Workteam Experience
 Groups will work on projects at the Young Life camp Pico Escondido, as well as in several communities throughout the country.  Pico Escondido or “Hidden Peak” has been under construction for since 1999 and is currently being used by Young Life DR to host several annual outreach and leadership camps for local Dominican youth and adults.  Camp is still in the early stages of development and there is a great need for more short-term teams to volunteer on various construction and landscaping projects.  Pico is located in the Cordillera Central mountain range, approximately 2 hours drive time from the capital city of Santo Domingo.  Teams fly into either Santo Domingo or nearby Santiago airport.
 Many groups will have the opportunity to work on community based projects.  Every effort will be made to get teams to a local YL club, have them meet ministry staff and leaders and get an up close glimpse of the local ministry in action.
Groups will spend a final day of fun and relaxation before flying out of Santo Domingo the next morning.  For more information on trips to the DR, a history of YLDR and lots of pictures, visit www.picoescondido.com or www.picoescondido.younglife.org

 

2010 Trip Costs:
 8-day trip $690 plus airfare
 9-day trip $730 plus airfare
 10-day trip $770 plus airfare

 

2010 Trip Dates:
Inquire for available dates. 

 

Group size:
 15-40 persons, including leaders.  At times, we schedule more than one group at the same time in the Dominican.  For example, we may have two groups from two different places, comprising a total of 40 persons.  In such cases, you will most likely share evening worship and meeting times, but can retain group autonomy for purposes of discussion, Bible study and question/answer times.  In this scenario groups work, lodge and eat together, but are afforded ample time for individual group fellowship.  You may find this a wonderful help in the area of leadership responsibility.  Along with other group’s trip leaders, you can divide and delegate various leadership roles.  For example, while your group may not have a music/worship leader, another group might.  Together multiple groups can create a more complete experience for your worktrip participants.  If you are scheduled at the same time as another group, you will be put in touch with the other trip leaders beforehand so that you might discuss the sharing of such responsibilities.  The ability to schedule multiple groups greatly benefits our local ministry.

 

For more information concerning ministry in the Dominican Republic or to possibly schedule a trip, please complete our Group Inquiry Form and contact work team coordinator Jeff Tait at tait@intl.younglife.org

Arawak Indians, the original inhabitants of Hispaniola, engaged principally in farming and fishing. They were exploited and literally worked to death by Spanish colonists. Black slaves were imported to take the place of the Arawak laborers.

 

Later, the Spanish migrated from Hispaniola to South America, and for about a century the island was sparsely populated. In 1697, Spain ceded to France the western portion of Hispaniola occupied by French adventurers, now called Haiti. The remaining Spanish portion became the Dominican Republic.

 

The descendents are mostly mestizo (a mixed Spanish, Indian, and black-African ancestry), with 64% living in urban areas. Spanish is the official language, although English is also spoken. A French dialect can be heard along the Haitian frontier. Art, music, and literature developed from both European and African influences. African heritage is most noticeable in the folk culture, particularly through music.

 

The population is 95% Roman Catholic, blended with African religion.