VISIONS Service Adventures 2019

WELCOME TO VISIONS

We believe that stepping outside of ourselves and encountering new perspectives fosters profound and
positive change. We know that young people who engage in meaningful service in unfamiliar environ-
ments gain exceptional insight—it’s been our program model for over 30 years. Our students settle into
the daily life of the host community, get to know local residents, experience different customs and in the
process, begin to feel a sense of global connection. As one of the oldest international summer service or-
ganizations for teenagers, we celebrate this connectedness—and the hope it holds for the future.

WE ARE OPTIMISTS

We step outside our comfort zones—and away from our phones—to accomplish
things we never imagined. We start to see the world in a larger way. We gain skills,
grit, self-confidence and independence. We glimpse the future self we want to be.

S I N C E 1 9 8 8, “It gave me
WE’VE BUILT a sense of
what I want
MORE THAN to do in life.”
1,200 STRUCTURES
–N I C H O L A S M A G U I R E , 2 0 1 8 A L U M
AND PROVIDED
COUNTLESS HOURS
O F S O C IAL S E R VI C E.

J O I N U S.

-B E N M E S I K A , 2 0 0 1 A L U M

WE ARE FAMILY

We live, work and play as community members, not tourists. We
make deep connections with local residents and work together
toward shared goals. We hammer, paint, talk and laugh. We knit
ourselves into the fabric of the place. We make friends for life.

“I learned a lot about myself
and others by disconnecting
from the outside world.”

–JORY LINDEKUGEL, 2017 ALUM

“I was expecting to have an
amazing summer, which I did,

but I was not expecting to
change as a person and gain a

different view of the world.”

–S O P H I A M A R A S C O , 2 0 1 8 A L U M

–G R A C E L E E , 2 0 1 5 , 2 0 1 6 , 2 0 1 7 A L U M

WE ARE EXPLORERS

We revel in being off the beaten path. We traverse
foreign landscapes, taste fresh flavors and learn
new languages. We delve into a different way of life
and examine how it feels to live it. We keep our
minds and hearts open.

“VISIONS taught me how important it is to have
confidence in myself, and that taking risks can
lead to beautiful experiences and growth.”

–S Y LVA N L E B R U N , 2 0 1 7 A L U M

even more uniqueness

–I R E N E O ’ B R I E N , 2 0 0 7 A L U M

OUR 12- TO 25-DAY ALASKA BRITISH
PROGRAMS INCLUDE VIRGIN ISLANDS
40 TO 85 HOURS OF 6/29 - 7/23 • 25 days
COMMUNITY SERVICE. 85 service hours • $ 5 8 5 0 6/29 - 7/15 • 17 days
5 5 service hours • $ 4 1 5 0
THE VISIONS EXPERIENCE Live and work in an Athabascan Native
village at the base of the Wrangell Mountains. 7/20 - 8/03 • 15 days
VISIONS programs are grounded in a philosophy that has Learn carpentry and power tool skills for 4 5 service hours • $ 3 7 5 0
been changing the lives of teenagers for over 30 years. We be- construction projects, from wood sheds to
lieve it is best to do one thing and do it well. That’s why across all smoke houses to home repair. Experience Embrace a rare opportunity to engage
programs we have one model, built on the pillars of meaningful living off the land, including catching and in crucial hurricane relief work—cleanup,
service, full cultural immersion and open-minded exploration. smoking fish and preparing wild game. carpentry and rebuilding—in the
This is not a teen tour. This is a time to step outside of yourself, Weave birch bark with native elders, ice British Virgin Islands. Learn tangible
to do more and be more. climb, canoe and backpack in spectacular lessons about the social and envi-
Alaskan wilderness. ronmental issues the islands face in
the midst of increasingly destructive
storms. And swim, snorkel, SCUBA
dive and explore in one of the most
beautiful and welcoming places on
earth.

CAMBODIA DOMINICAN ECUADOR & M O N TA N A
REPUBLIC GAL APAG OS BLACKFEET
6/29 - 7/19 • 21 days
7 0 service hours • $ 4 9 5 0 S PAN I S H S PAN I S H 6/29 - 7/13 • 15 days
4 5 service hours • $ 3 7 5 0
Engage with Cambodia’s fascinating 6/29 - 7/19 • 2 1 days 6/29 - 7/23 • 25days
culture, challenging history and charming 7 0 service hours • $ 4 9 5 0 8 0 service hours • $ 5 9 5 0 7/18 - 8/11 • 25 days
people from your homebase in Bat- 8 5 service hours • $ 5 8 5 0
tambang. Attend a circus with thrilling 7 / 24 - 8/04 • 12 days Settle into the village life of Patate,
acrobatics, learn to cook Cambodian 40 service hours • $ 3 3 5 0 a charming town in the lush foothills Live on a ranch amid the rolling grasslands
food, explore the countryside on a of the Ecuadorian Andes near the im- of the Blackfeet Reservation in north-
bamboo railroad, travel scenic canals Help build much-needed schools and pressive Tungurahua volcano. Work on western Montana. Work on conservation
by riverboat and be totally awestruck organize a summer camp for kids from the school and public infrastructure proj- and building projects that serve the
at Angkor Wat, the largest temple in poorest neighborhoods of Santo Domingo. ects, take mountain hikes, explore wa- Blackfeet Indian tribe. Attend sacred
the world. Contribute to the region’s Spend off-hours in classic Caribbean terfalls, practice local dances and make ceremonies and powwows, try your
promising future by improving primary style—socializing, dancing, laughing, telling tamales—all while improving Spanish lan- hand at beading and horseback riding,
schools and empowering kids. stories, speaking Spanish and playing guage skills. Round out the journey with unlock the secrets of medicinal plants
pickup baseball with new friends. Com- three days in the legendary Galapagos and explore the gorgeous Glacier National
plete the experience with excursions to Islands, swimming with sea lions, snorkel- Park next door.
the Zona Colonial, artisan markets, beach- ing at reefs and doing conservation work
es, caves and the majestic Dominican Alps. in the National Park.

M O N TA N A PERU VISIONS DAILY LIFE
NORTHERN CHEYENNE
S PAN I S H VISIONS teens and leaders live together in the heart of the
(MIDDLE SCHOOL) host community, making it easy to become immersed in the
6/29 - 7/19 • 21 days fabric of the day to day. We settle into our home away from
7/15 - 7/29 • 15 days 7 0 service hours • $ 4 9 5 0 home, embracing cultural events, neighborhood routines and
4 5 service hours • $ 3 7 5 0 family-style meals. We believe that fostering this deep sense of
7/25 - 8/10 • 17 days community is an instrumental component of shifting perspec-
The VISIONS Northern Cheyenne middle 5 5 service hours • $ 4 1 5 0 tives and making the world a better place.
school program is carefully designed with the
younger student in mind. Kids get to know Work with indigenous farmers on an evolving VISIONS LEADERS
the tribe by helping local people with light irrigation project and construct improve-
carpentry work to improve homes and schools, ments to local school facilities, all while With an almost unheard-of average ratio of one adult to every
serving meals to elders, and instructing practicing Spanish in daily life. Learn from four teens, our leaders keep our programs safe and dynamic.
younger children on outdoor activities and resident experts about chocolate-making, These conscientious, motivated and compassionate mentors
arts and crafts. Service projects are balanced carpentry, pottery and beekeeping. Explore truly enjoy working with teenagers—so much so that summer
with recreation and cultural immersion, in- cultural traditions from soccer to salsa after summer nearly half of them return. They understand that
cluding hikes and horseback rides in the stun- dancing and experience spectacular vis- youth have tremendous energy, empathy and enthusiasm, and
ning Tongue River Valley and touring promi- tas and ancient history at Machu Picchu are skilled at turning these qualities into meaningful action.
nent Native American historical sites, such as and other ruins.
the Little Bighorn Battlefield. VISIONS GROUP DYNAMICS

Inclusive and healthy group dynamics are a priority for VISIONS.
Teens receive clear guidance and an unparalleled opportuni-
ty to work in teams and develop meaningful relationships. Our
groups are large enough to include diverse personalities, back-
grounds and interests—which makes for a vibrant exchange—but
small enough to feel like a supportive family.

As part of our commitment to sustainability,
VISIONS is instituting a policy to purchase
carbon-offsets for our program leaders’ air travel.

“Whenever I see 2018 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS

pictures of our 1ST PLACE
Rachel Shaw
worksites I see

many smiles.

People working

hard… exhausted,

yet still having

fun.” ALASKA

–N I C O J A R A ,

COMMUNITY MEMBER, PERU

2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE
Jasmine Berger Ethan Martin

MONTANA BLACKFEET CAMBODIA

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , P L E A S E V I S I T VIS IONS–S ERVIC E.COM OR
GIVE US A CALL AT 406.551.4423. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!

PRSRT STD
U S PO S TAG E

PA I D

G R E AT FA L L S, M T
PERMIT NO. 151

2 0 3 N O R T H C H U R C H AV E N U E | B O Z E M A N , M T 5 9 7 1 5 | V I S I O N S–S E R V I C E . C O M | 4 0 6 . 5 5 1 . 4 4 2 3

FOSTERING AWARENESS, NURTURING GLOBAL FRIENDSHIPS AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

“Circle Meetings are something that
really sets VISIONS apart. They provided

us with emotional outlets and got us to
reflect on the work we were doing.
I had the experience of a lifetime.”

–A D R I E N R O L E T , 2 0 1 6 A L U M