Trip Length: Seven days (Tuesday-Tuesday in the summer | Saturday-Saturday in the spring, fall, and winter)
Trip Cost: $1000 (depending on end of week excursion) + flight
Team Size: Ideal size is ten people or more
When can GO facilitate a team? We facilitate teams year-round
What are the sleeping arrangements like? Each team stays at one of our eight dorm facilities. We have separate dorm space for males and females with bunk beds and large community bathrooms in each.
What do meals look like? All of our meals are prepared by local cooks in your dorm kitchen and we can accommodate most diets and allergies.
If you would like to book a team trip, please email Stateside Teams Coordinator, Lisa Crain, at lcrain@gomin.org. She will confirm and schedule dates with you and start the planning process. She will then connect your team leader with a team coordinator.
COVID-19 Guidelines
In light of the current state of the COVID-19 global pandemic, we have put several guidelines in place to keep our North American, Dominican and Haitian partners safe and healthy. These guidelines are subject to change depending on requirements of the US and Dominican governments, the CDC and WHO.
– Upon arrival, a rapid COVID-19 test may be administered at the Santiago airport by Dominican officials.
– Team members need to bring their own masks and hand sanitizer to carry with them at all times.
– Masks will be worn indoors at all times, except within the team’s own dorm, when only the team is present. If local leaders or GO Kids are visiting, all parties will wear masks and will maintain appropriate distance while sharing meals.
– As always, everyone will use hand-washing/sanitation stations before going through meal lines.
– While sleeping, we recommend that team members alternate beds, to avoid sleeping directly next to fellow team members. This decreases the chance of cross-exposure.
– Vehicles will be for team/facilitator transportation only. Masks should be worn in vehicles, and windows will be kept open to maximize airflow.
– Dorms and vehicles will be sanitized daily.
– A GO Medical staff member will complete an in-person midweek check with team members to ensure no one is exhibiting symptoms.
– In the event that a team member does show symptoms, a GO Medical staff member will be contacted immediately for phone triage. If deemed necessary, the team member will visit the clinic for an in-person assessment. The team member will potentially be immediately tested, rather than awaiting the mandatory test 3 days prior to leaving.
– Per US mandate, all team members will be tested three days prior to traveling home, in order to obtain negative test results and readmittance into the United States.
– Positive test results will warrant quarantine in a GO facility. The team member will receive daily check-ups from GO Medical staff. Team members will not be released for travel until they receive negative PCR test results.
– Our staff is following all CDC requirements to prevent the exposure of COVID-19 and keep our partners safe and healthy.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
GO Community Development
Community development teams typically do two days of community construction projects (painting houses, pouring floors, tying rebar, etc.) and two days of children’s ministry (leading songs, lessons and crafts). Additionally, many teams lead field days, where they bring games, chalk or bubbles and play with kids in a community. Teams taking a Community Development trip typically visit two or more communities and participate in a mix of activities.
GO Church Planting
Church planting teams spend time in a community supporting local leaders as they make disciples, help their church live on mission and develop new leaders. The team will support the work of the local pastor and leaders through children’s and student ministries, discipleship groups, minor construction projects, kids’ clubs, field days and worship events. These initiatives and other projects allow local leaders to clearly communicate The Gospel in their specific context, build relationships between teams and local leaders and support the work of the local church in their community.
GO Medical
Medical teams spend three days helping lead mobile medical clinics alongside our local medical staff. We intentionally serve in church planting communities, so that it can be an effective outreach tool for local pastors. Mobile clinics consist of four stations: Triage, provider assessment, pharmacy and prayer. Team members work in all four areas. Other days are spent exploring other Focused Areas of Ministry, doing service projects and children’s ministry, and serving alongside our Dominican and Haitian local leaders.
GO Sports
Sports teams do not need to be made up of athletes or coaches. Anyone is welcome to join a sports ministry trip. Sports teams spend the week with local leaders at the Leadership Development Complex or in communities around Santiago. Teams can concentrate their time in a specific area of GO Sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer or volleyball, or in English classes or coach/staff development. They can also spend the week learning about the broad scope of GO Sports or serving the community of Tamboril, where the LDC is located. Some teams choose to lead outreach events such as basketball or soccer camps. Sports trips are completely customizable.
