(Updated for Summer 2021, Baja, San Diego to Santa Barbara)

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 10-15 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

Fellows Only Scholarship: Registration Fee per participant: $500 for the So Cal Program, (10 Days) This fee is for 2021 established Fellows that have successfully completed Part 1 of the NLW Fellowship.

Non-Fellows Registration Shared Fee: $1300 (10 Days)
Non-Fellows Shared Registration Fee Explained: The actual cost of the 2-week program is $2600 per participant. NLW provides half scholarship match of $1,300 per each youth through ITY fundraising efforts.
NLW asks that each participant/organization provide the matching half of the cost through a “shared registration fee".

Thus, the “shared registration fee” for each participant is the remaining half of $2600 which is $1300 for the 10 day program, as cost to student, family, tribe/organization/sponsor.

Non-refundable deposit: 1st Payment, of $700 is to be submitted with registration form by June 1 (early registration); to make deposit on-line (click here)
2nd payment of $600 must be received before July 1, 2021.
(You may also choose to pay both payments at once with registration form)
Deposit guarantees reserved program spot. Spaces are limited. There will be an interview process after we receive your registration form. A confirmation packet with all details, waivers, and what to bring is mailed/ emailed when registration form and deposit are received.

Step Three. Raise the "shared cost” registration fee: Formal or informal requests to family members, community members, Tribal Councils, or business are the first place to start. If needed, NLW can supply a formal letter to assist you, briefly describing our program and point to the fact that this is a "shared cost" and the NLW program matches up to 50% of scholarship cost to attend.
We understand that fundraising may pose a challenge; however, it is an important exercise, skill, which will a) benefit you throughout one’s educational career and b) inspire community investment, support of local young people. Families and educational programs accomplish raising the “shared registration fee” through direct support from their community organizations, fundraising, tribal support, TANF, and/or family contribution. If a you or family has trouble meeting the “shared registration fee” or lack resources, NLW will work together with the student, community and family to locate the “shared registration fee”.
If after making a sincere effort, you are struggling with this, please contact us ASAP. You have come a long way already; and we have faith that you can do anything. We want to help. Trips are TAX-DEDUCTABLE and can be written off as a gifted educational donation. Fed Tax ID: 33-0845610.

Step Four: Confirmation: A confirmation packet with details is mailed or emailed within 7 days of your registration form and deposit is received. If for some reason, you choose not to attend after making your final payment, you will be given travel credit (less the $700 non-refundable deposit) with NLW to be used within one year. There will be another opportunity for you. Transportation to/from San Diego is not included in the Program Fee.
NLW Staff provides pick up/drop off at San Diego Airport, Train, or Bus station.
During the programs, all food, lodging, materials, instruction, snacks, and events are included.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is Included in program? All lodging, meals, snacks, instructors, logistics, outfitting, in-tour transport, 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? Conservation and Science Enrichment, Wellness, Arts & Culture, Tribal Interchange, Surfing, Life Skills and Leadership.

Eligibility and who can attend? The 2021 Program is designed for Native American and BIPOC. We accept young adults 17 and older from 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. For 2021, we will limit our group to 10-15 people, including staff. This 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/Airbnb big house, with 4 nights camping.  In dorms and tents, 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 3 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. During our 4-night camping trip, service is patchy. post 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.

Why is there a cost and how is it different from other programs? Consider comparing the cost of a normal 3-day conference registration, or cultural music festival. Consider registration fee, hotel, food, and personal one on one mentorship. Comparing, one can see the value, and decency of the “shared registration fee”. NLW program is not funded through government grants. NLW enrichment is a unique program, maintaining sovereignty over its curriculum and design, providing the services most crucial to our service population. NLW is acclaimed as one of the only programs of its kind serving inter-tribal folks with attention to detail, second to none.

Each summer program, covid times, is now servicing 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? After the registration fee (explained above), there will be no additional costs.  Included in the registration fee are all lodging, meals, instructors, logistics, outfitting, tours, program t-shirts, bag, class materials, and activity fees. Spending money will only be needed for gifts, mementos, sharing, etc. There will be program “hoody” sweatshirts available for approximately $50. Transportation to/from San Diego is not included in the program fee.

Payment? 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 will be available shortly.

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

Check Memo: NLW So Cal 21

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 858-314-8821. Voices messages are returned.
Like our FB/Youtube/Instagram/Twitter: Native Like Water, Intertribal Youth