(Updated for Summer 2025 San Diego)

Step One. Decide on your attendance: The decision to attend is indeed an honor to your community and our program. Participants must submit their registration as soon as possible. Every year this popular program's spaces fill quickly.

During and post covid, each of our current programs only accepts a small group of no more than 15-20 participants. It is important we confirm our participants' placement. We are available to assist you with questions and with groups of 3 or more. Contact us at: intertribalyouth@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is Included in program? All lodging, meals, snacks, instructors, logistics, outfitting, camping excursion and activity fees included. Primary stay is Glamping and Airbnb big house on the coast. Not Included: *Transportation to and from La Jolla, CA our starting point.

What is the purpose of this program? Surfing Enrichment, Wellness, & Culture, Tribal Interchange, Surfing, Life Skills and Leadership.

Eligibility and who can attend? We accept young teens ages 12-18 years old of all educational and cultural 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. Our low participation size enables the program to provide personal attention and a great mentor/teacher - student ratio. Proof of federal or state tribal enrollment is not required.

Where do participants sleep and what are the arrangements? Accommodations will always be clean, comfortable moderately upscale university dorms.  In dorms males and females participants are always separated. There are 1.5 staff members to every 3 participants.

Leads, Chaperones? Program Director Marc Chavez and an experienced adult female lead (TBA) summer program coordinator will maintain logistics and supervise students along with 4 trained adult professional and student advisors/mentors hired based on experience. Most staff are seasoned experienced participants. Background checks required.

Airport/Bus pick-up? NLW staff provides courtesy airport, bus, and train station pick-up/drop off.

Keeping in touch with participant? In your confirmation packet, NLW will supply direct cell phone numbers to reach staff in case of an emergency. Posted pictures and videos to our Native Like Water social media sites. Families can follow their experience. Cell phones are sometimes restricted to certain times (TBD) and use not allowed during instruction times.

Services
Each summer program, we service smaller groups at a time, allowing each participant to receive personal attention and keep the teacher/mentor student ratio ideal for a learning experience. NLW assures that each 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 an experience of a lifetime.

Are there additional costs? Transportation to/from San Diego is not included in the program fee.

Shared Registration Fee - This program is based on a shared registration fee, asking for a 50% collaboration from participants/family/community. Those who have access to economic resources and/or community, family support we strongly encourage you to support your students endeavor. For those with economic challenges, or no access to resource or family help,  NLW supplies partial scholarships based on student/family need.

Suggested shared registration fee to family/community is $800 per participant. Registration includes food, lodging, ground transportation during program, surf equipments, mentorship team, and all professional instruction. If you are in the position to support or have a tribal/community sponsor, the actual cost per student is $1,500.  

A $300 fee donation is due with registration to hold student spot. Payment plan is accepted and can be arranged. Make first payment here on line on our website - Credit Card PAYMENT Donation Click here.
OR For Venmo Click here. Venmo memo put- "NLW Teen Surf 25"

Scholarships available for folks with little to no resources are provided based on need. Partial Scholarship selection offered at the end of this registration form. We are here to service all youth and are willing to work with each individuals needs. 2025 has been very challenging for Native Like Water in terms of funding for this summer, so we appreciate your support and understanding. We can supply letters of invite to help solicit sponsors for student. 

Shared Registration Fee Payment as Donation On-line Credit Card Payments accepted.  Invoices needs contact us. Native Like Water is a program of One World BRIDGE Non-Profit 501c3 and on-line payments via our donations page.

Checks/Money Orders are made payable to:
One World BRIDGE - ITY
6 Elm Ave
Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Check Memo: NLW So Cal 25

Accounting: J.L. Jackson 619-708-7858

Payment by CREDIT CARD Accepted on our Donations Page

For further questions email at: intertribalyouth@gmail.com or call 858. 987 twenty-two 6 Zero. Voices messages are returned.
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