DAY 1

From the moment you step out of the airport in Santo Domingo, the Dominican sun and rhythms welcome you. Each high school volunteer makes a call home before packing up the bus with VISIONS leaders. Two hours later, through parts of the Cordillera Central mountainous area, you arrive in Cotuí—your new home and community.

The rest of the day is spent settling in and starting orientation. Marina, our dinner cook, prepares a delicious meal, and our first Circle meeting builds group connections.

DAY 2

We start with a scavenger hunt that introduces us to the neighborhood and local friends. 

Work begins with learning how to use tools and starting classroom construction, plus a colorful mural at the school. We also launch campamento, our day camp for local kids.

That evening, our community partners host Cena de Bienvenida, a welcome dinner of traditional food and music.

DAYS 3 – 6

Each day, you choose a project site or help with homebase crew, which includes preparing meals, cleaning, and shopping in local markets.

Mid-afternoon, we shift gears to recreation and cultural activities. We swim at Presa de Hatillo, a beautiful lake with a mountain backdrop, learn the basics of salsa and merengue, and fire up cooking workshops, dominoes league, pick-up baseball and soccer games, and much more.

Read about daily life on VISIONS programs.

DAY 7

You and a partner will join in fun activities with a host family, who become friends for the rest of the program. Don’t worry if your Spanish is beginner level—the desire to make connections will be the drive to work through language barriers together. 

“I loved talking with my homestay family and learning what their lives are like. The kids were really fun to be around and I got to chat with them in Spanish.”

DAYS 8 – 10

Projects take shape as we work alongside neighbors, gaining confidence and making visible progress. The days engage us in ways that few cultures can. We enjoy Día de Cotuí, with options like working out at the gym, going to a salon de belleza (beauty parlor) for a haircut or manicure, and checking out local markets. We also host Olimpicos with neighbor kids, swim and go on a ferry ride at our favorite lake, with views of the Cibao mountain region. 

MIDWEEK

We head out for an excursion to the town of San Francisco de Macoris to tour an organic cacao farm and chocolate-making facility. The family farm supplies the global market while also working hard to keep an environmentally sustainable model. An interactive tour lets us see the process up close—and make our own chocolate!

DAYS 11 & 12

We travel to one of the DR’s most striking natural preserves: Los Haitises National Park and La Cueva de la Línea Nature Reserve. We kayak through mangroves, hike jungle trails, and swim in hidden pools where the forest opens to light. 

We spend two nights at a hotel near the National Park and the excursion is a chance to connect with a natural world that depends on preservation for its abundant wildlife and rich ecosystems.

DAY 13

On this last full day in Cotui, we do final touches on the projects, which will continue to serve as a reminder for your Dominican friends of all that you contributed. You will have much to be proud of, and this is a foundation for even more good that you’ll be creating in your life!

That evening, we share a farewell dinner with neighbors and community partners.

DAY 14

It’s time for Juan Dolio beach! Located outside of Santo Domingo, we head out after breakfast, saying goodbye to our local friends. 

Spend the day basking on the white sand beaches, swimming in clear Caribbean waters, checking out souvenir shops, and relishing this last day with our group. That evening we have pizza and hold our last group meeting together. 

DAY 15

At the airport, leaders bid farewell as students depart. The program ends, but the skills, friendships and perspective gained carry forward. 

 Hasta la próxima!