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
- —Environmental clubs at school are underfunded — your teen wants hands-on watershed science, not a poster contest.
- —Bilingual support matters at home, but most San Marcos-area after-school programs default to English-only staff.
- —Working families in San Marcos need predictable Tue–Thu schedules, not another program that cancels without notice.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Certified tutors support math, reading, and writing — homework help that actually improves grades in San Marcos Unified School District.
- College preparation and counseling help San Marcos teens navigate applications, financial aid, and pathway decisions.
- Trauma-informed culture welcomes teens navigating anxiety, grief, immigration stress, and family instability.
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
After-school programs near Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles) and Oceanside Pier (13 miles) for San Marcos teens run Tuesday through Thursday during the school year. Inland families rely on shuttles (11 miles inland) so weekly beach days aren't limited to coastal zip codes.
How much does after-school tutoring cost in California? Commercial centers often charge $40–$80 per hour. Un Mar de Colores charges $0 for tutoring, environmental science, Thursday surf, meals, and transport for San Marcos teens.
Why San Marcos Matters to Our Mission
San Marcos's Spanish-speaking households (37%) get parent communications in both languages, every time. Coastal access fails when language is treated as an afterthought.
San Marcos sits inside San Diego County's coastal equity gap — 51% of residents identify as BIPOC, yet beach access has historically been gated by cost, transportation, and culture. Un Mar de Colores closes that gap with free programming and school-based recruitment.
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 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.
Who can enroll from San Marcos?+
BIPOC teens ages 13–17 with priority for Title I students and referrals from San Marcos Unified School District counselors and partner organizations. Contact us to confirm current cohort availability in San Marcos.
Are after-school programs in San Marcos bilingual?+
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In San Marcos, where 37% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual staff lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
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?
Ready to get your child in the water? Contact Un Mar de Colores — priority enrollment for San Marcos Title I school students.
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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