Service missions for youth•dominican republic July 8-18, 2022
— The most rewarding 10 days of your life
Changing lives through service over 10 days.
Service Missions For Youth will be in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic July 8-18, 2022. During the trip, the group will be building 2 homes for families that are in desperate need.
In partnership with the Dominican Starfish Foundation, a non-profit foundation that has built over 113 homes over the last 4 years. Each participant ages 15-19 will embark on a spiritually enlightening, physically challenging, entertaining, and totally uplifting journey to learn, serve, grow, and lead.
— The hardest fun you will ever have
Come to serve....Leave to lead
The purpose behind the humanitarian projects we do are to better help the children of this day and age participate in service and to help them be better off in the world and life to come. The program was created and built to help others progress, both those that are serving and those that are being served. This trip allows you to serve unselfishly to others for a period of 10 days.
The program is a delicate balance of service, spiritual activities and wholesome recreational activities and has been well thought out and planned with help from volunteers with local family ties to the Dominican Republic.
Service Missions For Youth is not a formal organization but a group of volunteers. The trip is full of opportunities to help, love and bless those of the Dominican Republic
The trip price includes travel from Miami, transportation in the D.R., food, housing, activities and supplies to build 2 homes while in the country.
Spiritual Growth
Although not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, members of the church will provide an "EFY" type of experience with daily devotionals, firesides, scripture study, and prayer. Each youth will participate in teaching to further their testimony.
Time For Fun
In addition to building two homes, there will be a lot of time for fun including beach time! Several excursions will be planned in and around the area to create not only a spiritual experience, but a fun one with memories to last a lifetime.
— The trip of a lifetime
The Itinery
Day 1: Travel to the Dominican Republic
Day 2: Welcome, introductions, tour of projects and build preparation.
Day 3: Attend church, free time, delivery of local food baskets, evening fireside.
Day 4: Help complete ongoing home project #1. Afternoon activity. FHE with local members of the Church.
Day 5: Finish build, turn keys over to family for home #1
Day 5: Start build of home #2
Day 6: Activity Day, 27 Waterfalls
Day 7: Continue build of home #2, delivery of local school supplies, additional food drops.
Day 8: Morning activity, finish home #2
Day 9: Attend church, free time, delivery of local food baskets, farewell fireside.
Day 10: Travel Home
Living among the 3rd world but in a private resort with amenities
Villas with meeting space, swimming pools, activity areas
WE KNOW YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!
AND WE HAVE ANSWERS!
QUESTION: What ages are allowed?
ANSWER: The program is for youth ages 15-19 years of age. Recent return missionaries and parents welcome upon availability and approval.
QUESTION: What humanitarian projects will we be doing?
ANSWER: We will be building 2 homes and your fees cover funds needed for all supplies and labor. Since a home takes 5 weeks to build, we will be assisting in finishing home #1 and starting home #2.
QUESTION: What will the resort be like?
ANSWER: The resort is an all-inclusive resort. You will be staying in a villa by gender with an adult couple to supervise all activities and sleeping arrangements. Each villa has it's own private pool and the resort has and common area for activities. Villas will be separated by youth boys and girls and youth will not be allowed in the villas of the opposite sex.
QUESTION: what are the activities?
ANSWER: There are days specified as activity days including trips to the beach, an exclusive beach island, waterfalls, and more. There will be personal time each day for youth to relax or play games together in the common areas.
QUESTION: what do my fees cover?
ANSWER: Airfare from Florida, accommodations, food, activities, and materials/labor for building 2 homes in the D.R.
QUESTION: What city will we be serving
ANSWER: We will be staying in the town of Puerto Plata and serving the surrounding cities.
ANSWER: Smart phones can be a big safety hazard due to theft in the DR. All youth leaders and adult leaders will have cell phones, however youth will only be allowed to use phones to take photos. All communications and activities will be posted on the Facebook page so parents can follow the journey. Data and wifi will not be allowed to provide an immersive experience. (special permission may be permitted)
QUESTION: What is expected?
ANSWER: Participants are required to participate in all activities. Adult supervision will be provided for all youth to ensure safety. Individuals are encourage to actively participate in devotionals and firesides but are not required. This includes delivering talks, sharing testimonies, and attending church. As well as physically challenging activities. Such as hikes, swimming and group sports/fitness activities. Exemptions are permitted
QUESTION: WIll the covid vaccine be required
ANSWER: As of right now Dominican Republic does not require the vaccine. Participants will need to take a covid test to enter the country and masks will be required on flights. This is subject to change based on the CDC and local/international requirements. Updates will be emailed as information changes.
For more information contact Erik Sorenson: esorenson@me.com