Un Mar de Colores · Spring Valley, CA
Spring Valley Surf Camp — 5 Days Free, All Gear & Lunch Included
Summer cohorts across San Diego — Spring Valley families enroll through school counselors and partner orgs.
Un Mar de Colores runs free summer surf camps for Spring Valley youth ages 6–17. Each week-long Monday–Friday cohort combines morning surf instruction (shuttled to our nearest coastal location, OB Pier (13 miles)) with afternoons of marine ecology, cultural arts, and Kumeyaay coastal history. Priority enrollment goes to students of La Presa Elementary, Loma Elementary, Kempton Street Literacy Academy. Wetsuits, soft-top boards, daily lunch, and round-trip transportation are all included.
Schedule — Spring Valley Program Days
Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —You grew up hearing the beach wasn't for families like yours. That message still shapes Spring Valley summers.
- —Your child wants a full week in the water, but one-off beach days never build real confidence or skill.
- —Your child tried a pricey camp once and spent most of the week watching others catch waves.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Pathways to year-round surf lessons and Surf Athletic Scholarships open after camp graduation.
- Grant- and donor-funded model means zero tuition — no deposits, no equipment rental upsells.
- Integration with Ocean Stewards after-school gives Spring Valley teens a year-round arc beyond one summer week.
Why We Run This Program in Spring Valley
Spring Valley is 53% Hispanic/Latino and 13% Black — serving one of the most culturally diverse communities in East County. Our cohorts travel from La Presa Elementary and Kempton Street Literacy Academy to OB Pier, with classroom programming anchored at Spring Valley Library. We prioritize this partnership because of the city's distance from the coast and demographic alignment with our mission.
- Population
- 29,209
- BIPOC residents
- 79%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 45%
- Distance to beach
- 12 mi
Surf Camp in Spring Valley — What You Should Know
Friday family showcase is camp graduation on the sand — Spring Valley families see demonstrations, art displays, and celebrations that honor every child's week of growth.
Gear quality matters for cold Pacific mornings: ill-fitting rental wetsuits end sessions early. We size youth properly and maintain equipment for daily use across the full camp week.
Why Spring Valley Matters to Our Mission
Parents in Spring Valley often ask how a nonprofit can offer everything free. Answer: San Diego Foundation grants, community donors, and partners who believe Spring Valley youth belong in the lineup — same as any other kid in San Diego.
Spring Valley sits inside San Diego County's coastal equity gap — 79% 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 Spring Valley Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 3+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools
- •La Presa Elementary
- •Loma Elementary
- •Kempton Street Literacy Academy
Community partners
- ◆La Mesa-Spring Valley School District
- ◆Spring Valley Library
- ◆Grossmont Union High School District
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 Spring Valley 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 Spring Valley
Is transportation provided from Spring Valley to surf camp?+
Round-trip shuttle transportation runs from partner Title I schools. If Spring Valley is inland (12 miles inland from the coast), we solve the daily commute — not your family. Coastal cohorts meet directly at local teaching beaches near OB Pier (13 miles) and Coronado Central (12 miles).
Does my child need to know how to swim for surf camp?+
No swimming test is required. We begin in chest-deep whitewater under direct coach supervision and build water comfort progressively. Many Spring Valley beginners start camp with limited pool experience and gain confidence within the first two days.
What gear does my child need for surf camp?+
We provide wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, rashguards, and sunscreen for the full week. Your child should bring a towel, water bottle, and swim-appropriate clothing. No personal board or wetsuit required.
Are surf camp in Spring Valley really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Spring Valley are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like La Presa Elementary, Loma Elementary, Kempton Street Literacy Academy, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Spring Valley family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do surf camp happen in Spring Valley?+
Spring Valley is 12 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to OB Pier (13 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and partner schools inside Spring Valley.
What ages can enroll in Spring Valley?+
We serve youth ages 6–17. In Spring Valley specifically, our recruitment runs through La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools — with priority enrollment for students from La Presa Elementary, Loma Elementary, Kempton Street Literacy Academy. 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 OB Pier (13 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Spring Valley, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our La Mesa-Spring Valley School District partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Spring Valley?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Spring Valley, where 45% 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 Spring Valley?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Spring Valley surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 79%-BIPOC Spring Valley 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 Spring Valley, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Spring Valley child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of La Presa Elementary, Loma Elementary, Kempton Street Literacy Academy and referrals from La Mesa-Spring Valley School District and Spring Valley Library. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Every Spring Valley child deserves the ocean. Start with a single conversation — we'll handle the rest.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Spring Valley 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.