TRAVEL GUIDE

EMERGENCY NUMBERS SCORE U.S. OFFICE: 423-894-7111

SCORE DOMINICAN OFFICE (MTC) 809-526-1320

DOMINICAN COORDINATOR Giovanny Valdez: 809-875-0074

DOMINICAN HEADQUARTERS: SCORE International’s headquarters and main complex in the Dominican Republic is located in the town of Juan Dolio. It is on the southern shore of the island, about 20 minutes east of Las Americas International Airport.

WEATHER: On average, temperatures are in the 80’s and 90’s with high humidity. August is usually the warmest month, and December is usually the coolest.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE COUNTRY The D.R. shares the island with the country of Haiti. It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and . Nearly 80% of the country’s 49,000 sq. km. is covered with mountains, but some 20 different topographical areas exist in the country. About 2.5 million of the country’s 10 million residents live in the capital, . Over 10% of the population is of Haitian descent. Roman Catholicism is the country’s official religion and about 85% of the people profess this. About half of the population is believed to be involved in occult practices. Average annual income is $5,000 per person.

PASSPORT INFO Passports are now REQUIRED for all U.S. citizens traveling to the Dominican Republic!! You need to apply at your local post office to obtain a passport. The cost is about $120 and it is good for 10 years. Before the trip you will need to make a photocopy of your passport and carry it with you in a different suitcase in case you lose your passport. Passports must be valid at least 90 days after the date of travel. PASSPORT CARDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

INSURANCE SCORE includes insurance in the cost of your trip. Insurance coverage is provided by Faith Ventures. Each trip participant will be covered for $10,000 emergency accident medical expense, $10,000 emergency sickness medical expense and $500 emergency dental expense among other benefits. Each participant will receive an individual insurance card with information how to contact Faith Ventures.

Remember to check with your airlines for baggage fees. Dominican Republic LUGGAGE GUIDE

LUGGAGE AND PACKING MONEY Airlines are constantly changing and updating Once you arrive at the airport in Santo Domingo, you their policies concerning luggage. Many now have will need to purchase a $10 Visitor’s Card. The currency restrictions on weight and may also impose fees for in the Dominican is Pesos. The group leader will let you checked bags. Please check with your airline company know when and where you may exchange money. It is for up to date information concerning luggage and fees. best to exchange small amounts at a time as you cannot SCORE International is not responsible for baggage fees. exchange back into dollars once you have pesos. Bring small bills with you. It is hard to break $20 bills and Suggested Items to pack: if you find a place that takes U.S. money, they will give 1. Power bars, granola bars, or crackers you change in Dominican money. Do not bring personal 2. Water bottle or travelers checks, they are hard to cash! Catalina 3. Beach towel, sunscreen Island and all other activities (food distribution, 4. Bug repellent Barcelo, Argentine BBQ, etc,) must be paid in U.S. 5. Hand sanitizer dollars only! 6. Alarm clock 7. Earplugs WI FI AND INTERNET 8. Small first aid kit We suggest that one person brings a laptop they can use 9. Passport, and a copy of your passport. to log on to Facebook so they can communicate with 10. Please get to the airport 2 hours in advance. family members back home. There is no wireless internet 11. Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on bag in connection at the complex. There is one connector for case your luggage is delayed or lost. groups to share. This connection is only to be used by group leaders to contact home when necessary and to report the day’s activities. You will not be able to use your MINISTRY ITEMS cell phone unless you have a international plan. Don’t You will need to bring any crafts or supplies needed for buy U.S. phone cards, they will not work there. We have a your ministry. We suggest you pack them in suitcases phone at the SCORE Complex that you can use. and make sure your bag doesn’t weigh over 50 lbs. SPECIAL FOOD NEEDS LAUNDRY If you have any special food needs, you will need to bring Please do not plan on doing laundry. Bring enough your special food items with you to supplement any clothes to last for your entire trip. Athletic teams will meals you are not able to eat. Plenty of fruit and salad have their uniforms only washed after each game. will be provided at meals. Storage is available; however, our staff is not available to prepare special meals for individuals. A microwave is available for you to use if needed. Dominican Republic DRESS CODE & GUIDELINES

CLOTHING GENERAL INFO AND GUIDELINES We ask that each person would help us to stay above • Be prepared to be very flexible. Plans will change daily!! reproach in this area. What may not be a problem in the USA can be identified as a problem in this culture. • Be on time every time. Each night the next day’s What is appropriate in the U.S. may not be appropriate schedule will be posted. there. Please do not offend or hurt the testimony of your group by wearing inappropriate clothes. The following • Stay together at all times. Never leave the group standards are strictly enforced. without speaking to your group leader. Concerning Ladies: • Stay with groups of at least 4 at all times. Two-piece bathing suits will not be allowed even with a shirt worn over the suit. No Tankinis please. If one piece is not available, shorts and a dark t-shirt are acceptable. • Everyone must be in the complex by 9:00 pm. Plan on wearing a modest dress or skirt (top of the knee) and modest top (no tank tops, spaghetti straps or racer • Do not give out money or candy or toys to ANYONE back syles.) to church. Pants, capris or shorts (top of the unless specifically told to do so by your SCORE knee) may be worn at times of ministry and at SCORE representative. This can be very dangerous if done in the and partnering facilities. No short shorts or spaghetti wrong manner. strap tank tops are allowed at any time. Modest, sleeveless shirts are OK. Bare midriffs are not allowed. • Any Spanish that you can practice or learn before you When traveling on a sports team you will be allowed to come will be a big bonus. wear athletic shorts for the event only, please change when returned to MTC or partnering facilities. • Be prepared to share your testimony at any time.

Concerning Men: Pants, collared shirts and shoes are • Look for God to do something amazing in your life on required for Sunday church. Shorts and t-shirts may be this trip! worn for ministry. No shorts or t-shirts allowed when visiting churches. No sandals or t-shirts may be worn for church ministry. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts are to be worn except for athletic events or around the pool or to the beach. At no time are pants, or your bathing suit, to be worn low enough to expose your underwear. Shorts may be worn to do work projects. Guys must wear shirts around the SCORE MTC except around the pool. Dominican Republic MINISTRY & LEISURE

Ministry Opportunities Leisure Opportunities Here is just a sample listing of ministry Here are your choices for leisure activities. Opportunities available: Please bring U.S. dollars to pay for these activities.

Vacation Bible Schools (bring your own supplies) Sightseeing in Santo Domingo ($5) There are many historical things to see in Santo Do- mingo such as: The First Church of the New World, The Puppet Shows National Pantheon where political leaders are buried, The Fort, Columbus Lighthouse, and the Columbus Sports Games and Clinics House.

Musical Presentations Snorkeling at Catalina Island ($60) This is one of our most popular activities. Groups take a Skits and Dramas 45 minute bus ride to La Romana and then a 30 minute boat ride to Catalina Island where they can snorkel, swim, or just relax. The beach is pristine and the water Mime Presentations is crystal clear.

Painting Projects (supplies cost extra) White Water Rafting ($70) Travel north from Santo Domingo to Jarabacoa Construction Work (supplies cost extra) for this exciting adventure. Groups will enjoy great rafting as well as seeing parts of the island most tourists miss. Street Evangelism Argentine Barbeque ($20) Orphanage Work This is a special meal provided by our national pastors. Meal includes steak, pork, chicken, salad, potatoes, Evangelistic Campaigns dessert and drink. Make reservations for your group. The proceeds support our national pastors and church Medical/Dental Teams planting ministry.

Horseback Riding ($10 an hour) Tract Distribution DayPass to the Barcelo Resort ($40) Food Distribution ($15 to feed one family) Shopping in the “Straw Market” Back-Yard Bible Clubs Dominican Republic SUGGESTED DONATIONS

Your group can decide to pick a category from this list Sheets and towels for our facility and collect items from your school or church prior to Many of you write us to ask if there are items that your going on the trip, however, please be aware that you will group could bring to help our ministry. Below is a list of need to carry these items in your suitcases. Airlines do items that we currently need at the SCORE Complex: charge for extra luggage so keep this in mind. THANK YOU! 1) White towels and washcloths are needed. If you could help us with the project it would be greatly appre- SUGGESTED DONATED ITEMS: ciated. We would like Standard size towels and regular This is a listing of items that would be helpful if your size washcloths. Please do not get the really large bath group would like to bring anything to donate to the towels as they are too bulky for the washer and dryer. SCORE Ministry, orphanage or sugar cane villages. Any- thing is helpful and you can concentrate on one group or 2) White sheets and pillow cases, mattress and pillow a variety of different groups. It is up to you! protectors are equally needed. The size we need are for twin beds, cotton/polyester blend. PERSONAL HYGIENE: • Shampoo, conditioner We do appreciate any donations that help us maintain • Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash our facility in the Dominican. • Deodorant, soap, lotion • Combs, brushes, hair ornaments SUGGESTED DONATED MEDICAL SUPPLIES MUST NOT BE PAST EXPIRATION DATE BABY NEEDS: • Antibiotic Ointment • Disposable diapers, wet wipes • Tylenol (adult or children’s), Advil • Diaper rash ointment • Zantac • Baby shampoo • Pepto-Bismol tablets • Powdered formula • Anti fungal cream • Equate Tussin CF MISCELLANEOUS: • Equate Tussin DM • Books written in Spanish • Equate Daytime Cold/Flu Capsules • Children’s Clothes • Equate Allergy Relief 24 hr. pills • Children’s toys • Glucosamine and Chondrotin complex-triple strength • Baseball equipment • Adult vitamins • Colorful Stickers, Stationery • Children’s chewable Vitamins • Infant vitamin drops SCHOOL SUPPLIES: • Prenatal vitamins • Notebook paper • Iron • Pencils, pens, erasers • Pregnancy kits • Crayons, markers, colored pencils • Reading glasses • Rulers, notepads • Any strength prescription glasses • Folders with pockets

CLEANING SUPPLIES: • Dish washing gloves - All sizes. • Plastic hand held scrub brushes, cleaning rags • 16-24 oz. spray bottles. Dominican Republic LODGING FACILITIES

SCORE MISSIONARY TRAINING CENTER (MTC) SCORE Missionary Training Center God has blessed SCORE with a beautiful complex in the Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic Dominican Republic. The Missionary Training Center is located in the town of Juan Dolio, only one block from the beach. Juan Dolio is on the southern coastline close to San Pedro de Marcoris. All rooms are air conditioned and have a private bathroom. Metro House METRO HOUSE Metro Country Club Metro House is located in the Metro Country Club area Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic near the golf course. This house has 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 half bath, and can sleep 26 people comfortably. It has a TV room with a pull-out sofa and a pool in the back yard. The metro house is also only minutes away from our SCORE Missionary Training Hodelpa Garden Suites Center in Juan Dolio. Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic

GARDEN SUITES Hodelpa Garden Suites, formerly known as Embassy Suites is located in Juan Dolio. The resort has a meeting room and a pool area. It is only minutes away from our SCORE Missionary Training Center. Most rooms come with two queen size beds and a pull-out sofa. Located near the golf course.

AIRPORT CODE FOR SANTO DOMINGO SDQ SCORE International

NOTE: If you are staying in Juan Dolio at the SCORE Mailing Address: MTC/Metro House/Garden Suites - fly into Santo P.O. Box 9994 Domingo (SDQ) Chattanooga, TN 37412 For anyone staying and serving in Constanza - fly into Santiago (STI) Phone: 423.894.7111 Office SCORE will provide ground transportation for your 423.894.7303 Fax group. Once you arrive at the airport, there will be a SCORE representative waiting outside the baggage Email: claim area with a sign. [email protected] SCORE MTC ADDRESS Score International 15km Blvd. Website: Juan Dolio, San Pedro de Macoris, www.scoreintl.org Dominican Republic SCORE DOMINICAN OFFICE (MTC) 809-526-1320