Un Mar de Colores · San Marcos, CA
BIPOC Teen After-School Program in San Marcos, CA
Tuesday and Wednesday: homework support, NGSS-aligned environmental literacy, and college prep at partner school sites.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for San Marcos teens ages 13–17, in partnership with San Marcos Unified School District. Students meet three afternoons a week for tutoring, environmental literacy, and career exploration, with a Thursday beach day at our nearest coastal break (Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles)). Our San Marcos cohort draws primarily from Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary, and 2 other Title I schools. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — San Marcos Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Your teen is curious about environmental justice but school curriculum skips why San Marcos beaches close after storms.
- —Your teen tried a generic youth program and left bored — they need mentorship, not another room full of strangers.
- —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
- Healthy snacks and meals every session — no packing stress for working San Marcos families.
- Annual leadership retreat connects San Marcos teens with cohorts across North County — building county-wide community.
- Career exploration opens doors to marine science, coastal conservation, and environmental justice careers.
Why We Run This Program in San Marcos
San Marcos is the most diverse inland city in North County, with 37% Hispanic/Latino population and home to California State University San Marcos. Our cohorts travel from Alvin Dunn Elementary and San Marcos Middle to Carlsbad's Tamarack for water programming. CSUSM student volunteers support our program delivery, making this one of our strongest university-nonprofit partnerships.
- Population
- 96,664
- BIPOC residents
- 51%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 37%
- Distance to beach
- 11 mi
After-School Program in San Marcos — What You Should Know
Latino and Indigenous teens in San Marcos inherit coastal histories commercial culture erases. Kumeyaay water perspectives and environmental justice framing are woven into every science module — not token inclusion.
Parents searching after-school programs near San Marcos, CA often find paid tutoring centers first. Ocean Stewards is different: a 501(c)(3) BIPOC-led nonprofit prioritizing Title I referrals from San Marcos Unified School District with bilingual staff, transportation, and coastal programming built in.
Why San Marcos Matters to Our Mission
With 96,664 residents, San Marcos is one of the communities where a single free surf cohort can change dozens of lives per season. Our shuttles and school partnerships make distance (11 miles inland) a logistics problem we solve, not a barrier families carry alone.
Recruitment in San Marcos 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 San Marcos Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with San Marcos Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 5+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- San Marcos Unified School District
- •Alvin Dunn Elementary
- •Paloma Elementary
- •San Marcos Elementary
- •San Marcos Middle School
- •San Marcos High School
Community partners
- ◆California State University San Marcos (student volunteers)
- ◆San Marcos Unified School District
- ◆Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos
- ◆San Marcos 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 San Marcos 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
Un Mar is a member of the surf equity ecosystem across California — connected to Surf Justice Collective, Native Like Water, and cross-border watershed coalitions.
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 San Marcos
Is transportation provided from San Marcos?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If San Marcos is inland (11 miles inland from the coast), weekly Thursday beach days are possible because we solve transport — not your family.
Is there an annual retreat for Ocean Stewards?+
Yes — an annual leadership retreat connects San Marcos teens with cohorts across North County. It's an opportunity to build county-wide community, deepen environmental leadership skills, and connect with alumni mentors.
How do parent engagement sessions work?+
We host parent and guardian engagement sessions throughout the year — bilingual updates on curriculum, safety protocols, college prep timelines, and opportunities for family participation. San Marcos families stay informed, not sidelined.
Are after-school program in San Marcos really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in San Marcos are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No San Marcos family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in San Marcos?+
San Marcos is 11 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) and partner schools inside San Marcos.
What ages can enroll in San Marcos?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In San Marcos specifically, our recruitment runs through San Marcos Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary and 2 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 Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In San Marcos, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in San Marcos?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in San Marcos, where 37% 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 San Marcos?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most San Marcos surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 51%-BIPOC San Marcos 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 San Marcos, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my San Marcos child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary and referrals from California State University San Marcos (student volunteers) and San Marcos Unified School District. 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 San Marcos cohorts fill fast. Reach out now for free enrollment.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for San Marcos 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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