8th Grade Dual-Language
Capstone Trip to the Dominican Republic

Every student deserves the opportunity to turn classroom learning into real-world impact.

Help remove financial barriers, foster global citizenship, and fund a transformative 8-day culture-and-service experience for students at Northwood and Edgewood Middle Schools.

D112 Dual Language Program Mission: Academic Excellence & Global Citizenship

The District 112 Dual-Language Program creates a bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learning community. The 8th Grade Dual Language Capstone Culture and Service Travel Experience is the ultimate culmination of their multi-year effort.

The trip is open to all D112 8th Graders. Students immerse themselves in the land and culture of the Dominican Republic—living, working, and touring side-by-side with residents in their native Spanish language to understand community challenges and contribute to sustainable solutions.

The 112 Education Foundation, as part of its mission to enrich educational opportunities for students in D112, supports the DR Capstone program, helping to ensure every eligible student can participate, regardless of financial circumstances.

Real-World Impact: What Our Students Will Do

The DR Capstone trip blends active service learning with environmental stewardship and cultural adventure. (Activities are tailored to local conditions at the time of travel.)

Environmental Stewardship & Education

• Visit an environmental institute designed for post-secondary students.
• Participate directly in reforestation and sustainable agriculture projects.
• Tour protected nature reserves and study local ecosystems.
• Snorkel in tropical lagoons while learning about and supporting mangrove restoration.

Hands-On Community Service

• Fabricate bricks used to build safe, efficient, wood-burning stoves for rural families in need.
• Plant and maintain local community vegetable gardens.
• Tour a local school, interact directly with Dominican peers, and assist with painting, cleaning, or light construction projects.

Cultural Exchange & Exploration

• Explore historic downtown Santo Domingo with a professional local guide.
• Visit small, locally-owned craft businesses to learn about local entrepreneurship.
• Experience team-building through guided whitewater rafting.

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