Fun in the Sun
United Way of Santa Barbara County, 320 E Gutierrez St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
About
Fun in the Sun is a national award-winning summer learning and enrichment program that offers a full summer of academics, field trips, enrichment activities, and social-emotional learning opportunities. Scholars take part in hands-on STEAM projects such as Lego robots and making a car, go on community field trips, and join health and wellness activities like riding bikes, fishing, and swimming. The program also includes college and career exploration, learning a new language, daily snacks and lunch, reading over the summer, using literacy tools, and learning about financial literacy with Montecito Bank & Trust.
• Ages: 5–11 years old
• Schedule: A full summer
Created in 1997, Fun in the Sun serves more than 450 students each summer across 6 campuses in Santa Barbara County with support from over 40 program partners and more than 250 community volunteers. Program services include a national award-winning academic curriculum and social-emotional learning and enrichment. The program is part of United Way of Santa Barbara County, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve academic achievement, financial security, and community resiliency.
Partnering districts include Carpinteria Unified School District, Goleta Union School District, Guadalupe Union School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, and Solvang School District. Program partners include schools, local businesses, nonprofits, and organizations such as Montecito Bank & Trust, MOXI, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, First 5 of Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, Wilderness Youth Program, Santa Barbara Music Academy, and many others.
Parents, educators, and students report specific experiences at Fun in the Sun, including learning about opening bank accounts and saving for the future, reading more over the summer, and taking part in activities like fishing, swimming, riding bikes, building Lego robots, and learning a new language. Multiple principals and district leaders describe Fun in the Sun as part of a broader partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County that also includes school-year tutoring and other community support programs.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
• Ages: 5–11 years old
• Schedule: A full summer
Created in 1997, Fun in the Sun serves more than 450 students each summer across 6 campuses in Santa Barbara County with support from over 40 program partners and more than 250 community volunteers. Program services include a national award-winning academic curriculum and social-emotional learning and enrichment. The program is part of United Way of Santa Barbara County, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve academic achievement, financial security, and community resiliency.
Partnering districts include Carpinteria Unified School District, Goleta Union School District, Guadalupe Union School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, and Solvang School District. Program partners include schools, local businesses, nonprofits, and organizations such as Montecito Bank & Trust, MOXI, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, First 5 of Santa Barbara County, Cottage Health, Wilderness Youth Program, Santa Barbara Music Academy, and many others.
Parents, educators, and students report specific experiences at Fun in the Sun, including learning about opening bank accounts and saving for the future, reading more over the summer, and taking part in activities like fishing, swimming, riding bikes, building Lego robots, and learning a new language. Multiple principals and district leaders describe Fun in the Sun as part of a broader partnership with United Way of Santa Barbara County that also includes school-year tutoring and other community support programs.
Last updated July 2, 2026.
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