Un Mar de Colores · Bonita, CA
Free Tutoring & Surf for Bonita Teens Ages 13–17
Certified tutors, bilingual staff, healthy snacks, and transportation — the full package free for Bonita teens.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for Bonita teens ages 13–17, in partnership with Chula Vista Elementary / Sweetwater Union. Students meet three afternoons a week for tutoring, environmental literacy, and career exploration, with a Thursday beach day at our nearest coastal break (Imperial Beach (10 miles)). Our Bonita cohort draws primarily from Sunnyside Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — Bonita Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —College prep in Bonita feels like it's reserved for families who already know the application pipeline.
- —After-school slots in Bonita fill fast and 'free' programs always seem to have equipment fees or deposits.
- —Working families in Bonita need predictable Tue–Thu schedules, not another program that cancels without notice.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Every Thursday is a beach day — surf instruction at local breaks reinforcing the week's environmental curriculum.
- Parent and guardian engagement sessions keep families informed and involved — not sidelined.
- Citizen science and cleanup participation connect academics to real advocacy — teens become stewards, not consumers.
Why We Run This Program in Bonita
Bonita is a South Bay community adjacent to Chula Vista and National City, with a 58% Hispanic/Latino population. Our Bonita cohorts shuttle to Imperial Beach and Coronado, with classroom components at Bonita-Sunnyside Library. Students primarily come from Sunnyside Elementary and Bonita Vista Middle as part of our South Bay Title I partnership network.
- Population
- 12,795
- BIPOC residents
- 68%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 41%
- Distance to beach
- 10 mi
After-School Program in Bonita — What You Should Know
Free after-school for Bonita teens is part of Un Mar's broader Cali-Baja movement — ocean access, academic equity, and environmental justice across San Diego County.
Trauma-informed after-school culture welcomes teens navigating stress without requiring a clinical diagnosis to belong — the ocean as healing space integrated with licensed support referrals when needed.
Why Bonita Matters to Our Mission
Bonita's Spanish-speaking households (41%) get parent communications in both languages, every time. Coastal access fails when language is treated as an afterthought.
Bonita's relationship to the Pacific is complicated by history and economics. Our curriculum weaves Kumeyaay coastal stewardship, environmental justice, and culturally grounded instruction into every session — not as an add-on, but as the foundation.
Local Bonita Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with Chula Vista Elementary / Sweetwater Union and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 2+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- Chula Vista Elementary / Sweetwater Union
- •Sunnyside Elementary
- •Bonita Vista Middle
Community partners
- ◆Bonita-Sunnyside Library
- ◆Sweetwater Union High School District
- ◆Chula Vista Elementary School District
Program Curriculum
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
What's Included — Free for Every Bonita 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
Federal EIN 85-2947340. Mailing: PO BOX 232471, Encinitas, CA 92024. We operate on the ancestral lands of the Kumeyaay Nation with respect and community accountability.
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."”
Frequently Asked Questions — After-School Program in Bonita
Are after-school programs in Bonita bilingual?+
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In Bonita, where 41% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual staff lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
What days does after-school run in Bonita?+
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 Imperial Beach (10 miles) and Coronado Central (11 miles). We publish cohort calendars early for Bonita families.
How much does after-school cost in Bonita?+
Ocean Stewards in Bonita 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 Bonita families never pay.
Are after-school program in Bonita really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Bonita are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Sunnyside Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Bonita family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in Bonita?+
Bonita is 10 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Imperial Beach (10 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at Bonita-Sunnyside Library and partner schools inside Bonita.
What ages can enroll in Bonita?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In Bonita specifically, our recruitment runs through Chula Vista Elementary / Sweetwater Union — with priority enrollment for students from Sunnyside Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).
Does my child need to know how to swim before starting?+
No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at Imperial Beach (10 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Bonita, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our Bonita-Sunnyside Library partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Bonita?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Bonita, where 41% of households are Spanish-speaking, we intentionally pair at least one bilingual coach to every session. Cultural programming is delivered in both languages, and parent communications are always sent in Spanish and English.
How is Un Mar de Colores different from other after-school program in Bonita?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Bonita surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 68%-BIPOC Bonita community we serve; (3) our curriculum includes environmental justice, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts — not just surf skills. We exist because the ocean should belong to everyone in Bonita, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Bonita child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Sunnyside Elementary, Bonita Vista Middle and referrals from Bonita-Sunnyside Library and Sweetwater Union High School District. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Free means free. No hidden fees, no gear costs, no transportation charges for Bonita participants.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Bonita youth. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
Un Mar de Colores is a BIPOC-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oceanside, California. We provide free surf, ocean, and environmental programming for youth across San Diego and Tijuana — bridging cultures, coasts, and communities since 2018.
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