Dominikanische Republik » The DREAM Guzmán Ariza

The DREAM Guzmán Ariza

Summer School & Camp Volunteer Program



Program Summary

Our summer camp volunteer program gives students, teachers and qualified individuals the opportunity to work directly in DREAM sponsored schools. Volunteers receive a week of orientation before helping to implement and lead an intensive 4-week summer program designed to provide a quality education, experiential learning and a general support system for disadvantaged and at-risk youth. The summer school and camp was developed for children ages 10 to 16 that are critically in need of academic help, with many being one or more levels behind in school. Most children entering the program can neither read nor write. With many having previously failed in public schools, the camp provides an opportunity for children to learn about their environment, culture and peers. Activities include: tutoring, team building challenges, art projects, sports education, music and dance instruction, science and nature experiments, excursions and educational games, in addition to core academic classes in math, reading, writing and English. Most of the children are discovering and developing respect for their community and themselves for the first time.

Summer camp volunteers work as teachers, teacher trainers, counselors, and area instructors in the camp. Volunteers work side by side with Dominican staff in a group effort that crosses language and cultural barriers to promote the exchange of ideas, strategies and methods in teaching and activities. Please see our FAQs for more information.

Dates

The summer camp program runs from June 26 to July 29th, 2011. Volunteers must commit to the entire 5-week program. Apply Today!

Requirements

Must be 18 at the start of camp, have Spanish language skills, and have experience teaching or working with children.

Spanish Language Proficiency

Spanish fluency is not mandatory, but intermediate to advanced Spanish skills are required. Spanish proficiency is a tremendous asset and native speakers, especially those of Dominican or Haitian background, are encouraged to apply. All applicants will have a portion of their interview in Spanish, and level of proficiency will be used to determine available placements. All classes are taught in Spanish and it is your main communication tool with the children, so we highly encourage you to take classes and brush up on your Spanish skills as much as possible before arriving in the Dominican Republic.

Cost

The cost is $1,800 per volunteer, which covers one week of training, program excursions, accommodations, 3 meals a day during the work week (Sunday dinner though Friday lunch), drinking water, pick up/drop off from the Puerto Plata airport (up to 48 hours before the start of camp and 48 hours after the end of camp), oversight, and program costs. This fee is waived for experienced certified teachers, and reduced to half for returning volunteers.

Application Process

To apply as a summer camp volunteer, please download the summer camp application. If you have participated in the camp before, you can fill out the application for returning volunteers. The application deadline is March 31, 2011.

Mail completed applications along with the $40 application fee and 3 letters of recommendations by March 31, 2011 to:

The DREAM Project,
35 Thasha Lane, Unit A-8
Essex Junction, VT 05452

Applications can also be faxed to the DREAM office at 815-550-1727, or scanned and emailed to info@dominicandream.org. All applications must be completed in full or they will not be reviewed! Letters of recommendation can be sent separately or included in the application.

To apply as a certified teacher, please email info@dominicandream.org with your resume, references, and a letter explaining how your experiences in literacy or math will be helpful to students in our program. Please specifically state how you imagine running your class and the instructional practices you will use. If you were a former teacher with the DREAM Project, please follow the same application procedure, but write your letter on why you would like to return and what you hope to achieve during the program. Certified teachers do not have to complete the formal PDF application.

http://www.dominicandream.org/scoverview.html

Mission



The Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring (DREAM) Project is a US 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides quality education for children born into poverty in rural areas and small communities of the Dominican Republic by combining volunteerism, international awareness and community involvement into a sustainable support system.

We fulfill our mission by:
• Organizing and operating summer camps, youth groups, preschools, and training facilities;
• Providing Dominican and international volunteers to teach in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories;
• Training and employing local teachers and administrators;
• Building classrooms, computer labs, libraries, science labs, and sport recreation areas;
• Securing books, school supplies, and educational materials for the classrooms;
• Working in partnership with the Dominican Government, the United Nations, the U.S. Peace Corps, USAID, non-governmental organizations, universities, and high schools throughout the world.

We are sustained through the generous contribution of time, talent, funds, materials and supplies from individuals, foundations, businesses and governments.