Fun in the Sun
United Way of Santa Barbara County, 320 E Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
About
Fun in the Sun includes daily mindfulness curriculum and activities, STEAM education, and environmental education. The program offers swim lessons, bike riding, team-building activities, service-learning, and field trips. Participants also take part in daily reading and writing, expression through arts, character education, self-esteem building activities, and sun safety education.
• Ages: 7–11 years old
• Schedule: Six-week sessions for mindfulness programming
Fun in the Sun includes adult mentorship, mentorship opportunities, and a Leaders-In-Training option for students in 9th–12th grade. The program offers free lunch and snacks, free health services, nutrition and health education, financial literacy training, family fun nights, and parent education seminars. Since 1997, United Way of Santa Barbara County has provided Fun in the Sun as a national award-winning summer learning collaborative program that operates at 6 sites across the county and involves 80 service delivery partners, more than 20 funding partners, and over 600 volunteers. According to program information, more than 400 students improve their academic, behavioral, and social skills through Fun in the Sun, and 200 parents practice positive parenting practices and family strengthening activities through a specialized parent engagement curriculum. United Way of Santa Barbara County states that its mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve school readiness and academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery. The program is led in part by Melinda Cabrera, Vice President, Strategic Partnership, United Way of Santa Barbara County.
One testimonial from Dr. Emilio Handall, Superintendent of the Guadalupe School District, notes that students in Fun in the Sun learned skills such as bike riding and that students who participate in the program are having very few problems returning to school. A parent from the 2020 virtual session reports that their daughter was engaged and learned new things while attending virtually. Melinda Cabrera reports that after six weeks of consistent mindfulness programming, students seemed more in tune with their emotions and more willing to resolve conflict. Another parent of a 2021 participant reports that staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and organized, and that their child received an eye exam and free dental and travel care items through the program.
Last updated April 2, 2026.
• Ages: 7–11 years old
• Schedule: Six-week sessions for mindfulness programming
Fun in the Sun includes adult mentorship, mentorship opportunities, and a Leaders-In-Training option for students in 9th–12th grade. The program offers free lunch and snacks, free health services, nutrition and health education, financial literacy training, family fun nights, and parent education seminars. Since 1997, United Way of Santa Barbara County has provided Fun in the Sun as a national award-winning summer learning collaborative program that operates at 6 sites across the county and involves 80 service delivery partners, more than 20 funding partners, and over 600 volunteers. According to program information, more than 400 students improve their academic, behavioral, and social skills through Fun in the Sun, and 200 parents practice positive parenting practices and family strengthening activities through a specialized parent engagement curriculum. United Way of Santa Barbara County states that its mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve school readiness and academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery. The program is led in part by Melinda Cabrera, Vice President, Strategic Partnership, United Way of Santa Barbara County.
One testimonial from Dr. Emilio Handall, Superintendent of the Guadalupe School District, notes that students in Fun in the Sun learned skills such as bike riding and that students who participate in the program are having very few problems returning to school. A parent from the 2020 virtual session reports that their daughter was engaged and learned new things while attending virtually. Melinda Cabrera reports that after six weeks of consistent mindfulness programming, students seemed more in tune with their emotions and more willing to resolve conflict. Another parent of a 2021 participant reports that staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and organized, and that their child received an eye exam and free dental and travel care items through the program.
Last updated April 2, 2026.
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