Dominican Republic
Community Service & Batey Life
About the Program
Immerse your students in the unique experience of life in a Dominican batey community, where they will engage in meaningful service projects that directly support local development efforts. Through hands-on work and cultural exchange, students will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and resilience of these communities. This program offers a blend of community service, cultural immersion, and personal growth, giving students a chance to make a real impact while exploring the rich culture of the Dominican Republic.
Itinerary
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!
- Arrive at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo (SDQ) and meet Global Works leaders
- Head to accommodations in San Pedro de Macoris and settle in
- Orientation discussion with the group to learn about the week ahead, expectations for the experience, and an introduction to the local culture
- Enjoy a local dinner and rest for the upcoming busy days!
OPTIONAL ADD ON TO ARRIVAL DAY:
- Santo Domingo Colonial Tour and Dance Presentation: explore Colonial Santo Domingo with a historical tour. Dinner at a local restaurant with a local dance presentation. Spend the night in Santo Domingo.
- Breakfast at our home base
- Transfer to a nearby community to get started on community-led service projects. Projects include pouring concrete floors in homes and installing latrines throughout town with the goal of enhanced sanitation and improved living conditions
- Break for lunch
- Service projects pick up momentum in the afternoon
- Return to home base for rest and downtime
- Professional dance lesson! Learn Merengue and Bachata
- Breakfast at our home base
- Community infrastructure projects continue
- Break for lunch and exchange with local youth
- Projects continue in the afternoon
- Afternoon workshop with a local guest speaker on immigration and the Dominican-Haitian relationship
- After dinner at the home base, watch the documentary ‘The Price of Sugar’ and engage in a thought-provoking evening group discussion
- Breakfast at the home base
- Morning visit to the bateyes for an interactive Sugar Cane Tour – gain insight into the region’s history of sugar production and its cultural significance
- Transfer to the coast for a beachside lunch!
- Enjoy the beach this afternoon in Juan Dolio – soak in the sun, swim, and relax after a couple of days of hard work
- Dinner at the home base followed by group reflection
- Breakfast at the home base
- Morning spent in the community alongside our new friends – share stories, play games, and practice Spanish. Closing ceremony with the community
- Lunch at our home base
- Visit Impacta Kids Foundation, founded by MLB player Manny Acta. Meet the children and hear about their personal journeys. Learn how sports empower youth and build confidence
- Participate in a lively baseball game with the kids at Impacta, celebrating one of the Dominican Republic’s favorite pastimes.
- Final dinner at our home base – we head to the coast tomorrow morning!
- Breakfast and pack our bags for a transfer East toward Bayahibe, a beautiful coastal town with white sand beaches and turquoise waters
- Visit Padre Nuestro Cave – take a short hike through a winding trial, and swim in crystal clear water inside of a cave!
- Beachside lunch
- Snorkeling and swimming along the local beach this afternoon, but save some energy for souvenir shopping afterwards!
- Spend the evening unwinding in a picturesque Dominican town – final celebratory dinner
OPTIONAL ADD ON:
- Isla Saona Catamaran Snorkel Tour – Set sail on a catamaran adventure from Catuano, near Isla Saona, departing the vibrant southern coast of the Dominican Republic. Stop to swim and snorkel among colorful coral reefs filled with tropical marine life. Lunch on the boat tour
- Say goodbye to new friends and to the beautiful DR. Head to the airport for departure and goodbyes!
NOTE: This itinerary can extend to 8 days. Options include:
Additional day of infrastructure projects in the batey OR a zip line day trip out of Bayahibe at the end of the program.
Educational Focus & Highlights
Build for Change
Work directly on infrastructure projects in Batey communities, building cement homes, latrines, and floors. These service efforts directly impact living conditions for local families.
Discover Coastal Beauty
Explore the stunning coastline of Bayahibe, enjoy the white sand beaches, and experience the vibrant natural environment of the Dominican Republic.
Connect with the Batey
Engage with the local community through educational exchanges and evening discussions. Students form meaningful connections by learning from local youth and sharing experiences.
Dive into the Caribbean
Snorkel in the calm, turquoise waters of Bayahibe and explore the beauty of the Caribbean coast, swimming among marine life and inside coastal caves.
Gallery
Lodging
Participants
Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels or eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is selected to have private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring both a supportive and appropriate environment for our programs.
Chaperones
Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).
Bring Your Classroom to the World
Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.
