The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and England are just some of the many expeditions offered by Pinewood during the 2023-2024 school year. 

   The Dominican Republic service-learning trip goes from March 29, 2024 to April 6, 2024, and is led by Director of Student Life Kyle Riches. On the trip, students will visit two communities in the mountains in the Cordillera Central and in Batey. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to infrastructure projects that will benefit the communities. 

  For instance, they will build aqueducts for communities with no running water. Additionally, there will be a chance to visit many of the stunning beaches. 

   “I think it just provides a unique opportunity for our students to really get to know a different culture, different people, different beliefs and really get out of their comfort zone,” Riches said.

   The literary trip to England is another available trip for high schoolers and goes from June 4, 2024 to June 13, 2024. English teacher Holly Phillips will lead this trip. On this trip, students are able to explore the literary and cultural aspects in England. Students will be immersed in the literary lives of Harry Potter, Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes. 

   Through visiting Harry Potter World, going to the Round Table from the famous Knights of the Round Table, and a Jack the Ripper tour, students will see the literary wonders in England. 

   “My favorite part would be Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare grew up and lived,” Phillips said. “It is so beautiful and idyllic and there’s a theater where you can see his plays every night of the week.”

   Another travel opportunity open is a Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica from March 29, 2024 to April 6, 2024. Their trip leader is Olivia Bradley, the Department Head of World Languages. Students on this trip will experience what it is like to take Spanish classes in a new community, and also partake in several adventures. 

   “There will be adventurous excursions like whitewater rafting, yoga and surfing lessons, cooking classes and then obviously we’ll be adventuring through the various national parks that Costa Rica has to offer,” Bradley said.

   Usually only three trips are permitted for each year, but this school year Pinewood has allowed for nine trips due to people wanting to travel after the COVID-19 pandemic.  The information about these trips are in an email from Riches titled “2023-24 Student Travel Opportunities”. 

   Travel destinations include the Junior High Service-Learning Trip to Puerto Rico, the Chinese Culture Tour to Hong Kong, and the Scientific Research Expedition to Madagascar.

   “Families are getting interested in traveling again,” Riches said. “It just kind of culminated into this blossoming new thing where we have a lot of people lead in [many] different trips this year.”