Dominican Republic

Who: US Students
When: June 20 - 26, 2023
Trip Leaders: Ms. Deventer
Approximate Cost: $3,900

For years MBS has been committed to providing service opportunities in the summer months for our students. This year, we will offer students the opportunity to earn service hours in the Dominican Republic, an island that is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches and has a reputation for having some of the friendliest people you’ll meet.

Leaving behind the typical resorts and tourist destinations, we will travel deep into the heart of the country to the underserved communities of predominantly Haitian sugarcane workers, where we will work on projects including infrastructure rehabilitation, health initiatives, and education projects with local children.

We will spend evenings getting to know the community, music, local cuisine, and history. We will also find time to visit the nearby town of Juan Dolio to spend a morning relaxing at the beach and take time after service to play pickup games of baseball with the local kids or share a coffee or a meal with neighbors.

June 20, 2023
Welcome to the Dominican Republic!

Arrive into Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (SDQ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head directly to the town of Consuelo, a 1-hour drive, and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Flight Details: TBA

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macorís

June 21-22, 2023
Service Projects in Batey Communities

Contribute to ongoing community development projects for sugar cane workers and their families, who are marginalized in substandard housing and lack necessary resources. Work on projects in the Batey community for the next two days, which include infrastructure rehabilitation, health initiatives, or education projects with local children. Spend evenings getting to know the community, music, local cuisine, and history during your time in San Pedro.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macorís

June 23, 2023
Explore Jarabacoa

After breakfast, head to the nearby town Juan Dolio and spend your morning relaxing at the beach. After a hearty Caribbean lunch, get ready for a 4 hour drive to the mountain town of Jarabacoa. Learn about the environmental initiatives taking place in the region and the harmonious relationship economic and ecological communities have built around them.

Overnight: Sonido del Yaque, Jarabacoa

June 24, 2023
Service in the Mountains

Work on infrastructure projects and take time after service to play a pickup game of baseball with the local kids, share a coffee with neighbors, and get to know the local community. Explore the mountains, eat delicious native food, and learn about local music and history. Discuss your service experience focusing on responsible tourism and water access, making connections between the local ecological and community resources and how they are interconnected.

Overnight: Sonido del Yaque, Jarabacoa

June 25, 2023
Explore Santo Domingo

Head back to the capital to the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to the first university, cathedral, and hospital in the Americas. Take a tour of the walled city and learn about the deep history of the first European settlement in the Americas. Enjoy a special dinner and dance show at a typical Dominican restaurant.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Overnight: Hotel, Santo Domingo

June 26, 2023
¡Adiós, Dominican Republic!

Say goodbye to your new friends and to the beautiful DR. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Students must see Ms. Deventer in person by Monday, May 23. to have their name placed on the initial list.

Participants will be selected for the trips from that list based on the following criteria:

• All travelers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the trip. This means that on the date of travel, at least 14 days will have passed since your child received the final shot for the vaccine, AND your child is up-to-date with any recommended booster shots.
• Proof of vaccination status must be provided to Bridget Marcato, School Nurse.
• All travelers must follow all health and safety regulations issued by the destination location, as well as any such regulations issued by MBS.
• All students must be in good standing in order to be eligible for any of the trips being offered.
• Juniors and seniors will have top priority.
• Space is limited. No more than 20 students will be on the trip.
• If we reach the maximum number of participants for a given trip, we will need to hold a lottery for juniors and seniors.
• Freshmen and sophomores will be picked by way of a lottery system after the juniors and seniors have been selected.
• The deadline for the sign-ups for interested participants is Monday, May 23.. Sign-ups must be in person. No exceptions.
• The Trip Leader and Director of Global Studies will send an email to those selected with the information on how to sign-up online for the trip, if applicable.
• Selected participants must be signed up and pay a non-refundable deposit of $300 by June 3. 
• Financial aid is available for anyone needing assistance. Please see Ms. Ahern for more information.