to - Fields of Growth

Jamaica RVC
Information
Packet:
INFO FOR PARENTS & PARTICIPANTS
The purpose of this detailed and informative
packet is to give volunteers and their parents
all the information they need about the
Jamaica Rugby Volunteer Corp (RVC). We want
you to feel comfortable with the level of safety
precautions, thought and organization put into
this program. Please review this packet and
email us at [email protected] if you have
any questions.
Kevin Dugan, Founder & Director
Fast Facts to answer FAQs:
 Fields of Growth was founded in 2010 by former Notre Dame student-athlete, and
former NCAA coach, Kevin Dugan. A native of Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ, Dugan now lives
between the USA, Uganda and Jamaica, where he directs the Athlete Volunteer Corps
(AVC) programs.
 Over 250 volunteers have traveled to Jamaica and Uganda with our Athlete Volunteer
Corps programs. We offer the Volunteer Corps program to student-athletes from
multiple sports, however we understand the rare and special bond rugby players feel
towards each other. We are working hard to ensure our program maintains the sportspecific feeling of camaraderie that is unique to rugby.
 Your skill level and experience is not important. What you do need is a strong work
ethic, a passion for Rugby and a heart for service.
 Our programs are typically attended by High School & College students, with strong
participation also coming from recent college graduates. You need to at least be in high
school to participate in the program.
 Many volunteers join our RVC groups as individuals, some come with a friend or a group
of teammates. You should feel free to sign up on your own or to come with friends.
Parents with a passion for Rugby are also welcome to join us. In the past some parents
have stayed in nearby hotels or resorts while their children were serving in the RVC.
 We stay in dorm style housing on the safe, private grounds of St. George’s College.
 We work with the rugby coaches and PE departments at St. George’s College and
Dupont Primary School in Kingston, however we also support local charities in both
Jamaica and Uganda. We have built and fund a school for 275 children in Uganda; we do
more than coach sports.
 The cost of our one week Jamaica program is $2,250. When you sign up, you will be sent
a deposit invoice of $500, and another invoice for the balance as your trip draws closer.
This includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, meals, service activities, on the ground
transport and traveler’s health insurance, it does not include any checked baggage fees
you might have. (Most volunteers pay approximately $50 in checked baggage fees.)
This experience will include activities that fulfill Fields of Growth’s three core commitments:
1. Education: You will receive readings in advance of your trip. You will have guided reflections
and learning experiences throughout the trip. This will be an enriching, educational, serviceleadership experience.
2. Service to Others: You will participate in service activities that enable you to love and uplift
others in need. (Home visits to struggling families and elderly shut-ins, visits to abandoned
elderly home and visit to orphanage.)
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3. Growing the Game of Rugby: You will serve as a volunteer coach throughout the week at our
Youth Rugby Camps which are held in two locations, St. George’s College (High School), and
Dupont Primary School (Middle School).
*Culture & Fun: In addition to Coaching, Serving and Learning, we will also be sure to work in
time for some fun and culture (This is part of the experiential learning aspect of the program.)
These activities will include: a visit to Port Royal, the historic rich seaport town that was home
to the real Pirates of the Caribbean; a rural village experience, dancing lessons, and a friendly
soccer match against a local youth team.
COACH
SERVE
LEARN
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Coach. Serve. Learn… and have fun doing it all.
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Contacts and communication on the ground in Jamaica:
When you arrive in Jamaica you will walk off the plane, get your passport stamped with permission to
enter the country, communicate that you are doing charity work and staying at St. George’s Jesuit HS
(details below for paperwork). You will then move to the baggage claim area. Once you get your bags,
you will walk out the one and only exit for arrivals and will not be able to miss our Fields of Growth
team, led by Kevin Dugan. There is only 1 door you can walk out of – Our staff will be waiting for you in
private chartered vehicles. Our staff will have cell phones so you can call home as soon as you get out of
the airport. *Note that it typically takes at least 1 hour to get through the Visa and Customs line. You do
not need to have a Visa in advance. You just need an American Passport. As mentioned, our staff will
have cell phones on them at all times, and you will be able to easily communicate with family back home
via the wireless internet at St. George’s (Note: We don’t want you to be on the phone or internet too
much, we want you immersed in and present to your experience in Jamaica.)
JAMAICA RVC ITINERARY:
DAY 1 – Travel & Arrival Day
07:00 Approximate arrival time of volunteers in Jamaica. You will be greeted by Kevin Dugan, Calbert
Hutchinson & our interns. You can’t miss us when you walk out of the airport (there is just one possible
door for you to walk of out, and we will be there to meet you!)
08:30 Dinner at St. George’s College (This is where we stay & where we run our High School Rugby
programs. We stay in a retreat center with boarding rooms on campus. St. George’s is one of the top
schools in Jamaica.)
09:15 Orientation Meeting
 Welcome & discussion on what is a “Good Life” (Read your reflection packet on the flight.)
 General orientation and overview of rules
10:00 Organize donation bags (Volunteers can go to sleep at any time if they are tired from a long day
of travel.) Volunteers can also shower before bed.
11:30 Lights Out
DAY 2
07:30 Wake-Up call, breakfast
08:30 Meeting to briefly finish organizing donation bags
09:00 Help set up for the High School Rugby Camp
10:00 Active coaching and playing during Rugby camp (Volunteers that are in high school & college will
be encouraged to be player-coaches to help facilitate play and enable Jamaican youth to learn from your
skill level and execution. It is OK if you do not play, or are injured etc. If that is the case, you can coach
and assist wherever needed.)
01:00 Rugby camp session ends, assist with clean-up
01:15 Regroup at the dorm, have lunch & prepare to depart for Lime Cay. Dress like you would if you
were going to the beach; shorts, t-shirt with bathing suit & sandals.
 Pack a backpack with the following:
o Towel
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Water bottle
Snacks (It is a good idea to pack & bring about 7 cliff bars / energy bars with you for the
week.)
o Snorkeling goggles, fiddle sticks, frisbee (We have these here in Jamaica, but if you have
some at home & have room in your bag, feel free to bring them.)
o Change of clothes for after Lime Cay (Boys can just dry off their bathing suit & be good
to go, but women especially should bring an extra pair of shorts & t-shirt in their
backpack. There are private changing rooms in Port Royal when we leave on the boat
that you can change in when we get back from the island.)
02:00 Depart for Lime Cay (You will receive a virtual history and lesson on the real Pirates of the
Caribbean on this excursion. We will explain the good & bad of how Jamaica fit into the history of
western European trade and development in the New World.) What/Where is Lime Cay? Fifteen
minutes by boat from Port Royal is a small, low-lying island cay with one of the most beautiful beaches
in Jamaica. The largest of the many small cays off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay is uninhabitable by
humans. Some of the best snorkeling on the south-east coast of Jamaica can be done around Lime Cay.
05:30 Visit the Jamaica Youth Sports Academy. Introduction to the teams & assist with the end of their
practice.
07:30 Dinner & Reflections at St. George’s, followed by evening showers
10:30 Lights Out
DAY 3
07:30 Wake-Up Call, breakfast
09:00 Help set up for the High School Rugby Camp
10:00 Rugby Camp
01:00 Rugby camp ends, assist with clean-up
01:15 Lunch & Prepare for afternoon activity
02:00 Cultural Activity, Service Activity & Youth Soccer Game
07:30 Dinner & reflections at St. George’s
10:30 Lights Out
***** Laundry day, please turn in any Laundry you want washed before going to bed. It will be ready on
Weds afternoon.
DAY 4
06:30 Wake-Up Call, breakfast
07:30 Rural Community Development Experience. Depart for 9 Mile, At. Anne’s
 2 hour drive into the heart of Jamaica for a day of rural community development & service
 Pack a book bag, snacks and a water bottle. Bring two t-shirts or pinnies to give away.
 Activities include:
o Community Development Meeting & Overview with the Nine Mile United Citizens
Development Association
o Enjoy a locally grown vegetarian lunch
o Community walk to visit elderly shut-ins & deliver care packages
o Community sports activity
o Reflections on the drive home
06:30 Coach at Jamaica Youth Sports Academy Practice
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08:00 Dinner & reflections
10:30 Lights Out
DAY 5
07:00 Wake-Up Call, breakfast
08:00 Set-Up for Jamaica Friendship Games
10:00 Start of Jamaica Friendship Games Match v Jamaica Rugby Team
01:30 Regroup at the dorm, have lunch & prepare for afternoon activity.
03:30 Depart for Jamaica Youth Sports Game Night
04:30 March in a Parade through town led by the Dream Team marching band. You will accompany
the youth Rugby players as guests of honor. The Parade ends at the game field, where there will be an
opening ceremony & playing of the Jamaican National Anthem before the youth Rugby games.
05:00 Coach in the Thursday night games
06:30 Post-game refreshments and dance party with young athletes
08:00 Dinner & reflections
10:00 Lights out
DAY 6
*FYI
No morning showers unless special circumstances demand it. All showers taken in the evening.
08:00 Wake-Up Call, breakfast
10:00 Morning service activity (House make over and park clean-up).
01:30 Regroup at the dorms & depart for afternoon activities (Pack a towel, snack, and a change of
clothes as you will be in the ocean and then having dinner without going home.)
03:30 Surfing lessons and beach time
06:30 Jamaican Style Jerk BBQ Cookout
07:30 Music & Group reflections, a private set of acoustic reggae music with soulful message meant to
inspire you to make your life count to advance the common good as you prepare to depart Jamaica.
09:30 Pack your bags & set aside one outfit for the morning. Leave your bags in the hallway so we can
quickly load the van in the morning. Volunteers are encouraged to leave any unused deodorant, soap,
toothpaste etc. behind so it can be donated to the elderly home we work with.
11:00 Lights Out
DAY 7
05:30 Wake-Up, breakfast
06:00 Depart for the Airport
DONATION BAGS:
It is not mandatory, but most volunteers pack 1-2 checked donation bags to bring with them to Jamaica.
If you have more equipment then what will fit in your checked bags then you will need to leave it at
home, donate it to a local charity or have it shipped to Fields of Growth, 127 Garfield Ave, Avon, NJ
07717, we send sea freight shipments to Jamaica twice a year.
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Rugby Balls (all sizes)
Whistles & miscellaneous coaching aids.
Air pumps for balls
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Cleats (any kind and all sizes). Children’s cleats and sneakers.
Jock Straps with Athletic Cups
Soccer balls & other miscellaneous sports equipment.
Office/School Supplies
Arts & Craft Supplies.
Rugby gear/clothing. Youth and HS Rugby players will love rugby shirts, t-shirts, shorts, socks
etc.
Vital Pre-Trip Check List:
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Passport and a photo copy of your passport
We will purchase your international health insurance. Our staff will have all this information in
the event of an emergency.
Return your waiver of liability, statement of responsibility and social behavior policy. It is easiest
if you scan & email this information to [email protected] – Complete the online form
submitting your Emergency Contact & Health Information
Additional spending money: All of your on the ground expenses are all covered. However you
should bring some additional spending money if you intend to purchase gifts for family and
friends (t-shirts, necklaces, crafts etc.) or just to buy the occasional extra soda or Gatorade. $100
USD should be enough money, but you can also get by with no extra money. You can make
money exchanges at the booth once you pass through customs. You can also use ATM machines
in Jamaica, and our staff will assist you with ATM withdrawals if you need money during your
trip. If you intend to use an ATM card for withdrawal, be sure to let your bank know you are
traveling to Jamaica.
Meals
All of your meals will be covered in the cost of your trip. We provide volunteers with a simple
continental breakfast and lunch. We have a nice dinner each night that we enjoy as a group over
conversations and reflections on the day’s activities.
Emergency Situations
In the event of a medical emergency volunteers would be taken to the University of the West Indies
Hospital in Kingston. Fields of Growth purchases emergency medical insurance for all volunteers.
Any remaining questions or concerns can be directed to [email protected].
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