“It’s just so beautiful.”
That’s how Jonathan, a young student from Chula Vista, describes his time at the beach this summer. His favorite activity? Searching the sand for the very best seashells.
He was apprehensive about spending some of his summer days at Camp Surf, but says he was quickly proven wrong.
“It’s been really fun to be here,” he said. “I’m making great memories with my friends.”
Jonathan is one of many students participating in a new kind of summer learning experience, one that blends place-based environmental education, youth development and joyful connection.
Connecting Classrooms to Coastlines
This summer, the San Diego Foundation (TCoP) helped spark a unique partnership between Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) and YMCA of San Diego County’s Camp Surf.
Students in CVESD live with the daily impacts of transboundary pollution – from environmental degradation to public health risks – yet they often lack access to meaningful environmental education.
In response, both organizations developed a coastal education summer camp that builds students’ environmental awareness, connection to place, and advocacy skills, empowering them to become the next generation of environmental stewards.
At Camp Surf, more than 300 students rolled up their sleeves and dove into discovery. Through hands-on coastal studies and exploration, they deepened their understanding of the environment around them and their roles in protecting it.
“When kids are aware, they understand how issues (like pollution) affect them,” said Jamie Cosson, Executive Director of Overnight Camps at the YMCA of San Diego County.
“They’re going to be our future leaders in this environment, and we need to plant those seeds,” Cosson said. “We’re leaving the world to them, and we want it to be better than it is right now.”
Building Environmental Leaders, Starting with Access
These experiences are more than science for many students. They’re about visibility and belonging.
“Sometimes in disaggregated communities, kids feel like their voices are not heard. They don’t realize their full potential and how powerful it can be,” said Omar Calleros, Director of Expanded Learning Programs at CVESD.
“I hope they really do connect what they have developed here into their future,” Calleros said. “There’s nothing better than talking to a child that has this buzz energy about their day.”
By connecting what happens in the classroom with what happens outside of it, the TCoP enhances learning and strengthens the systems that promote environmental leadership. It’s not just about preparing students to succeed in school; it’s about preparing them to shape the future of their communities and the planet.
At Camp Surf, students explored real-world topics like marine science, water quality, renewable energy and environmental health. They used scientific tools, worked together with peers, and examined issues like pollution and climate change with fresh eyes and curious minds.
Partnerships That Power the Future
The success of this summer’s camp didn’t happen on its own. It’s the result of deep collaboration between CVESD, YMCA Camp Surf and San Diego Foundation (SDF) – funded in partnership by Alumbra Innovations Foundation.
“We have Camp Surf, the facility on the ocean. Chula Vista has the kids, and SDF gave us support financially to make that happen,” Cosson said. “When you pull three amazing organizations together to make a difference, we can really move the needle.”
For students, this partnership offered more than a camp. It sparked lasting curiosity and opened doors to future careers in environmental fields.
About Thrive Community of Practice
The Thrive Community of Practice brings together schools and nonprofits to provide students with meaningful environmental learning — both in and out of the classroom.
The TCoP includes 11 community-based organizations and three school districts, with SDF serving as the backbone organization. In this role, SDF provides coordination, strategic support, and infrastructure to help partners collaborate effectively toward a shared goal: building equitable, connected environmental learning systems that support student development and leadership.
This summer camp is one of four collaborative projects supported through TCoP. Other efforts include:
- A toolkit to support respectful and sustainable Indigenous engagement
- A partnership guide to strengthen long-term collaboration between schools and community-based organizations
- Initiatives to embed outdoor learning into school systems in lasting, systemic ways
Each project addresses a specific challenge in the field, with the shared goal of expanding access to environmental education and preparing the next generation of climate and community leaders.
