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Dominican Republic

Deerfield Travel Programs

House Building with Cambiando Vidas

A team of Deerfield students will travel to the Dominican Republic to build a house for a family with the organization Cambiando Vidas. When work begins, the house will be one cinderblock high. On day five, the house will be finished — complete with running water and electricity. Throughout the week, students will have time in the evenings to bond as a group and reflect on the meaning of service and global citizenship. On the final night, the team will share the first dinner in the house with the family and the 100+ members of the community who worked on the house. Students will spend the last night of the trip in Santo Domingo exploring this historic city, and considering ways in which they hope to bring the spirit of Cambiando Vidas back home as they begin their summer. Deerfield has been building houses with Cambiando Vidas since 2009.

Program Notes

  • This is an “unplugged” trip where students will not have access to cell phones or internet for the duration of their time in the DR.
  • Students can expect to stay in hotels. Typically, they will have breakfast at the hotel; lunch will be shared with community members at the worksite, and dinner will be out at local restaurants.
  • Students and faculty leaders will update families and friends at home through our Notes From The Field blog. Check out previous year’s posts below for a better understanding of the travel experience, and a video that highlights the experience.
  • Families are responsible for transportation from JFK airport to the student’s final destination at the end of the trip.

Program Dates

May 26 – June 3

Program Eligibility

This trip is open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students with a preference towards those with a demonstrated interest in service. Financial aid is available to all qualifying students.

Faculty Trip Leaders

  • Sheryl Koyama

approx. trip cost: TBD

2025 Preliminary Itinerary

*This itinerary is subject to change.

This 8-day itinerary begins with travel to a hotel near JFK Airport on Day 1 to prepare for the trip. On Day 2, the group flies to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and then travels to San Juan de la Maguana, making stops to explore the island’s geography, history, and culture. From Days 2 to 6, participants will work on building a house and forming connections with the local community, while also learning about Dominican culture and history.

On Day 7, the group returns to Santo Domingo for a day of exploration in this historic city, capped off with a final team dinner. The trip concludes on Day 8 with travel back to JFK Airport.

**Families are responsible for transportation from the JFK airport to the student’s final destination at the end of the trip.

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