Hey everybody!

Time has flown since the end of your Sports Service Adventure program. I’m sure you are all busy and back to your routines at home, so I wanted to take a minute to recollect some of the awesome times that we had. If only we could do this over a delicious meal of chicken, rice and beans. But maybe you all had your fill of La Bandera for a lifetime.

When you think back to your program, I hope you remember all the challenging work you put into the basketball court and fun time we spent on the beach surfing and enjoying the Dominican sun. Each time I return to Caño Dulce and see the final product, it makes me so happy to think about the effort that you all put into your project as you set the tone for the rest of the summer. Can you believe how much cement you all mixed? You were such a hardworking group and set a high bar for the following groups. And don’t forget the awesome relationships that you cultivated with the members of Caño Dulce. Despite the language barrier, you found ways to connect and communicate which meant a lot to those that we were working with. Samuel still asks about you and hopes that you are doing well! You completely surpassed our expectations with what you accomplished. Now, the youth of Caño Dulce have a painted basketball court and rebound wall to contribute to healthier and more active lifestyles.

We shared some fun times during your two weeks in the Dominican Republic. You started many of our program days out early surfing at sunrise and seeing the marvel of the sky over the ocean. We finished our days spending time together playing endless games of cards, eating snacks, hanging out at the “chill spot,” and singing to Walner’s ringtone every time it played. You were fearless on the zipline and never missed a chance to play a pickup game of soccer. We jumped through beautiful waterfalls at 27 Charcos with an authentic pica pollo lunch. Remember on our way back when you guys insisted on going to the sporting goods store after lunch that was a place to buy things for little kids’ parties? I won’t forget the last night when we shared our guardian angels on the beach around a bonfire, and we saw the authenticity of how each of you had impacted others on the trip.

A lot of quality time was fit into 14 days as we stepped out of our comfort zones to embrace the Dominican Republic and support each other in our service and watersport adventures. Thanks for making our time together so special for our staff. We didn’t know exactly what to the expect with this being the first summer for the Sports Service Adventure program in the Dominican Republic, so kudos to all of you for being the pioneers. Colin, Walner and I had an unforgettable summer and learned so much from you. We hope that you stay in touch with us and consider returning to the DR for more adventures!

 

Saludos,

-Alex and the SSA Staff

 

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Hello students!

Session five was a blast! You guys were our final session and we were sad the summer was coming to a close, but you were an awesome group to help us end the summer season with a bang! 

On day one after arrival, we spent time getting to know each other and helping you get familiar with home base, which would be your new home for the upcoming 10 days. The next day, we jumped right into our activities, and it was a great start to your long-awaited Beachside Service Adventure! We started off with a bus ride to Brison trail, and then hiked to the top of the mountain for lunch.

On day three, we started building the bottle houses, which many of you were excited about after seeing photos and videos of the building process from previous years’ programs. You all truly cared about the process, and the bigger picture behind the structures you were creating, and we are so proud of your efforts!

One of the highlights for us staff members was seeing you all interact with the local community, and gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and daily life. Plus, who could forget the epic basketball game between you and the local teens!

Here are a few of our favorite memories from Session 5:

-Working side-by-side with the family who now lives in the house you built

-Our cake at lunch to celebrate all your hard work!

-Seeing you all work together and support each other during your service activites

-Ziplining into Dudu Lagoon

-Snorkeling with all the tropical fish

-Yummy Pina Coladas and Strawberry Daiquiris (virgin of course!)

-Playing games on the beach at Playa Preciosa

We miss you guys, and we’re so grateful to have gotten to know each and every one of you. The work you did here has made a lasting impact on the local community, and we hope that you will come back to visit us in the future!

-Your DR Beachside Staff

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All session 4 students arrived safe and sound to home base on day one, and everyone was excited for the activities to begin. Students used the first day to get acquainted with home base, and to get to know their fellow students and staff members. But first thing the next morning, we were off!

We headed to Brison where we hiked for two hours to the top for lunch. We discussed how many of the local children make that same journey every day to get to school and then once more to get back home. Students were shocked to learn this, and it was very eye opening for them and really helped to put everything in perspective.

The next day, our group got to visit the Dudu Lagoon where students had the opportunity for an adrenaline rush by ziplining across the lagoon! The adrenaline junkies didn’t think twice – they were all for it!

The lagoon itself was beautiful and crystal clear – even us staff members never quite get used to how pretty the area truly is! All the students had the chance to jump in the water and swim with the colorful tropical fish.

We then headed to Playa Preciosa where the students got to frolic in the sand and jump around in the waves. Local vendors made their rounds, giving students an opportunity to support the local businesses, as well as purchase some one-of-a-kind handmade souvenirs for their family and friends back home.

Back at home base, students got to sit down for a lecture and discussion, but an unexpected power outage cut our lecture short. It all worked out in the end, because our group decided to venture down to the beach to watch the gorgeous sunset over the water!

One of the top highlights for us staff members was seeing you all interact with the local community, and gaining a deeper understanding of the culture and daily life.

We miss you guys, and we’re so grateful to have gotten to know each and every one of you. The work you did here has made a lasting impact on the local community, and we hope that you will come back to visit us in the future!

-Your DR Beachside Staff

 

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Hi session three!

Arrival day was full of introductions and getting to know each other, as well as settling into home base. You were all happy and excited to finally be on your DR program, and we were thrilled to have you and couldn’t wait to start your activities!

Day two started bright and early with a bus ride up to Brison, and a four mile hike up the mountain. It was super hot, but you guys pushed through and made it to the top where we got to sit down for a delicious lunch and enjoy great conversations throughout the group.

When we got started with your service, you were truly immersed into a brand new culture where you’d be working to build a house for a family of six! Meeting the family was really special, because it makes the service work that much more meaningful when you can meet and interact with those who you are helping. You guys took on a whole bunch of different jobs, including mixing cement, cutting and securing chicken wire, separating bottles for insulation, and finishing the walls for the structure. You all kicked butt!

To balance out your awesome service work, it was time for some fun. The group went to Sosua and got the chance to snorkel with the tropical fish and experience the beauty of the coral reefs up close.  

Next, we continued with our service efforts by helping to restore a school in the community of Severe. You all had the opportunity to learn more about the local culture and how the community receives the volunteer work of student groups like yourselves. Back at home base, we continued the discussion and opened up for questions and commentary in order to gain a deeper understanding of issues surrounding the local community.

It was wonderful to see how passionate you all were about learning and truly understanding the full scope of your service work and how your efforts will affect the community long term.

-Your DR Beachside Staff

 

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Hola session two (all 26 of you)!

As we think about the awesome 10 days you spent here in the Dominican Republic, we can’t help but be flooded with great memories!

From day one, your group was off to a great start. You all arrived safe and sound to home base, and quickly began settling in and getting to know each other. We could tell right away that lifelong friendships would be made during this experience.

The following day we kicked off your activities, starting with a bus ride up to Brison. You guys said the bus felt like a sauna – and you were right! We’re used to it by now, but we definitely understand how intense the Dominican heat can be if you haven’t experienced it before. But you guys were troopers, and we made it to Brison, and the gorgeous views were totally worth it!

We got to hike the mountain and have lunch with Dona Maxima, who has met many of our GLA students in the past. She made us delicious homemade chicken, and it was so good, some of you guys were still talking about it days later!

Your service begun in the Cano Dulce community, where you were introduced to the William and his four children. This was the family you’d be helping to build a home for. It was so cool that his children were around during your service so you could get to know them and learn more about the family you were directly helping with your efforts. We were so proud of how you all took charge and divided up the various tasks in order to get as much work done as possible in the time given. The progress you made was amazing!

For the next part of your service, we headed to Las Cuevas to help at a local nature preserve. You guys planted tons of trees, which will make a huge and long-lasting impact on local reforestation efforts.

After all of your work the first few days, you were due for some R & R. So we headed to Playa Alicia for some fun in the sun. Whether you were lounging on the sand, romping in the waves, or playing games on the beach, your day of relaxation was well-deserved!

The next day, you guys got right back into it and continued kicking butt with your service in the Severe community. Once again, you all conquered your tasks and divided them up in order to maximize your progress. Such good thinkers!

Next up was another well-deserved day of adventure, which included ziplining, swimming in Dudu Lagoon, exploring mysterious caves, and enjoying some refreshing virgin Pina Coladas on the beach.

On your final day, we recall you all chatting and reflecting about your experiences, what you learned, the obstacles you overcame, and the bonds you made with one another, as well as members of the local community. Nothing makes us happier than to know our students feel a sense of pride and accomplishment for the service they completed here in the DR.

We miss you all and hope you are having an amazing year, whether you are back at your high school, or have moved forward to college or another adventure!

Sincerely,

-Your DR Beachside Staff, 2017

 

Feeling nostalgic? You can experience that same sense of friendship and adventure abroad again! Check out all our brand new Dominican Republic program, designed with alumni in-mind, or enroll now.