Day 1 :
Arrival in San Juan
- Depart from home:
Relax and enjoy our scheduled flight.
- Upon arrival:
Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us throughout our service-learning tour in Puerto Rico until our final airport departure.
- San Juan:
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital and largest city, sits on the island's Atlantic coast. Its widest beach fronts the Isla Verde resort strip. Cobblestoned Old San Juan features colorful Spanish colonial buildings and 16th-century landmarks including El Morro and La Fortaleza, massive fortresses with sweeping ocean views, as well as the Paseo de la Princesa bayside promenade.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
- Daily Reflection and Group Discussion:
"We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience" - John Dewey
On every evening of the program, we will set time aside to update our Reflection Journal and
share thoughts and impressions that have come to the fore in the course of the day.
Day 2 :
Community Cornerstone: Enrichment & Infrastructure
- On-site orientation:
Many cities have issues regarding blight, affordable housing and homelessness. Additionally, with natural disasters the issue has only gotten worse. There are many issues related to housing and homelessness that still persist in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Working on housing and homelessness is not only a great way to help cities rebuild, but also an important way to learn about the history of cities.
- Projects might include:
-Home rebuilding and construction
-Vacant lot clearing
-Assisting local homeless shelters
- Lunch:
Today we will have lunch at the project site.
- Puerto Rican history:
This afternoon we will embark on a tour exploring Puerto Rico's rich history.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
- Evening discussion:
Tonight, we will discuss the lasting impact of Hurricane Maria. The deadly Category 5 hurricane devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017.
Day 3 :
Community Cornerstone: Enrichment & Infrastructure
- Morning and afternoon:
Continue work on projects we began yesterday.
- Lunch:
Today we will have lunch at the project site.
- Getting to know the community:
This afternoon we will tour the neighborhood, focusing on the needs of the community.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
Day 4 :
Community Cornerstone: Environment & Conservation
- Environmental sustainability projects:
Environmental sustainability is one of the greatest challenges facing the country today. From rising sea levels, to sinking wetlands and bayous to natural disasters, our future is dependent upon responding to and adapting to climate change. Environmental sustainability projects not only have an immense impact on the community, but also provide great educational and learning opportunities for the volunteers.
- Projects may include:
- Working in public green spaces and urban gardens/farms
- Ecosystem restoration
- Conservation and disaster management projects
- Planting trees and rain gardens in flood prone areas
- Lunch:
Today we will have lunch at the project site.
- Afternoon at the beach:
We will have free time on one of Puerto Rico's beautiful beaches this afternoon.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
- Salsa Time!:
The tradition of salsa dancing awaits you! Locals show you how to move to Latin American
rhythms.
Day 5 :
Community Cornerstone: Environment & Conservation
- Morning and afternoon:
Continue work on projects we began yesterday.
- Lunch:
Today we will have lunch at the project site.
- Kayaking tour:
This afternoon we will take a kayaking tour to learn more about Puerto Rico's environment.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group.
Day 6 :
Community Cornerstone: Enrichment & Infrastructure
- Project work conclusion:
Our volunteering will conclude today with a neighborhood revitalization project. We will partner with the community to support continued revitalization and improve neighborhoods.
- Lunch:
Today we will have lunch at the project site.
- Old San Juan:
You will have some free time to explore Old San Juan.
- Dinner in local restaurant:
Enjoy an evening meal with your group on your final evening of your service-learning trip to Puerto Rico.
- Final Reflection and Discussion Session:
This evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and share some of the most significant observations and perspectives that have taken shape during our week of volunteering in Puerto Rico and how these experiences may be most relevant for us all as we return home.
Day 7 :
Departure from San Juan
- Adios:
Our rewarding and enjoyable Service-Learning in Puerto Rico tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.
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