Un Mar de Colores · National City, CA
Where National City Teens Get Free After-School & Beach Days
Shuttle from partner Title I schools removes the barrier for inland National City families (8 miles inland from the coast).
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for National City teens ages 13–17, in partnership with National School District / Sweetwater Union High. 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 (8 miles)). Our National City cohort draws primarily from Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary, and 1 other Title I schools. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — National City Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Bilingual support matters at home, but most National City-area after-school programs default to English-only staff.
- —Your teen is curious about environmental justice but school curriculum skips why National City beaches close after storms.
- —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
- Certified tutors support math, reading, and writing — homework help that actually improves grades in National School District / Sweetwater Union High.
- Your teen joins a BIPOC-led movement rewriting who the San Diego coast is for — year-round, not summer-only.
- Small cohort sizes keep mentorship personal — not 50 teens in a gym with one supervisor.
Why We Run This Program in 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.
- Population
- 56,173
- BIPOC residents
- 91%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 61%
- Distance to beach
- 8 mi
After-School Program in National City — What You Should Know
Free after-school for National City teens is part of Un Mar's broader Cali-Baja movement — ocean access, academic equity, and environmental justice across San Diego County.
College prep in National City 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 National City Matters to Our Mission
National City's Spanish-speaking households (61%) get parent communications in both languages, every time. Coastal access fails when language is treated as an afterthought.
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for National City youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Local National City Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with National School District / Sweetwater Union High and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 4+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- National School District / Sweetwater Union High
- •Central Elementary (National City)
- •Kimball Elementary
- •Olivewood Elementary
- •Sweetwater High School
Community partners
- ◆National School District
- ◆National City Public Library
- ◆Kimball Park (City of National City)
- ◆Casa Familiar (nearby in San Ysidro)
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 National City 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
Our coaches include graduates of the Surf Athletic Scholarship program and bilingual educators who reflect the BIPOC communities we serve. We partner with 15+ Title I schools across North County and San Diego.
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 National City
What is the Ocean Stewards after-school program in National City?+
Ocean Stewards is Un Mar de Colores's free year-round after-school program for BIPOC teens ages 13–17 in National City. Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons include academic tutoring, environmental literacy, and college prep. Every Thursday is a beach day with surf instruction reinforcing the week's science curriculum.
What pathways open after Ocean Stewards?+
Teens connect to surf therapy, ocean stewardship cleanups, year-round surf lessons, and the Surf Athletic Scholarship program. After-school is a long-term arc for National City youth — not a single-semester program.
Are meals provided during after-school?+
Healthy snacks and meals are provided every session. National City working families don't need to pack food or pay hidden snack fees.
Are after-school program in National City really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in National City are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No National City family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in National City?+
National City is 8 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Imperial Beach (8 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at National School District and partner schools inside National City.
What ages can enroll in National City?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In National City specifically, our recruitment runs through National School District / Sweetwater Union High — with priority enrollment for students from Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary and 1 other Title I schools. 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 (8 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In National City, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our National School District partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in National City?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in National City, where 61% 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 National City?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most National City surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 91%-BIPOC National City 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 National City, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my National City child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary and referrals from National School District and National City Public Library. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Don't wait for summer — year-round National City cohorts fill fast. Reach out now for free enrollment.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for National City 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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