Academics, Leadership, Culture, Wellness.
July 20-28 Teenage Youth

@ University of California, San Diego
College dorm-life, camping adventure, Rez tour.
July 17th on-site Training for Adult Mentors, Staff

Stay in college dorms with the InterTribal Youth San Diego program and receive a university experience. High school/middle school Native American, Hawaiian & Alaskan Native Youth.  Program bridges cultural wisdom with science, health and lifestyle.

Youth ages 12-18 Serviced by program: 20
University Age Student Mentors serviced by program: 5
University, Tribal Professionals, Elders who service and are serviced by the program: 20

InterTribal Youth's longest running program celebrating 23 plus years. The InterTribal Youth flagship program offers a "holistic, indigenous, approach to education." We weave wellness, culture, leadership and academic enrichment into a life-changing experience. Youth explore San Diego's best Universities, Colleges, Native Communities, and environments with nationally recognized instructors and mentors.

Eligibility : We accept youth of ages 12-18 and from all educational backgrounds, regardless of their GPA. Our academic focus is based on a holistic approach. This approach allows youth to easily tap their potential. Historically, each of our youth go on to make a positive contribution to their community and world. Youth primarily come from California, with Native youth also joining us from Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada and other parts of the nation.

REGISTRATION Forms Available late March

Tentative Itinerary Below . Primary Location is San Diego at the beautiful coastal campus of UCSD. During the program a 4 day field trip will take youth to La Jolla Reservation, Palomar Mountain, Questions? See our San Diego Frequently Asked Questions Click here

Health Prevention, Biological Science, Wellness and Food as Medicine

We explore health and biological sciences, native foods, ethno-botany and coastal traditions. Over the past 23 years of our program's existence, we have identified what is needed to reverse health disparities amongst our Native population.  As part of the holistic approach to indigenize education, our programming includes nutrition, exercise, and cultural-based practice. Wellness is addressed through daily instruction in Mind-Body-Spirit Yoga class, A “Gentle-Warrior” Surfing Class, and Food as Medicine demonstrations.

Day 1: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Arrival Day. After Greetings and Orientation, participants check-into university dorm rooms. UCSD sits on high bluffs aside majestic views of the Pacific Ocean. This was once an important Kumeyaay village site. Today it marks the starting point for our educational journey in knowledge of self, others and greater horizons.

Day 2, 3: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Start the morning on the beach with the options of yoga and surfing. After lunch on campus, participants will begin a seminar in Music, Culture, Language, and Writing (MCLW).  Working together, students break the boundaries of western education, opening new horizons of self-expression and thought.

After dinner, that evening, we take in the natural beauty of Torrey Pines State Park Reserve on a tour of Coastal Indigenous Science. This is led by local Kumeyaay Native Ethno-Botonists and Storytellers. We observe the plants and earth that we must understand for future generations. Youth enjoy a sunset walk aside the Pacific before returning to campus.

Day 4, 5: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Each day of the program is concluded with a guided men's and women's talking circle, allowing for thought, deep connections and solutions to overcoming shared challenges.

After morning exercise regimen in yoga or and surfing, all take a trip down to UCSD's world famous Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Birch Aquarium. World-renowned scientists will guide our tour and help us understand our vital relationship with the ocean and its life.

Climate change is finally forcing much of science to take note of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous Science. ITY will hold labs with the Department of Physics and Chemistry at UCSD to explore science and how attention to traditional wisdom can benefit the human family.

Students will have an opportunity to snorkel and paddle in the protected waters of the calm bay of La Jolla Cove and Shores. A solid time to practice, water safety, traditional ocean use, tribal games, surfing and body-boarding skills will be on order for the day. SIO staff will guide us through the importance of research and coastal geology.

Oral history and storytelling is part of our timeless culture. Guest artists will hold workshops to prepare youth in telling their modern story.

Over the couple days, UCSD Early Academic Outreach Program will also cover pathways to college.

Day 6: San Diego State University (SDSU),  Barona Indian Reservation We pack up and take a short drive to San Diego State University (SDSU). We experience the second branch of the California’ State University “CSU” System. We note the differences, similarities and advantages.  A panel of Native Students and Teachers talk informally with our group and exchange gifts.

We embark on a Tour of three of San Diego’s 17 Indian reservations for a day of hosted events and visits. We stop at the award-winning Barona Cultural Center or San Pasqual Education Center where Ipay and Kumeyaay culture is restored. During a Mock Tribal Youth Council, students take on the role of Tribal Leaders, gaining experience in sovereign decision-making on behalf of the community.

Day 7, 8: La Jolla Reservation Campground, Indian Health Council, Inc. Clinic, Rincon and Pala Reservation
We head to the mountains where the water still flows through Native hands. We set up camp at La Jolla Indian Reservation Campground and refresh ourselves in the shaded river. Before, sundown, we continue our Music and Writing Seminar. Luiseno Leader Chris Devers joins us fireside with his family for storytelling, songs and discussion.

In the evening sky, high up in the San Diego mountains, La Jolla Reservation hosts the perfect location for star gazing and study. UCSD Astro-Physist, Adam Burgasser joins us with his telescopes to open up the night to learning and direction.

After a light breakfast, local tribal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead us on a walk, observing the subtle importance of the land.

For lunch we head down the mountain to the Rincon Reservation. IHC hosts us as we explore career possibilities in health. Students learn about Culinary Arts, how to identify quality organic produce at Pauma-Tierra Miguel Foundation Organic Farm, and how to work as a team to prepare food for better health.

Food is Medicine demonstrations during our days of camping, dinner as youth eat and laugh their way to health. Our program's Food as Medicine service is one of the standout memories of our program. Organic, native foods help clear our minds and improve our future generations. We operate on a whole other level.

Hot chocolate, relaxation, burnt marshmallows, and cultural story-telling, songs.

Following morning, we leave campsite and head down the mountain. We take time for morning Recreation before a Cultural Center Tour at Pala Reservation. The tour opens our eyes to advanced thinking on how balancing gaming revenue can benefit youth and community. After speaking with leaders and youth, we drive back to UCSD via CSUSM. We take rest and after dinner continue our seminar in Music and Writing. Inspired by our days together, we take this night to share each of our cultural backgrounds.

Day 9, 10 : UC San Diego Pathways to college are reviewed in detail and students are prepared with academic planners and a new focus on life-goals. UCSD's InterTribal Resource Center, Early Academic Outreach (EAOP) collaborate on a solid itinerary of college prep and financial aid.

Continuing days are filled with ITY's culturally-relative writing module, indigenous science, oceanography, multiple guest presentations and more days at the beach and surfing.

Writing workshops and projects are finalized as we prepare to celebrate each one's accomplishments. We spend another day in the water to round off our experience. Re-uniting with the ocean and beach is always a refreshing way to maintain balance. We will casually evaluate how far we all have come in such a short time. A life-changing experience sets in as youth have a "golden moment".

We spend an evening fire-side on the beach with local Kumeyaay and Ipai cultural story-tellers and Bird Singers refreshing our coastal spirit.

Our tour and personal journey with students ends for now as we transition and continue on the path of success, enlightened, and refreshed in mind and spirit. We will have a Pre-Lunch Recognition of participants and wish everyone well as we continue to make a better world for ourselves, our families and future generations.

Shared Registration Fee per participant is $1500:
Shared Registration Fee Explained: The actual cost of the 2-week program is $3300 per participant. Native Like Water provides subsidized scholarship match of $1,800 for each student through NLW fundraising efforts.
NLW asks that each participant/organization provide the matching cost through a “shared registration fee" of $1500

Thus, the “shared registration fee” for each participant is $1500 for the 2-week program, as cost to student, family, tribe/organization/sponsor.

Families and participants accomplish raising the “shared registration fee” with direct support from their community organizations, fundraising, tribal support, TANF, and/or family contribution. If a youth or family has trouble meeting the “shared registration fee” or lack resources, InterTribal Youth will work together with the student, community and family to locate the “shared registration fee”. A Limited # of FULL Scholarships are available for youth with no resources and/or economic hardship.

During the programs, all food, lodging, materials, instruction, snacks, and events are included.

Transportation to the meeting points in San Diego are not included in the shared registration fee. ITY does provide courtesy personal airport pick-up by our staff. 

Non-refundable deposit: 1st Payment, of $700 is to be submitted with registration form by May 1st (early registration); a registration form are emailed by request (click here)

(You may also choose to pay both payments at once with registration form)
Deposit guarantees reserved program spot. Spaces are limited to 20 students. First come basis for this program. Groups of 4 or more, please contact us directly. A confirmation packet with all details, waivers, and what to bring is mailed/ emailed when registration form and deposit are received

Worth it: Consider comparing the cost of a normal 3-day youth conference registration fee plus hotel cost, plus food, and personal one on one mentorship. One can see the obvious value, and decency, of the “shared registration fee” and ITY Programs.

Each ITY summer program services 15 youth at a time, allowing each participant to receive personal attention and keep the teacher/mentor student ratio ideal for a learning experience. InterTribal Youth assures that each youth receives a world-class education and exposure to the best resources imaginable.

Programs include 1st class accommodations, great food, nutrition, and access to the top ranked universities in the world. Daily curriculum focus is on wellness, culture, writing, storytelling, performance art, and indigenous earth and biological sciences. Our mentors and teachers are accomplished individuals and include young PhD doctoral candidates and guest lecturers known nationally and internationally for their work. With access to this experience, we guarantee a life-enriching experience second to none.

Questions? Please see our San Diego Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions Click here

We encourage giving. "It takes a village to raise a child" Monetary or service donations contact us or: click here.

 Watch this great San Diego Union Tribune feature video, below, from our past 2014 Summer.