Un Mar de Colores · Vista, CA
Environmental Literacy Meets Surf — Free for Vista
Pathways to surf therapy, ocean stewardship, and scholarships — after-school is the long arc, not a semester fad.
Un Mar de Colores runs its flagship Ocean Stewards After-School Program for Vista teens ages 13–17, in partnership with Vista 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 (Oceanside Pier (7 miles)). Our Vista cohort draws primarily from Alamosa Park Elementary, Breeze Hill Elementary, Monte Vista Elementary, and 2 other Title I schools. Transportation, meals, tutoring, and surf instruction are entirely free.
Schedule — Vista Program Days
Tuesday–Thursday, year-round · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Thursday beach days sound great, but you can't drive from Vista every week — transportation is the hidden cost.
- —Your teen needs after-school support, but paid tutoring in Vista costs more per hour than you can sustain all year.
- —You want your teen learning about Tijuana River pollution and coastal policy — not just recycling slogans.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- College preparation and counseling help Vista teens navigate applications, financial aid, and pathway decisions.
- Trauma-informed culture welcomes teens navigating anxiety, grief, immigration stress, and family instability.
- Mentorship pairings with Un Mar staff and alumni provide consistent adults who reflect Vista communities.
Why We Run This Program in Vista
Vista is the second-largest inland city in North County San Diego with a 44% Hispanic/Latino population. Our Vista cohorts travel by shuttle from Alamosa Park Elementary and Rancho Minerva Middle to The Strand in Oceanside — a 15-minute drive. Vista Unified's Title I schools are one of our largest feeder populations for both the Ocean Stewards After-School Program and our One Ocean summer cohorts.
- Population
- 101,638
- BIPOC residents
- 59%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 44%
- Distance to beach
- 7 mi
After-School Program in Vista — What You Should Know
Free teen programs in North County combining academics and ocean access are rare. Un Mar funds Ocean Stewards through San Diego Foundation grants and community donors — operating since 2018 without charging Vista families.
Annual leadership retreat connects Ocean Stewards cohorts across San Diego County — Vista teens build networks beyond their neighborhood.
Why Vista Matters to Our Mission
Vista sits inside San Diego County's coastal equity gap — 59% 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.
Recruitment in Vista 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 Vista Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with Vista Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 5+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- Vista Unified School District
- •Alamosa Park Elementary
- •Breeze Hill Elementary
- •Monte Vista Elementary
- •Rancho Minerva Middle
- •Rancho Buena Vista High
Community partners
- ◆Vista Unified School District
- ◆Vista Library
- ◆Boys & Girls Club of Vista
- ◆MiraCosta College Vista Campus
- ◆North County Lifeline
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 Vista 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 Vista
Is transportation provided from Vista?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If Vista is inland (7 miles inland from the coast), weekly Thursday beach days are possible because we solve transport — not your family.
What is the Ocean Stewards after-school program in Vista?+
Ocean Stewards is Un Mar de Colores's free year-round after-school program for BIPOC teens ages 13–17 in Vista. 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 happens on Thursday beach days?+
Every Thursday, Ocean Stewards teens head to The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight, or other partner beaches for surf instruction and water programming that reinforces the week's environmental science. Wetsuits, boards, and bilingual coaches are provided.
Are after-school program in Vista really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Vista are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Alamosa Park Elementary, Breeze Hill Elementary, Monte Vista Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Vista family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do after-school program happen in Vista?+
Vista is 7 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Oceanside Pier (7 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at Vista Unified School District and partner schools inside Vista.
What ages can enroll in Vista?+
We serve youth ages 13–17. In Vista specifically, our recruitment runs through Vista Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Alamosa Park Elementary, Breeze Hill Elementary, Monte Vista 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 Oceanside Pier (7 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Vista, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our Vista Unified School District partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Vista?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Vista, where 44% 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 Vista?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Vista surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 59%-BIPOC Vista 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 Vista, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Vista child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Alamosa Park Elementary, Breeze Hill Elementary, Monte Vista Elementary and referrals from Vista Unified School District and Vista Library. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Every Vista child deserves the ocean. Start with a single conversation — we'll handle the rest.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Vista 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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