal and inland communities from the coast), weekly Thursday beach days are possible because we solve transport — not your family.
Ready to get your child in the water?
Ready to get your child in the water? Contact Un Mar de Colores — priority enrollment for San Diego County Title I school students.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for BIPOC youth across San Diego County. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
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