(Updated for Summer 2024 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/Airbnb big house, with 2-3 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 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. 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.

Services
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? Transportation to/from San Diego is not included in the program fee.

Costs / Shared Registration Fee per participant is $1400:
Shared Registration Fee Explained: The actual cost of the multi-day program is $3500 per participant. Native Like Water provides 60% subsidized scholarship match for each student through NLW fundraising efforts.
NLW asks that each participant/organization provide the matching cost through a “shared registration fee" of $1400

Thus, the “shared registration fee” for each participant is $1400 for the 8 day program, as cost to student, family, tribe/organization/sponsor. Partial and Full Scholarships are available and based on family need. This option is available on the registration form itself.

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.

Donations? 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 24

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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