Un Mar de Colores · Point Loma, CA
College Prep, Ecology & Surf — Free in Point Loma
Career exploration in marine science, coastal conservation, and environmental justice — not generic job fairs.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for Point Loma teens ages 13–17, in partnership with San Diego Unified School District. Students meet three afternoons a week for tutoring, environmental literacy, and career exploration, with a Thursday beach day at Sunset Cliffs and Garbage Beach (closest breaks to Point Loma). Our Point Loma cohort draws primarily from Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — Point Loma Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —You grew up being told the coast wasn't for people like you — that message still echoes in Point Loma teen households.
- —Bilingual support matters at home, but most Point Loma-area after-school programs default to English-only staff.
- —College prep in Point Loma feels like it's reserved for families who already know the application pipeline.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Citizen science and cleanup participation connect academics to real advocacy — teens become stewards, not consumers.
- Trauma-informed culture welcomes teens navigating anxiety, grief, immigration stress, and family instability.
- Career exploration opens doors to marine science, coastal conservation, and environmental justice careers.
Why We Run This Program in Point Loma
Point Loma's Sunset Cliffs coastline is too advanced for beginner instruction, but our Point Loma youth cohorts travel to OB Pier and Dog Beach for water sessions, with dryland instruction at Cabrillo National Monument and Point Loma Nazarene University (our educational partner). The Kumeyaay coastal history of the peninsula is woven into every Point Loma cohort curriculum.
- Population
- 32,000
- BIPOC residents
- 34%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 17%
- Distance to beach
- Coastal
After-School Program in Point Loma — What You Should Know
Annual leadership retreat connects Ocean Stewards cohorts across San Diego County — Point Loma teens build networks beyond their neighborhood.
BIPOC after-school programs in Point Loma address a real gap: 34% of local residents are BIPOC, yet enrichment marketing still centers narrow demographics. Our staff and alumni mentors reflect the communities we serve.
Why Point Loma Matters to Our Mission
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for Point Loma youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Recruitment in Point Loma runs through counselors, teachers, and community partners who know which students need this most. We don't run open enrollment chaos — we build intentional cohorts.
Local Point Loma Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with San Diego Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 2+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- San Diego Unified School District
- •Point Loma High
- •Cabrillo Elementary
Community partners
- ◆Cabrillo National Monument (NPS)
- ◆Point Loma Nazarene University
- ◆Point Loma Library
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 Point Loma 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 Point Loma
What subjects get tutoring support?+
Certified tutors support math, reading, and writing — homework help aligned with San Diego Unified School District curriculum. Environmental literacy modules cover watershed science, marine ecology, coastal policy, and career exploration in marine science and conservation.
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.
Are after-school programs in Point Loma bilingual?+
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In Point Loma, where 17% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual staff lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
Are after-school program in Point Loma really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Point Loma are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Point Loma family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in Point Loma?+
Primary water sessions run at Sunset Cliffs. Classroom components happen at Cabrillo National Monument (NPS) and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
What ages can enroll in Point Loma?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In Point Loma specifically, our recruitment runs through San Diego Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary. 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 Sunset Cliffs, supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Point Loma, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at local community pools for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Point Loma?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Point Loma, where 17% 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 Point Loma?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Point Loma surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 34%-BIPOC Point Loma 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 Point Loma, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Point Loma child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High, Cabrillo Elementary and referrals from Cabrillo National Monument (NPS) and Point Loma Nazarene University. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Spots in our Point Loma cohorts are limited to keep instructor ratios safe. Contact us to reserve a place.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Point Loma 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.
Web platform architecture and development by Codinito.