Dominican Republic 2017
OFFICIAL TRAVEL DATES HAVE BEEN SET
JULY 26- AUG 2 (2.28.17)
Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming trip to Dominican Republic.
Start saving your summer money!
Parent Meeting in Fall, Thursday, August-25 @ 6pm in HS AUDITORIUM.. then Down payment of $350 will be due in September for commitment.
VAMOS A......
DOMICANA REPUBLICA!!!
We will be traveling through INTERACT Travel Company. They are a very reliable company. I have personally traveled on their program in the past. 3 TRIPS.
Here is their official website:
Interact Travel Official Website
Here is the full online QUESTION booklet:
Be sure to read it in full before you make ANY commitments!
http://www.interact-travel.com/frames_main.html
Here is what they payment schedule WILL MOSTLY LOOK LIKE.- I will update and make it official in August 2016
You CAN pay all at once, or chunks at a time! This is just to keep things consistent-easy- more obtainable.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO : MV SPANISH CLUB
*Parents ---- only allowed if student numbers permit.
add a $300 total fee for single bed/ double room occupancy* can be paid in increments or whole.
Student fee- $2190 (+ ziplineing optional $110, includes lunch, waterfall fee , zip, and tip)
Averages outs to $273.75/ day 8 days 7 nights.
Adult Fee 2190 +350 = 2540 (+ ziplineing optional $110, includes lunch, waterfall fee , zip, and tip)
There are fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of these trips.
Currently there is a fall food fundraiser, ButterBraids before Easter, and Yankee Candles before mothers day.
In the Fall before the trip I will have a meeting and information about Passports. If you do not currently own a passport you will need to get one. I will help talk you though what you need to do, and where you need to go. But do plan $110 for the passport, and $10 for pictures.
These will need to be ordered by the end of December 2016! In order to make sure we get them, have them and no kinks.
Dominican CULTURE MEETINGS
The purpose of these AM culture meetings, are for YOU to have more background knowledge about the people, culture, places, and expectations of the trip this summer. These meetings are created to help make your experience and trip MORE enjoyable in every way.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER- The more you know… the more in control you are.
PLEASE take these meetings seriously, and with all efforts be here-
I’ve gone out of my way- to plan, organize, and be here early JUST FOR YOU.
You just not showing up is a huge sign of disrespect towards me, and my time and energy in planning this trip for all of you. If you have a prior engagement and cannot make a specific meeting, just communicate please, and you and I can chat about the information at another time. All of this information is very valuable to you for this trip.
All meetings will take place in Señora's room at 7:40 AM!
BARTERING! ;
March 23 (NO SCHOOL,no meeting)
March 30- Food- what they eat & possible samples from Señora
April 6- Culture/ who they are/ how they roll/ values attitudes/ customs
April 13- Day 3 Modern Zone and Boca Chica day 4- chocolate plantation
Day 5-baseball & Ni Rahu Taino Cave for a guided eco-historical tour
April 20- Language- useful phrases, differences in dominican spanish
April 27- no meeting- No senora
May 4- Don’t forgets!- health, Safety (buddy system!), expectations
May 11- ROOM-Mate Checklist-- Clothes & packing
May 18 (seniors I realize this is after you graduate, but please try to make it and let me know if you can’t so I can get you the info)- Day 7- day 6- ziplining- Isla Saona, questions, final reminders,
*parents and chaperones are welcome if they so choose, or have the time. I will not be holding separate meetings with them to cover these topics. You can get extra copies of info from your students. Make it dinner conversation. See how well they listened:)
THE TRIP!!!:
Below it is a MICROSOFT WORD doc. , so its at the bottom here as a downloadable file.
Testimonials from Parents ON the previous trips...
The Spanish trips that Jen plans for the students to go on are amazing. I was thrilled as parent to also be able to participate in the trip. It is a great experience for any parent to able to share that with their child. Definitely encourage your student to go even if they say their "friends" are not going on the trip. It is so worth watching these kids come out of their shell and open up in front of the others. It is a great chance for kids and parents to try new foods and experience a different culture. The memories they make on this trip is worth the price tag that goes with it. Without a doubt I would encourage all students to go on the trip. I will never forget all the great times and laughs I had while in Mexico with a fantastic group of people. Those memories are priceless. I am already looking forward to the next trip!!
Anonymous
The last trip in July, 2015 was a hit from the git go! We learned so much about this country we visited. From the beautiful scenery, to the different cultures, even picking up a few Spanish words! To falling in love with the ever grateful orphanage children, to overcoming my fear of heights climbing the ancient ruins, and getting out of my comfort zone swimming in the cenote, and laughing til I cried with my roommate nearly every day and getting to know so many others and just having a good time with the other chaperones. Carol you were so sweet and helpful on so many levels.
Did I mention I tried alligator? The opportunities are endless on these trips, everyone encourages the students and adults to try new things and its about getting along and making memories...and memories we made!!! I encourage every student and/or parent to go at least once. It is a privilege and can teach you and your child so much! I am so glad I was able to go on this trip with my daughter. It was worth every cent!!!
Vicki Fortman
Testimonials from Former students, if you're trying to decide!
The trip really allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and feel comfortable using Spanish in the real world. I might have been quiet in class, but the trip allowed me to use what I have learned and put it to the test! The trips are a blast! Senora does a great job of lining up fun activities. I made so many memories on the last trip and would love to go again! If you are questioning yourself on whether to go, go! Traveling is the best kind of money spent and it is a great way to open your eyes to the surrounding countries!!- Kristi Goedken
The Spanish trip is an amazing experience you won't want to miss out on! I would always recommend traveling when you get the chance, but this trip is especially well-planned and life-altering. Not only did I have the opportunity to check some items off my bucket list, I also got to see the true growth I had made with my Spanish. It's an amazing feeling to be able to communicate to others in a language other than your native one, and it's completely rewarding to practice it in another country. I'd encourage all Spanish students to go to truly test their Spanish and make some spectacular discoveries(both Spanish-related and not)!- Shaylyn Trenkamp
TRIP MEETING POWERPOINTS:
CULTURE- how do they roll?