The annual coral reef expedition is one of our best and always a highlight of the year for our sixth grade students.For the past five years Doulos has partnered with Reef Check Dominican Repulic at the beautiful Playa Fronton on the Samana Peninsula. After learning about coral reefs in science class the sixth grade class spent five days learning from the DR’s leading marine biologist, Rueben Torres.

Classes take place on the sand with the ocean and the reef below as the backdrop. Each class included exploring a different aspect of the reef - coral, plants, fish, plankton, sand.
Through their classes and investgation of reef life students make real connections between the importance of protecting the reef and the many factors that contribute to its destruction.
The samples the students pull from the water and the different fish they identify helps Reef Check to assess the [hopeful] improvement of the reef.

Along with classes and snorkeling students enjoyed rock climbing on the cliffs that make Playa Fronton a natural monument and the only beach of its kind on the island. We always want to leave the beach in better condition than we found it so every trip to Fronton includes a trash pick up.

Although we never want to leave anything behind this time our students left something rather large. As a service project the sixth grade class posted a welcome sign, greeting tourists upon their arrival and advising them how they can care for the reef while they enjoy its beauty.
Our hope at Doulos to continue this partnership with Reef Check for may years to come and that the experience the students walk away with will be a bridge to future involvement