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memories for a lifetime

Trip to the Capital

OVERVIEW

Discovery, Education and Conservation of Marine & Animal Wildlife in Jamaica

Volunteer alongside conservationists to help preserve several UNESCO-designated  World Heritage Sites and their unique ecosystems. There will be opportunities for you to see the world-famous sites such as “The Underwater City of Port Royal” that have been featured in many popular films such as Pirates of the Caribbean.

Learn how the ocean can be protected with governmental, organizational and community action. Immerse in the natural beauty of this island of Jamaica as you explore hidden beaches and snorkel in crystal clear waters. 

Get ready to go outside of your comfort zone with high-adventure activities, such as ziplining, scuba diving, and snorkeling. View reefs filled with brilliant fish and marine life. Help local NGOs conserve and protect Jamaica’s marine and native wildlife.

 

Highlights

Batey Life Daily Itinerary

Dominican Republic

Working in the Bateyesis an intense service and learning experience. Students will contribute to the ongoing community development project in San Pedro de Macoris. Our work here consists of infrastructure rehabilitation, agricultural work with local farmers, health initiatives,and education projects with local children. When not working hard on service projects, youwill have the opportunity to relax onwhite sand beaches,catch the beat of Dominican daily life, and enjoy this Caribbean paradise.

Los bateyes are traditionally communities of sugarcane workers and their families, and are among the most impoverished areas of the country. Many people in these regionslack access to some of the most basic human rights, including accessto cleanwater, adequate nutrition,
decent housing, basic education, electricity and other infrastructure — issueswhich are exacerbated by unfairwages and systemicracism. Most people living in bateyes areHaitian or of Haitian descent, and there iscurrently a heated debate surrounding immigration and immigrant rightsin the Dominican Republic. In 2013, the Dominican courtsruled in favor of a retroactive lawthatwould effectively strip an estimated 250,000Haitian-Dominicans of their Dominican citizenship. Since then, due partly to international pressure, the government has passed naturalization and regularization plansto allowfor documentation of many people affected by the 2013 ruling. Youwill learn more about the effects of documentation on human rightsthroughout the course of this program.

Working Within this context, our projects in the bateyes include home improvement, infrastructure projects, and education projects where we work with local elementary schools to provide supplemental education. Our primary project in our partner community is home improvements. Offbeat Travel began working with these communities in 2012 through our partnership with ASCALA, a local human rights non-profit. The community has stated that home improvements and latrine construction are the top priority, for both safety and health reasons. 

Explore the ongoing challenges facing the bateyes, barracks originally built for migrant sugar cane workers, and now settled as permanent housing for families and entire communities, typically with substandard living conditions. Get to know the community and contribute to ongoing infrastructure service projects such as building and repairing homes or supporting local agriculture and education initiatives. Take a break from service and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Bayahibe Where you’ll get to swim and relax. 

Day 1| Welcome to the Dominican Republic!

Arrive at 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 volunteer center in San Pedro de Macoris and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your experience, and an introduction to the local culture. Have a hot, local dinner and get sleep for a big day tomorrow.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Spend the next three daysworking alongside our partnercommunity on infrastructure projects designed to increase the standard of living in the batey. Projectsinclude the construction ofcement homeswhich could consist of digging foundation, mixing cement, laying cinder blocks, plastering and/or painting depending onwhich stage the project isin. Other projectsinclude building latrines,cementing floors, and educational exchangeswith local youth (pending Covid).

After returning to the base studentswill have the chance to shower, before having dinner onsite. After dinnerwewould have our evening discussions, guestspeakers, and/or documentary showing.

Overnight: Volunteer Center, San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

Wake up early and board the busto Bayahibe; a beautifulcoastal townwithwhite sand beaches and turquoisewaters. Take a catamaran tour of Isla Saona,stopping along theway to snorkel and enjoy various beaches. Spend the evening relaxing in this quaint Dominican town

Overnight: Hotel Bayahibe, Dominican Republic

Say goodbye to your newfriends 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.

 

ProgramIncludes:

– 6 nights of accommodation
– Two FOC chaperones
– All meals all days
– All transportation
– Offbeat Travel full-time international and local guides
– All activities as detailed in your itinerary
– Single point ofcontact from Offbeat Travel forsupport leading up to the program
– Offbeat Travel 24-hour emergency support throughout the program
– All airport taxes and departure fees
– All fees,community service donations, and guide tips

Beyond the BeachDaily Itinerary

Dominican Republic

Working in the Bateyesis an intense service and learning experience. Students will contribute to the ongoing community development project in San Pedro de Macoris. Our work here consists of infrastructure rehabilitation, agricultural work with local farmers, health initiatives,and education projects with local children. When not working hard on service projects, youwill have the opportunity to relax onwhite sand beaches,catch the beat of Dominican daily life, and enjoy this Caribbean paradise.

Los bateyes are traditionally communities of sugarcane workers and their families, and are among the most impoverished areas of the country. Many people in these regionslack access to some of the most basic human rights, including accessto cleanwater, adequate nutrition,
decent housing, basic education, electricity and other infrastructure — issueswhich are exacerbated by unfairwages and systemicracism. Most people living in bateyes areHaitian or of Haitian descent, and there iscurrently a heated debate surrounding immigration and immigrant rightsin the Dominican Republic. In 2013, the Dominican courtsruled in favor of a retroactive lawthatwould effectively strip an estimated 250,000Haitian-Dominicans of their Dominican citizenship. Since then, due partly to international pressure, the government has passed naturalization and regularization plansto allowfor documentation of many people affected by the 2013 ruling. Youwill learn more about the effects of documentation on human rightsthroughout the course of this program.

Working Within this context, our projects in the bateyes include home improvement, infrastructure projects, and education projects where we work with local elementary schools to provide supplemental education. Our primary project in our partner community is home improvements. Offbeat Travel began working with these communities in 2012 through our partnership with ASCALA, a local human rights non-profit. The community has stated that home improvements and latrine construction are the top priority, for both safety and health reasons. 

Explore the ongoing challenges facing the bateyes, barracks originally built for migrant sugar cane workers, and now settled as permanent housing for families and entire communities, typically with substandard living conditions. Get to know the community and contribute to ongoing infrastructure service projects such as building and repairing homes or supporting local agriculture and education initiatives. Take a break from service and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Bayahibe Where you’ll get to swim and relax. 

Arrival Day | Welcome to the Dominican Republic!

Arrive into Santo Domingo and spend your first night in the Colonial Zone, a historic walled quarter of the city with famed food and music. Take a guided walking tour or wander on your own with some recommendations from our team – this is a great introduction to Dominican culture and hot island weather. Bienvenidos! 

Drive to Jarabacoa and settle into your eco-lodge nestled in the heart of the “Dominican Alps”. Jarabacoa is known as“the land of eternal spring” because of its temperate climate and fertile land. A great portion of the agriculture of the Dominican Republic finds its home here. In this region,we partner with local communities on projects addressingwater access and the environment. After a typical Dominican lunch at your eco lodge,we will head to one of these communities to work alongside community members on the construction of an aqueduct, eco-cooking stoves, or a natural black-water treatment system. Then head back to your lodge for dinner and stargazing. 

Eat breakfast at the lodge and head back to the community to continue work on your previous day’s project. After a morning of service you will also have the chance to meet some of the beneficiaries of the project. We Will arrange for you to have lunch and a cafecito with one of the families,which will provide you a unique lens into the daily life of the community and help make meaningful cross-cultural connections. Return to finish your project in the afternoon before heading to the Baiguate or Jimenoa Waterfall For Swimming and relaxing. 

After breakfast head off on an adventure-packed day. Drive toward the north coast of the Dominican Republic, an area known for its majesticcoast and gorgeous beaches. Stop along theway to take advantage of 27 Charcos, a collection ofwaterfallsthat you can jump,slide, and rappel down.Have lunch near thewaterfalls before continuing your journey to the beach town of Cabarete, famousforwindsurfing. Settle into your eco lodge right on the beach for dinner and a peaceful evening. 

After breakfast, embark on a full day catamaran excursion with beachside lunch and an opportunity to go snorkeling. After a full day of fun in the sun, return to your hotel for dinner on your own. 

Choose your own adventure. Take awindsurfing course, explore the nearby city of Puerto Plata including a visit to the famed Brugal rum factory, orsimply sleep in and enjoy the beach. 

Say goodbye to your newfriends and to the beautiful DR. Your Program Leaderswill take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbye and reflect on your adventure. 

Say goodbye to your newfriends and to the beautiful DR. Your Program Leaderswill take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbye and reflect on your adventure. 

Itinerary Includes:

– Offbeat Travel local guide on call throughout.
– All community service materials, and donations
– All meals 
– All transportation 
– Each night of accommodation
– All activities as detailed in your itinerary 

Puerto Rico

SEAS: Sustaining the Ecosystem and Sealife

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