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VISIONS Service Adventures ~ Summer Community Service Programs
Location: International
VISIONS Service Adventures
Program Description:
Since 1989, VISIONS has set the standard for domestic and international community service programs.
VISIONS summer community service programs for teens and middle school students, blend ambitious volunteer work, cultural immersion and adventure. Days of close camaraderie within a cross-cultural context have a rhythm and substance that push you to tap into your potential as you, the community, and other students work toward common goals.
You will know the people whose lives you have impacted, and will return home a more confident global citizen with genuine appreciation for our multi-cultural world.
VISIONS mixes hands-on service, intercultural living, active exploration, and pure fun. Students and staff live together as a small group in the heart of a host community. We work and socialize with residents.
While service is the thread running through the program, ample time to play and wind down are woven into the days and weeks. Because you are learning naturally and dynamically on so many levels, the potential rewards are significant.
While each location differs distinctly from another, all VISIONS programs share firm underpinnings.
- Long-standing ties at program sites and daily immersion in local life
- A natural sense of place and deeper understanding of the culture
- Careful on-site preparation
- Immersion in community life
- The teaching of technical skills applied successfully to ambitious, collaborative projects
- High caliber leaders
Overall rating:
Average: 4.9 (15 votes)
Host: VISIONS Service Adventures ~ Community Service Programs
Qualifications: High School Programs (14 - 18). Middle School Programs (11 - 14). Custom Programs - any age.
Program Dates / Length: 4-week programs in July. 3-week programs in August. Year-round Custom Programs.
Housing: Group Housing in a Community Building
Cost / Availability of Financial Aid: Price depends on program length. Financial aid is available.
Credit Awarded: Community Service Credits (85 - 100)
VISIONS Service Adventures
Mailing Address:
321 East Main Street
Suite 426
Bozeman, Montana 59715
Phone: 406.551.4423 / 800.813.9283
E-mail: info@VisionsServiceAdventures.com
Website: www.VisionsServiceAdventures.com
Reviews:
"Ecuador trip changed our son's view of the world. He came home recognizing his ability and commitment to, literally and figuratively, build bridges. Great trip, great staff, great experience!"
Parent, 2008
"After discovering VISIONS online, I decided to look further into the program. I emailed the company and received a thoughtful response the very next day, answering every question I had. VISIONS was always happy to clear up any questions or concerns that were on my mind. The entire process leading up to the summer, which seemed complicated at first, was made incredibly easy and simple.
My summer with VISIONS was one of the best of my life, no question about it. Like most of the other participants, I went into the program knowing no one. I arrived at the program location and was met by the friendliest staff members. They even knew my name before I knew theirs! Over the next month I bonded with them in ways I had never imagined before. The staff wasn’t there merely to supervise and make sure we weren’t getting into trouble. They made the experience so much better than I had ever imagined, taking every opportunity to get to know each of us better and engaging us in extra activities on Tortola. I’ll never forget the time we went on a weekend excursion (one of many) about halfway through the experience. I was fascinated with the place. The program director must have noticed my fascination, because after everyone finished looking around and was sitting around talking, she came over to tell me that it was alright if we stayed longer so I could look around more. She even offered to explore with me, and for the next half an hour or so we explored the area. This is just one of many moments that showed the level of commitment the staff members had to ensuring that all of us were having the time of our lives.
I was changed by my experience on Tortola with VISIONS. I met so many incredible people, learned about the global community, what it means to be a citizen of this world, about myself and about others. I will never, no matter how many adventures I go on in my lifetime, forget my time on Tortola.
VISIONS is a gem! Thank you, thank you, thank you, VISIONS!"
Participant, 2008
"This program was one of the best experiences of my life. I gained a greater feeling for who I am, and really got a chance to grow. I felt like I learned a lot of life long lessons that will surely come in handy in the future. Also, I really enjoyed interacting with the native people in both Ecuador and the Galapagos, which really helped me improve my Spanish. In addition, I really enjoyed helping out so many people that were very much in need of help, and it always made me feel good to leave them with a smile on their face. I have taken so much away from this trip and it was one of the best summers of my life."
Participant, 2008
"Our daughter, quite a reserved person actually, researched the options for international community service after deciding on her own that she needed to be able to help others in order to learn more about herself. The construction aspect of VISIONS sold her on this program over others as it provided something truly tangent. We were able as parents to easily do our due diligence on the program, its reputation and find and speak to others in our area who have sent their own children in past years. The one month program she went on went by so fast but the experiences we learned later that came her way created a sea-change in her worldview. Friends that she made amongst the counselors and the other participants are life-long treasures. As parents, we are so happy for our daughter and so proud of her at the same time. Thank you, VISIONS."
Parent, 2008
"My son Chris attended the Visions program in Mississippi in the summer of 2007. He left a kid and came back a self-assured young teen. I could not believe the change in him after a period of 4 weeks. Hard to believe, but he really matured in that short time!
He loved his experience and still talks about it often. It gave him a chance to be part of something bigger and contribute back. The staff and community were awesome and made him feel welcome, appreciated and loved. This summer, I am sending another son to Vietnam and look forwards to having him learn, grow and experience an adventure that will stay with him throughout his lifetime."
Parent, 2007
"My daughter had the time of her life in Costa Rica and we were impressed with the quality of the staff and activities. She returned more mature and self-confident and with the realiziation that she can make a difference. "
Parent, 2008
"All three of our children participated in the Visions program during three different summers. Montana, Dominican Republic and Tortolla. All had extraordinary experiences and came back more grown up and self confident. We were particularly impressed with the written reports provided by the group leaders about our children. They were very insightful and could only have been created by someone who took the time to understand the participants. This included strengths and areas which could use some improvement. This is a wonderful program run by caring and professional people. I would highly recommend Visions for your children.
Scarsdale New York"
Parent, 2008
"I went to Guadeloupe this summer. The experience was amazing beyond words. I made so many friends and learned so much about myself and others. The staff and participants alike were amazing. I made friends with all of them, as well as with many people in the community. I will never forget this excperience or anything I learned from it. I want to thank everyone who made this experience possible for me, and everyone who participated with me and made it so wonderful. "
Participant, 2008
"Visions was a great experience for me. I learned so much and made fantastic friends. Many of which I still keep in touch with. Visions was did a great job of having us do community service work as well as learning about Costa Rican culture. We worked a lot but also played a lot. This made the experience that much more impactful. I really enjoyed myself and would recommend it to anyone. The one aspect of Visions that I didn't enjoy as much was Communidad. The idea of communidad is fantastic but i don't believe it was executed in the best way possible. They really wanted us to open up and share things with everyone but i know for me, being forced to do that isn't the most sucessful way for me to do so. I think that with a few small changes communidad could be just as sucessful and meaningful as the rest of the program. Visions was definatly the right choice for me and I hope to do another program with them in the future. "
Participant, 2008
"The trip was really amazing. I went to Dominica, which is really an amazing country. It's so small and tightly knit, I found it amazing. It is a totally different place than the US, but that was half the fun!
The scenery was picturesque, the locals were welcoming, and my group members were fun. I got to not only be close to the the people in the Visions group, but also to the locals. I'm still in contact with them all. As for the community service, it was rigorous, but I had a lot of fun working everyday and making a difference. We built some things and also painted a school and two bus stops, so we had a lot on our schedule, but we finished it all. There weren't many down sides of the trip, and I can't seem to recall anything that I couldn't deal with. Altogether, I'd say it was a successful trip."
Participant, 2008
"Visions was the best summer of my life. I got so close with every single person on the trip and also with all of the community members. My group leaders were amazing and i still keep in touch. The gratification i got out of this trip was unparalleled and the stories will never be forgotten. It is a great way to spend your summer and a very memorable one as well. I even still communicate with the natives. I would do this trip again in a second. "
Participant, 2008
"Five stars does not yet come close to the ranking that my experience with Visions truly deserves. I am not even sure that Thirty stars would fully express my feelings for this particular program. I had the extreme fortune of traveling to Alaska with the Visions program in '08, and not a day passes where I don't either think of a friend or memory from my trip. Visions had a unique way of integrating the culture and lifestyles of both it's participants, and host village into everyone's personal routine. Typically a shy and hesitant person with new people or trips, Visions brought out the best in me; and since the time my trip ended, I've tried to live every day as the person I was during my Visions program. There is no greater example of a "win-win" situation than a Visions Service Adventure. The lessons, values, friendships, memories, and knowledge that one takes away from Visions are as priceless as they are significant in one's lifetime. By the time I had left Alaska, I had met one of my best friends: a person I consider to be a brother to myself, had participated in various, crucial advancements in poverty-stricken villages, and bettered myself as both an individual and as a young man. The staff were among the most patient, caring, considerate, and affable people I have ever had the good fortune of spending time with in my entire life. In conclusion, the only possible way my personal trip could be improved was in length...4 weeks...I would have preferred 4 years. "
Participant, 2008
"I went to Peru with VISIONS in August '08 and I would highly recommend VISIONS for anyone who is looking to do service work abroad. I had a fantastic experience in the Sacred Valley, and the trip taught me a lot about myself and the kind of person and worker I want to become. The staff were excellent-- they not only led us, but by the end of the trip they became our friends. If you choose VISIONS, I would definitely recommend Peru as a site-- if you love it half as much as I did, you'll have a FANTASTIC summer!"
Participant, 2008
"Being apart of Visions was an incredible experience. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to do it two summers in a row. In general, it is very organized, but flexible, and accommodating. The community service is rewarding because you are working directly with the people who you are helping. They don't give busy work and there are many multiple week projects where hard work and determination is needed, but it is not strict or demanding. Visions is able to combine good deeds with learning about the culture. These trips give the participants a new found appreciation for the lives we live in our respective neighborhoods. The program also allows for time to hang out, make new friends, and participate in many events throughout the country/state/island. All in all, this experience is one that I will never forget and is definitely the way to go if you are looking for something to do during the summer because it combines a good time with a profound understanding of our world and the satisfaction of helping underprivileged people. "
Participant, 2008
"After spending three consecutive summers with Visions in three different countries, I want to thank Visions for what it has given me. Sitting here now, in my college dorm room starting a new chapter of life, I find myself constantly reflecting on my experiences with Visions. Visions has definitely helped mold me into the person I am today. I have gained the most intimate friends through Visions and now have friends and memories around the world. The environment Visions programs provide is something I miss dearly throughout the year and cherish very much. You become so close to those around you and to the land around you. Visions has opened my eyes to the vast beauty of this earth and its people. Furthermore, the staff members of Visions make the experience all the more special and challenging. I always became friends with the staff members and loved spending time with them. They are some of the coolest people I’ve met in my life and are truly inspiring beings. What makes Visions so different from any other program is Circle. Circle is a time that I have come to adore and it has changed my way of thinking, reflecting on myself, and expressing my thoughts and feelings to others. I’m a stronger person because of Visions. I’m a more worldly, confident, spiritual, and peaceful person because of Visions. I want to thank every member of the Visions Service Adventures community for their dedication to the program and to the world. I would recommend Visions in a heartbeat. I have gotten many friends to participate in Visions and every single one has loved it. I have even met students in college who have done Visions and have great memories to share. It’s a small world, and Visions definitely opens one’s eyes to that. With each program I have further learned that the world is a community. We are all connected, and it’s guaranteed you will feel connected to yourself and the world after a summer with Visions. I can continue for pages about how Visions has touched my life but it will never satisfy all my thoughts. So, I can sum up all of it in just a few words:
Thank you, for everything.
"
Participant,