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’ve had your fill of La Bandera for a while. We could have limoncillos instead!

When you think back to your program, I hope you remember all the challenging work you put into the rebound wall for 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. It was awesome to watch the way your group worked together with strong leadership and some of the best bottle sorting I’ve seen. Whether it was basketball under the cabana with a trash can as a hoop or playing on the court during breaks, we loved watching you interact with the youth of the community. You completely surpassed our expectations, and now the youth of Caño Dulce have a beautiful court to play basketball on that contributes to healthy and active lifestyles.

Along with the service aspect, we had many memorable experiences during those two weeks in the Dominican Republic. From the early mornings of surfing at sunrise to fitting in a couple quick card games before breakfast. We celebrated birthdays with snacks and bonfires and some of you went home with beautiful cornrows and braids, courtesy of an employee at the lodge. I give you guys the win for how much you loved your snacks and grocery store runs. Did anyone keep a count of how many Clif Bars and Fanta were consumed during this trip? It seems like yesterday that Ethan “took a lap” around the lodge and belly flopped right into the pool. We showed our skills during our baseball game in Las Canas as some of you hit some real dingers. You resembled a family, which made our experience that much more meaningful.

Thanks for making our time together so special for the Sports Service Adventure staff, whether it was getting our hands dirty in Caño Dulce or traveling to and from our destinations on the bus along the beautiful Dominican countryside. Colin, Walner and I had an unforgettable summer. We hope that you stay in touch with us and consider returning to the DR for more adventures!
Saludos,

-Alex and the SSA Staff

 

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.

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

 

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.

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

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.

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

 

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.

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

 

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.