Spring break and January, February, June and July are when most teams want to come.  The diocese places a limit on the number of teams it can host during one week.  To get the dates you want, schedule your trip as early as possible and at least six months in advance. 

The diocese often has more than one team in the country at the same time.  Therefore, planning logistics is essential.  At least one month in advance of your arrival, the diocese must receive your flight information – dates of arrival & departure, airline flight number, and a final count on team members.

The diocese has a self-imposed limit of no more than four teams in the country on the same day.  During most of the year this isn't a problem.  To find open dates go to our team calendar at  http://calendar.yahoo.com/bobsnow_2000

Though the chance of a hurricane or another emergency is minimal, the diocese may need to contact worried family members. Therefore, the team leader must forward a list of emergency numbers at least one week in advance of a team's arrival.   

We recommend groups of 20 Christians or less.  Here is why.  The most economical buses carry 26 passengers or less.  Some seats may be needed for luggage or supplies.  Furthermore, building relationships between team members and Dominicans is an important part of the experience.  Teams with more than 20 visitors can overwhelm a local church, and impact the cultural experience for all those involved.

Things to bring:  A prayer book in English, a bible, sun screen, bug repellent, a flash light with extra batteries, a good hat, cool cloths, a personal water bottle, swimming suit, and beach sandals.

Some even more important things to bring: A servant’s heart; a compassionate spirit; a desire to learn about and accept the culture which you are visiting; a big smile; a good sense of humor; ingenuity; flexibility; a good set of ears to listen and an open-mind to understand; and patience with the ability to accept the Caribbean’s laid-back lifestyle.

Make a photocopy of the identification page of your passport or birth certificate.  Once you arrive at your destination in the DR, place all original documents in a safe and secure place.  Carry this photocopy with you at all times.  A lost passport or birth certificate will delay your departure from the Dominican Republic.  If you do lose your documents, inform the Diocesan Office immediately, so that we can begin the replacement process.  If you inform us on a weekend, we will have to wait until Monday to begin the process.

In addition to the team leader, each group should select one or more spiritual leaders.  These individuals will work with the Dominican priest and lay leader in planning worship and prayer opportunities.  As a minimum, each work day should start with a prayer involving the local community of faith and your team.  We encourage groups to include a bible reading and short reflections with the visiting team taking the lead one day and Dominicans doing so the next day.  This decision rests with the spiritual leaders.

As a minimum, every team member should have an up-to-date tetanus shot.  Most state health departments offer advice on what inoculations are recommended for foreign countries.  Ask your health department or personal doctor for recommendations.

Try to recruit a medical person (doctor, nurse, EMT) as a team members.  The DR has many very good doctors in private practice.  But if something unfortunate does happen, the team and people back home will be comforted in knowing one of “their own” is consulting with Dominican doctors.   Have a medical doctor advise you on what should be included in your team first-aid kit.

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink, or at least from water taps.  Drink only bottled water and drink plenty of it.  Use bottled water when you are brushing your teeth.

You can drink coffee prepared in the barrios, because the water is boiled.  Be careful of ice tea or other drinks, unless you know for sure bottled water was used in its preparation.  Ice which is purchased or made with bottled water is okay.  Ice in tourist restaurants is okay.

Why is there a waste basket next to every toilet?  In many third-world countries, including the DR, the sanitary systems can not properly handle paper or other items placed in a toilet.  Doing so will probably plug up the toilet causing inconvenience to you and others.  Place toilet paper in the waste basket.

There are many street food vendors in the DR.  Though many serve quality food, food handling regulations aren’t as stringent as they are in the USA.  Even though the food might look good, don’t chance it.  Eat only at restaurants approved by your Dominican hosts or in tourist area restaurants.

Fruit in the DR is among the best in the world.  However, you should soak the fruit for 20 minutes in a gallon of water containing 1 capful of Clorox before eating it.

Some beaches are contaminated.  Don’t go bare foot at the beach, or for that matter anywhere in the country.

Rivers and stream may be contaminated.  To avoid health problems, don’t go swimming in a river or stream that is not fast-moving.

Wear sun screen and bug repellent.

This is a third-world country where poverty can lead to desperate acts by people who are trying to take care of the families.  Therefore, always travel in groups of three or more.  If possible, it is best to have a Dominican accompany your group.  Unfortunately, North Americans are desired targets for petty thefts.

Put your wallet, cash or other valuables in your front pocket or in a security pouch under your cloths.  Don’t put valuables or passports in a fanny pack.

Change money only at banks, tourist hotels, or Casas de Cambio (Money Change Houses.)  Don’t change money in the street. 

Don’t take money out of your billfold when walking down the street.

Dominicans know the culture and their home area.  Listen to their advice. 

Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do in New York City, Los Angles, Chicago or any other large city.

Be careful, but don’t let fear come between you and developing Dominican friendship.

As Christians it is important that visitors respect the customs of the culture in which they are working.  The way visitors dress says a lot about who they are and to Dominicans may imply their moral character.  Therefore, it is important that teams adhere to the customary dress of most Dominicans.

Shorts for men and women are not appropriate at worship services.  Most men do not wear ties to church.  Jeans or slacks for men and women are acceptable.

Conduct of Your Team

Visiting groups may be the USA, but they are also representing the Dominican Episcopal Church.  The actions of visiting teams will have an impact on how Dominicans view the Anglican Church.   Therefore, teams need to respect these rules which unfortunately are based on past experiences.

Please do not drink alcohol or smoke on diocesan property or in the street in front of our institutions.  Please do not drink alcohol during work breaks.  This rule does not pertain to free time away from the work site.  Bible school team members are ask to not smoke during breaks, and to confine their smoking to their free time away from the project site.

People of the opposite sex who are sharing the same room must be married or members of the same family.

Though relationships between team members and Dominicans are encouraged, inappropriate kissing, touching, etc. will not be tolerated.  Dominicans engaged in these activities will not be allowed on church property until after the team leaves, and any team member engaged in this sort of activity will not be allowed on the work site.

The diocesan team coordinator and local priest in consultation with the team leader may ask a team member's to leave the work site.

Team members must be Christians, though they need not be members of the Anglican Church.  Non-Anglicans will be expected to attend all worship services, though taking communion will remain a matter of conscience and desire.  Non-Anglicans should be informed of this position prior to becoming a team member and insured that the Dominican Church is eager to have those from other denominations participate with us.