Join us for three weeks of community service in a small rural village tucked into the volcanic hills of Dominica’s windward coast. Organize a summer arts program for kids, join local workers to complete small-scale construction projects, snorkel in crystal clear ocean water among schools of tropical fish, and explore the Victorian capital of Roseau.
- Dates:
- July 7, 2012 - July 28, 2012
- Eligibility:
- Students completing grades 9-12
- Focus:
- Community Service
- Typical Group:
- 16-18 Students, 2 Leaders
- Duration:
- 3 week(s)
Overview
Based in a small village on the island’s northeastern coast, we work alongside our Dominican hosts on a variety of service projects. On weekdays, we rise early to take advantage of the cooler morning hours, and work into the afternoon. While projects are determined by the town council in the spring based on the community’s needs at the time, past projects have included building an infirmary and making repairs to the primary school, helping to repave local roads, conducting town and beach clean ups, and completing small agricultural and environmental projects. Each year we help run an arts-based enrichment program for local grade school children. In addition, you select an independent project to explore some aspect of Dominican culture, or to pursue a particular service project you are interested in. Learn to cook a favorite local dish, organize a village sports tournament, interview community members about the history of the village and create a photo portfolio of local scenes, or repair the soccer goals at the town field. Afternoons often include pick-up games of basketball, soccer, or beach volleyball, and swimming with local kids. Participants can expect to complete approximately 60 hours of community service work.
Students cool off in the refreshing spray of Trafalgar falls.
We make our home in a house or community building close to the center of the village, which our hosts kindly make available for our use. Accommodations are basic: we use sleeping bags and sleeping pads on the floor and have separate sleeping space for girls and boys. While there are simple showers and running water, both water and electricity are intermittent. Our home has kitchen facilities and we work with local women to prepare meals for the group.
Known as “the nature isle of the Caribbean,” Dominica is a striking land of towering volcanic peaks, extensive rain forests, cool freshwater lakes and streams, windblown surf, hot springs, mud baths, and undisturbed black and white sand beaches. On weekends, we take advantage of this extraordinarily diverse geography. Hike to majestic Trafalgar Falls to bathe in the mineral pools, snorkel above the bubbling geothermal vents of Champagne Beach, and browse the colorful marketplaces of Portsmouth and Roseau.
At the end of our trip, we head off on an overnight excursion to a rain forest resort in the mountains. With knowledgeable local guides, we trek into the mountains to the world’s second largest hot springs–Boiling Lake. Cool off and relax after your hike in the stunningly beautiful waterfalls of Titou Gorge.
“I gained the greatest sense of accomplishment from seeing the projects that we’d been working on for weeks finally completed. It was so satisfying to see the wall I’d helped dig a trench for and that I’d laid cement for standing by the side of the road, and to see the town’s Resource Center fully painted. It felt great to know that I had helped improve the village in some way. The people in our village don’t always have running water or electricity but they were some of the happiest people I’ve met. They’ve taught me that material things aren’t necessary to be happy and that relationships with others are what’s truly important.”
-Daphnee Warren, Princeton Day School, Princeton, NJ
Highlights
- Run an arts-based enrichment program for Dominican grade school children, then head down to cool off and swim in a nearby waterfall in the late afternoon.
- Celebrate the successful completion of a project by making s’mores on the beach with local friends.
- Snorkel above vibrant coral reefs and relax on Dominica’s black sand beaches.
- Dance to the rhythms of Calypso, Soca, and Zouk music at a lively local fishing festival.
- Soak in natural hot springs after a group hike through the mountainous rainforest to visit the spectacular Boiling Lake.
What to Expect
For most of each weekday, we are actively involved in community service work. This work, as well as afternoon and weekend activities, can be physically demanding and you can expect to spend most of each day outside. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and everyone lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. Since we live in our village as the local people do, accommodations are very simple with separate space for boys and girls, and basic bathroom facilities. You should come to the program with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life.
At Putney we take pride in our reputation for careful, thorough planning and attention to detail. The descriptions of our programs are based on our experiences in previous summers and our plans for this summer. It is inevitable that some things described here will not happen exactly as presented. To get the most out of the Putney experience, participants need to be flexible in responding to unforeseen situations, and creative in taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. We expect Putney participants to share responsibility for the success of their experience.
Fees
Tuition: $4,690
Itinerary
This program begins and ends at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
Departure • July 7. Join your group for a month of community service in a small village on the island of Dominica. Your group flight departs from JFK Airport in New York where you meet one of your program leaders and depart with the group for Dominica.
The Northern Coast • Upon arrival in Dominica, we travel by van to our host community, nestled into the lush, tropical hills overlooking the ocean. We spend the first day settling into our new home, getting to know one another, and joining in an in-depth orientation to Dominican life, our projects, and our goals for the summer. The village is our base for three weeks as we work alongside community members on a variety of projects in the town and surrounding area.
The group celebrates the completion of their hike to Boiling Lake.
Weekend Excursions • On weekends we explore Dominica’s fabulously diverse regions and rich culture. Swim under the breathtaking Trafalgar Falls, or soak in natural hot springs. Dive into the crystal clear pools of the Rosalie River, and explore the history and culture of the Carib Territory.
Tropical Rainforest • Head off on an overnight excursion to a rainforest resort in the mountains. With knowledgeable local guides, trek into the mountains to the world’s second largest hot springs–Boiling Lake. Cool off and relax after your hike in the stunningly beautiful waterfalls of Titou Gorge.
“The program could not have been better! It was an unbelievable experience and we are deeply grateful that our son was able to participate and gained so much from it. He came home more mature and confident, with many new friendships, an appreciation for all he has in his life, a broader world view…the list is endless!”
- Gerald Sanchez and Tracy Nichols, Miami Beach, FL
Return • July 28. Fly with the group and one of your program leaders from Dominica to JFK Airport in New York, and continue on to your final destination.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Destination
Background • A lush, mountainous, English-speaking island, Dominica lies between Guadeloupe and Martinique in the eastern Caribbean. This diverse nation reflects a variety of cultural influences including Carib Indian, French, British, and African. Long a stronghold of the Carib Indians, Dominica was colonized by the French in the mid 1600s, but passed under British rule in 1763. The Commonwealth of Dominica gained complete independence from Great Britain in 1978. The tropical rainforest, rivers, and waterfalls of the island’s rugged terrain are home to abundant wildlife, including unique native birds, sea turtles, wild pigs, and reptiles. The hot climate and fertile land provide an ideal location for fruit crops, and most islanders rely on some form of agricultural production for their living.
Dominica has hundreds of hidden beaches along its spectacular coastline.
Population • This tiny island nation is home to approximately 75,000 people, including the last remaining indigenous population of Carib Indians–the original inhabitants of the Caribbean.
Language • Dominica is an English-speaking island, although a French-based creole called Patois developed as a result of early French colonization, and has worked its way into the vernacular of the Dominican people.
Climate • The climate of Dominica is tropical, with high humidity and temperatures in the mid to high 80s during the day. Refreshing ocean breezes and afternoon rain showers result in cooler evening temperatures.
Local paintings and crafts displayed at the market in Roseau.
Cuisine • Dominican food is influenced by both British practicality and Cajun flair. Our accommodations have kitchen facilities and we often combine familiar staples like pasta, sandwiches, fresh bread, and fried chicken with local specialties including curried vegetables, a wide variety of seafood, and beef or goat seasoned with Cajun spices. Mangoes, cinnamon, papayas, yams, coconuts, bananas, plantains, and citrus crops are all grown around our host community and are readily available.
“From this program, I’ve become more independent and globally aware. Running the camp for the students in our village was an amazing experience. I also loved the hike to Boiling Lake, the swimming, and the day trips to do community service in places outside of our village.”
- Martha Biddle, Miss Porter’s School, Katonah, NY
Currency • Dominica’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). An ATM card is the most convenient way to access cash.
Voltage • Dominica uses Type D and Type G plugs. Voltage is 230V/50Hz. There is access to electricity in our host community, though it is sometimes limited.
The Community Service Dominica program is directed by Karen Phillips. If you have questions, are interested in receiving more detailed information, or would like to talk further about the program, please get in touch!
Karen Phillips
Karen Phillips: St. Lawrence University, B.A., French. Karen caught the travel bug in high school while on a music tour through Europe, and later studied abroad in Switzerland, France, and Senegal. She has led Putney’s Language Learning and Community Service programs in France and Senegal, and coordinates programs in Europe, Africa, the West Indies, and Indonesia. Her interests include rock climbing, painting, singing, and adventure racing.
How To Apply
Step 1: Log On.
If you are new to Putney Student Travel, visit our Online Application.
If you are a Putney Student Travel alumni family, use your existing account information to Log In.
Step 2: Hold A Space In The Program.
You can hold a space in a program by completing the Online Application Form and providing the $700 Application Deposit by Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card through our secure online system or by sending a check to our office. Our admissions staff is also available to take credit card information over the phone. We will hold a space in a program for a reasonable time, pending completion of the full application process. See Step 3.
After March 15, to hold a space in a program an application must be accompanied by full payment made by check or wire transfer and the signed Agreement Form.
Step 3: Complete the Application Process.
Before we can make a final admissions decision, an application must be complete. In addition to the Application Form and Application Deposit described above, a complete application includes:
- Applicant Statement
- Two Teacher References
- Signed Agreement Form
These documents are available as part of our Online Application. We review a completed application within a few days, and notify families of our admissions decision by e-mail.
For a full description of eligibility, admissions policies, and terms of payment, please visit our Terms & Conditions.
