Created in 1997, Fun in the Sun is a national award-winning summer learning and enrichment program that provides a full summer of academics, field trips and enrichment activities, and social-emotional learning opportunities to hundreds of students from TK-6th grade each summer.
Program Services:
Partnering Districts:
Carpinteria Unified School District, Goleta Union School District, Guadalupe Union School District, Santa Barbara Unified School District, Solvang School District
“One of my daughter’s most memorable experiences at Fun in the Sun was learning about financial literacy with Montecito Bank & Trust. She shared what she learned with our family at home, including the importance of opening bank accounts and saving for the future.”
“Fun in the Sun gave our daughter motivation for the school year, helped her stay on track with her grades, and created lasting, positive memories with friends.”
“Fun in the Sun is a program that we really count on for the success of students. What we usually see is the academic fallback at the start of the year, but a lot of kids who participated in Fun in the Sun are coming ready. They’ve been reading over the summer, using literacy tools, and really having the time to keep up and keep going with their academics so they’re ready to start the school year.”
“We went fishing – that was a really good memory I’ll remember forever. Or swimming. I’m a terrible swimmer, but got better during Fun in the Sun. It makes me feel proud of myself.”
“Fun in the Sun is the most organized program I’ve ever experienced. To see students’ growth socially, academically…I wish every student was able to go through Fun in the Sun and have that experience. The partnership with United Way is one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced as an educator and a principal. Being able to have that support for our district and our families is invaluable.”
“We cannot do this alone. We depend on our partners to help us move the learning of students forward. Come fall, it’s very clear which students have participated in Fun in the Sun because those students are prepared to enter the next grade level with strong academic and social skills.”
“Today for STEAM, we did Lego robots, and we made a car. It was really fun!”
“We go to field trips, we ride bikes, we learned a new language, we went fishing…even though I didn’t catch anything.”
“I didn’t know how to swim, but at Fun in the Sun, I started getting the hang of it. And then I started swimming all around! I can’t believe that happened to me. That was like my best day ever!”
“I’m here because I made a promise to the kids. That smile matters a lot. That smile on a kids face matters more than anything.”
“Fun in the Sun boosted my son’s confidence. He went from struggling to read at the end of the school year to absolutely loving reading. After his time at Fun in the Sun, he was even excited to read us labels in the grocery store or street signs while driving in the car. It made a huge difference.”
Enroll your student for the 2026 Fun in the Sun program. Visit the link below to view current campuses and apply.
Franklin Elementary (Santa Barbara) ENG | ESP
Harding Elementary (Santa Barbara) ENG | ESP
El Camino Elementary (Goleta) ENG | ESP
Solvang Elementary (Santa Ynez Valley) ENG | ESP
Carpinteria Unified School District | Enroll
Mary Buren Elementary (Guadalupe) ENG | ESP
For questions about the Fun in the Sun program or enrollment, please contact:
Nadine Vasquez at nvasquez@unitedwaysb.org or via phone at 805-965-8591.
Join the Fun in the Sun team for the 2026 program. View open program positions and apply at the link below.
Give today to support students in the Fun in the Sun summer learning program.
Albertsons Carpinteria, Aliso Elementary School, Canalino Elementary School, Carpinteria Unified School District, Creative Dance Netwerk, Delgados Mexican Restaurant, MOXI, Pizza Man Dans, Webcore, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, First 5 of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Unified School District, AAA, Adelante Charter School, Amazon, American Indian Health & Services, American Riviera Bank, College School District, Cottage Health, CrossnoKaye, Franklin Elementary School, Santa Barbara USD, Harding Elementary School, Santa Barbara USD, Hollister Elementary School, Goleta Union School District, Hope Elementary School, Impact.com, Kermit McKenzie, Guadalupe USD, Klein DeNatale Goldner, L3Harris, Mary Buren Elementary School, NALS Apartment Homes, Peabody Elementary, Procore, Santa Barbara Infrared, SB Legal Defense, Solvang School, Solvang School District, UCSB PD, Webcor Builders, Carpinteria Unified School District, Franklin Elementary School, Harding Elementary School, Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE), Santa Barbara Unified School District, Guadalupe Union School District, Cottage Health, Wilderness Youth Program, Santa Barbara Music Academy, Robert Half
320 East Gutierrez St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-8591