Young Women's Leadership in the Dominican Republic

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Santiago

Depart from the USA and arrive in the Dominican Republic for your ACIS Young Women's Leadership Program. Meet your tour manager at the airport in Santiago and transfer to your hotel before a welcome orientation and dinner. Tonight see the spectacularly illuminated Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración on a hilltop park in the center of the city.

Day 2: Cabarete

A morning bus ride takes you to Luperon for a leadership workshop with Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic animal rescue (DCDR). DCDR was founded in 2013 when a number of friends decided to coordinate their efforts to help the animals on the north coast of the country. Many of the founders had many years of experience working with animals on their own and had seen some improvement in the overall well-being of the dogs and cats they were treating, but wanted to find a way to do more. This workshop will teach you how DCDR was created as a way to help even more animals through everyone working together, gathering support from friends and family, and bringing greater awareness of the extreme need the "Coconut Hounds" and "Coconut Cats" have throughout the island. Enjoy a seaside lunch on the bay before continuing to the Damajagua Waterfalls. Prepare to get wet: You're about to swim, climb, and cascade down falls, ending in the sparkling-clean, aqua-blue pools below! Arrive in Cabarete this evening for a night's rest in your beachside hotel.

Day 3: Cabarete

Start off the day with breakfast at the hotel and perhaps a walk, run or swim at the beach. Then begin your first leadership workshop at the Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring Project (DREAM). DREAM grew from the vision of a group of Dartmouth students looking to make a difference in 1995, and was formally established as a 501(c) nonprofit in 2002. DREAM currently staffs more than 40 Dominicans, four expatriates and numerous volunteers from across the globe, all working together to change the lives of over 6,000 children a year. During this workshop you will see how the project came together and learn what it takes for a female leader to be successful in this field. During your next leadership workshop this afternoon, meet with a program coordinator at Deportes Para La Vida (Sports for Life) to learn about the work she does to foster youth awareness of public health issues and community engagement through outreach, monitoring and evaluation. After, enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with the UNICA Young Women’s Youth Group (YWYG). A shared lunch at DREAM is included today instead of dinner.

Day 4: Cabarete

Today's leadership workshop brings you to the Fundación Ecológica Maguá to meet with Executive Director Irène Crampes and hear about her goals, successes and the continual challenges of working to protect and conserve the environment. You'll get your feet wet with first-hand learning on the importance of coral reefs as you assist with the organization's artificial reef and coral nursery program. Then discover more of the local marine life as you enjoy snorkeling with colorful tropical fish around the reefs in Sosua Bay, said to be some of the best snorkeling in the world. After a buffet lunch featuring traditional Dominican cuisine, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to relax on the beach or perhaps do some souvenir shopping. This evening's highlight is a leisurely boat ride down the Yasica River that concludes at a bonfire dinner on the beach.

Day 5: Santo Domingo

After breakfast, head to your leadership workshop at Rescate Ambar, which has provided emergency medical and rescue assistance to the North Coast of the DR for the last 20 years, preceding 911 services. You'll meet with one of the organization's leaders, Anariel Fernandez, who will share the emotional and physical challenges associated with providing emergency medical services to under-served communities in areas that don't get government support, and also with keeping an NGO (non-governmental organization) afloat in a developing nation. In the afternoon, journey to Santo Domingo, with time this evening to begin exploring the dynamic cultures and neighborhoods of one of the Caribbean's oldest cities.

Day 6: Santo Domingo

During breakfast at the hotel, prepare for this morning's leadership workshop and presentation at Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas (MUDHA). Learn about MUDHA's mission to improve the living conditions of vulnerable communities—especially for Dominican women and children of Hatian descent—while implementing human development programs including health programs, legal assistance, and human rights initiatives. Then students will enjoy a Global Exchange focused on comparative learning and sharing dynamics with students from Anaisas School Drama Group, followed by lunch together. Later spend time exploring the Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo.

Day 7: Santo Domingo

Today's leadership workshop will focus on wildlife, specifically endemic birds, and the ways tourism can have a positive effect on conservation and protection. You'll meet with Kate Wallace of Tody Tours, a living legend in the Dominican Republic who has done much to advance the country's ornithology, bird education, and bird tourism with incredible enthusiasm, passion and energy. Join Kate for an early morning walk through the National Botanical Garden in Santo Domingo for an exchange on her impressions of what it takes to rally international support for creatures who can't speak for themselves, and to make a tangible difference in the defense of nature. After some time for lunch, you'll further explore the city and Dominican culture during an exhilarating "Amazing Race" style Culture Quest activity that tests what you've learned on the trip. Tonight's highlight is a special farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy authentic Dominican fare with your fellow classmates as you recap the previous eight days of amazing and unique leadership learning experiences.

Day 8: Departure

Depart for the USA.