Un Mar de Colores · San Marcos, CA
Free San Marcos Summer Camp: Surf, Ecology & Cultural Arts
Shuttle transportation from San Marcos Unified School District Title I partner schools removes the inland access barrier.
Un Mar de Colores runs free summer surf camps for San Marcos youth ages 6–17. Each week-long Monday–Friday cohort combines morning surf instruction (shuttled to our nearest coastal location, Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles)) with afternoons of marine ecology, cultural arts, and Kumeyaay coastal history. Priority enrollment goes to students of Alvin Dunn Elementary, Paloma Elementary, San Marcos Elementary and other Title I schools in San Marcos Unified School District. Wetsuits, soft-top boards, daily lunch, and round-trip transportation are all included.
Schedule — San Marcos Program Days
Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —You've seen 'scholarship' camps that still charge equipment deposits or lunch fees — the math never works.
- —Competition pathways feel reserved for kids whose parents already know the contest circuit. Camp is where that gap starts.
- —You live 11 miles inland from the coast and can't shuttle kids daily — transportation is the hidden camp cost.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Your family joins a BIPOC-led movement rewriting coastal access across San Diego County — not a tourist camp.
- Nutrition and hydration education supports young athletes learning to fuel ocean sessions safely.
- Integration with Ocean Stewards after-school gives San Marcos teens a year-round arc beyond one summer week.
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
Surf Camp in San Marcos — What You Should Know
Where do San Marcos youth surf during summer camp? We teach at breaks chosen for sandy bottoms, lifeguard coverage, and manageable whitewater — sites like Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles) and Oceanside Pier (13 miles) appear in cohort-specific plans, not generic coast language.
With 37% Spanish-speaking households in San Marcos, bilingual camp instruction and parent updates are standard — not an accommodation requested at enrollment.
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.
Serving San Marcos means meeting families where they are: North County schools, community centers, and partner orgs that already hold trust. We don't wait for families to find the beach — we bring youth to the water.
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
Our summer surf camps run Monday through Friday across North County and San Diego, serving BIPOC youth ages 6–17. Each one-week cohort combines four mornings of in-water surf instruction with afternoon programming in marine ecology, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts. Camps are capped at 18 students per cohort to maintain a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, and every camp ends with a Friday family showcase on the beach. Camps are entirely free — wetsuits, boards, transportation, daily lunch, and all materials included.
- →Daily in-water surf instruction (4 hrs/day)
- →Marine ecology & watershed education
- →Cultural arts workshops (painting, poetry, storytelling)
- →Kumeyaay coastal history and stewardship
- →Nutrition and hydration for athletes
- →Friday family showcase and celebration
What's Included — Free for Every San Marcos Youth
- ✓5-day Monday–Friday full-day camp (8am–3pm)
- ✓Certified bilingual instructors (CPR + First Aid, 4:1 ratio)
- ✓Wetsuit, soft-top surfboard, and rashguard for the week
- ✓Free daily lunch and snacks
- ✓Round-trip transportation from Title I schools
- ✓Cultural arts and marine biology enrichment
- ✓Family showcase and photo album
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 — Surf Camp in San Marcos
Can my child continue after surf camp ends?+
Yes — camp graduates connect to year-round free surf lessons, Ocean Stewards after-school for teens, and the Surf Athletic Scholarship pathway. Camp is an entry point, not a dead end for San Marcos youth.
What non-surf activities happen during camp week?+
Afternoons include marine ecology modules aligned with watershed science, Kumeyaay coastal history, cultural arts workshops (painting, poetry, storytelling), and nutrition education for young athletes. Surf is the anchor — ecology and culture are the depth.
Is transportation provided from San Marcos to surf camp?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If San Marcos is inland (11 miles inland from the coast), we solve the daily commute — not your family. Coastal cohorts meet directly at local teaching beaches near Carlsbad Tamarack (11 miles) and Oceanside Pier (13 miles).
Are surf camp 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 surf camp 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 6–17. 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 surf camp 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?
Parents in San Marcos: bilingual staff, certified lifeguard-trained coaches, and zero cost. Sign up now.
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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