July 9: Miami International Airport Hotel
If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, one of your leaders will meet you at the hotel and stay overnight with the group. We will send you an email two weeks prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation and instructions on how to meet your leader.
July 10: Departure Day, Miami to Dominica
Group Meeting:
At 4:00 AM, meet your leader and fellow students at the American Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Miami International Airport (MIA). This is the official start of your Putney program!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on American Airlines flight #1341 departing Miami (MIA) at 7:00 AM on July 10, arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) at 9:38 AM local time. The group will continue on from San Juan (SJU) on LIAT flight #561 departing at 2:00 PM and arriving in Dominica (DOM), at 3:45 PM local time (8 hours, 45 minutes en route).
July 10 – 16: Bense
Spend your first full day exploring Bense, getting to know your group, and participating in an in-depth orientation discussing life in Dominica, your project village, and group dynamics. Introduce yourselves to the community during a welcoming party hosted by the Village Council. Get to know the community through your service projects, afternoon activities, and individual projects. Interview a centenarian about her life in Bense and the surrounding hamlets, create a map of the village, or learn to cook a traditional Dominican meal. Actively engage in your experience and enjoy getting to know both your Putney and Dominican peers.
July 17: Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Stay at a rainforest mountain lodge on the edge of Morne Trois Pitons National Park. With the help of knowledgeable Dominican guides, trek into the mountains to the world’s second largest boiling lake. Cool off and relax after your hike in the stunningly beautiful waterfalls of Titou Gorge, then return to the lodge for a home-cooked meal. The following day, snorkel in the pristine waters of Champagne Bay before returning to Bense.
July 18–23: Bense
Continue work on community service projects and begin to hone and complete your individual project.
July 24: Return Day, Dominica to Miami
Group Flight:
The group will fly on LIAT flight #560 departing Dominica (DOM), at 10:45 AM local time on July 24, arriving in San Juan (SJU) at 12:30 PM local time. The group will continue on from San Juan (SJU) on American Airlines flight #2605 departing at 3:55 PM local time, returning to the International Arrivals Area of Miami International Airport (MIA) at 6:41 PM on July 24 (8 hours en route).
July 24: Miami International Airport Hotel
One of your trip leaders will stay overnight with the group. If you have reserved and paid for a hotel room, we will send you an email two weeks prior to departure with details about the hotel reservation.