VISIONS Custom Program Brochure | Our Lady of Peace

ACADEMY OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC &
OUR LADY OF PEACE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

WELCOME TO VISIONS

The interest expressed by Academy of Our Lady of Peace in Custom Programs with
VISIONS indicates a shared commitment to the profound learning that happens when
students undertake meaningful projects in a cross-cultural environment.

VISIONS has worked in our Dominican Republic community for 28 years and worked in
our BVI community for 27 years. We believe that long-term relationships are the foun-
dation for creating mutual understanding and real change. We invite Academy of Our
Lady of Peace to be an extension of the relationships that we have forged and hope
that our partnership will also be one that develops over time.

“Visions is a 30-year
veteran of service ad-

ventures, their itin-
eraries veering more
hard-core immersion
than in-and-out tour.”

–T H E N E W Y O R K T I M E S , 2 0 1 8

TAB L E O F CO N T ENTS

4- ABOUT VISIONS CUSTOM
PROGRAMS

7- ACADEMY OF OUR LADY OF
PEACE PROGRAM

9- ITINERARY
10- PROCESS & PRICING

“It gave me a sense of what I want to do in life.”

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

ABOUT VISIONS
CUSTOM PROGRAMS

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 environments gain
exceptional insight—it’s been our program model for 31 years.

VISIONS custom programs are an exciting opportunity to expose
participants to a new culture and a new way of thinking while giving back
and digging deep. They will be part of this with communities and local
partners who we have known for many years.

“I wanted you to know that things could not
have been better with the trip. VISIONS lead-
ers were attentive, energetic, intuitive, and
kindly firm, just as I would have hoped. We
worked well as a team and the students rose
to the challenges facing them.”

–A N N E W E S T O N , H E AT H W O O D H A L L , C U S T O M P R O G R A M

“The support and wisdom The custom program will be a hybrid, containing
of the on-the-ground elements of traditional VISIONS summer programs
along with ingredients tailored to meet the goals
leaders, the local teams of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. When the ob-
and the directors made jectives of the program are met, participants will:

me so confident that I • Increase their knowledge of the culture,
could let go and let my history, and society of the host community.
kid fall and rise on her
own, with your watchful • Improve the communication and community
living skills required in order to successfully
eyes on her. She her- live in a group.
self said she grew as a
person--a response that • Develop the hard skills required on the
worksite, including tool use
blew me away.”
• Increase their understanding of and respect for
–A L U M N I PA R E N T , J A N H . , N J diversity, in the broadest sense

• Increase their confidence in themselves as
engaged members of a community, and as
agents of change

• Increase their positive attitude towards
interacting, learning, and exploring across
cultures

EXPERIENCES

• Meaningful Service Work — choose from two or three projects each day
• Cultural Exchange — live and work as part of the community
• Day in the Life — cleaning, cooking, shopping during homebase crew days
• Reflection — group meetings to discuss and reflect on the experience
• Travel — to some of the best sites as well as local destinations

PROJECTS

We begin work on the first full day of the program. The work depends on group size and
community needs, and always involves ambitious projects that may be a combination of
construction work and social service. Projects are done with community members and stu-
dents get to choose from two or three different worksites each day.

A small rotating group will often stay back from worksites each day for “homebase crew.”
This group will cook breakfast for everyone and go to local markets for the day’s shopping.

ACTIVITIES

After work ends around ~ 2 pm, the rest of the day entails cultural exchanges, recre-
ation and other activities anchored in the community. We typically set aside two full-
day activities for every five work days. Your group will experience the “must-see” sights
along with activities that come from long-standing relationships in the community.

COMMUNITY-BUILDING

On a few evenings, we meet as a group to reflect on the volunteer and cultural
experience, and to listen to what others have to share. Teachers are also welcome
to facilitate these meetings, including lessons specific to the group’s goals.

ACADEMY OF OUR GROUP
LADY OF PEACE
PROGRAM The program is planned for approximately twelve students and two teachers,
though larger groups can easily be accommodated.

DAT E S

February 15 - 22, 2020

SERVICE HOURS

Each student will receive a Certificate of Service at the end of the program.
The certificate includes the amount of service hours (approximately 30 for a
week-long program) along with details of the projects that are completed.

LO CAT I O N

Dominican Republic (British Virgin Islands as backup possibility).

ACCO M M O DAT I O N S

The group will live together in a community center-type arrangement or in large
rented house. Accommodations are basic, but clean and comfortable. VISIONS
provides beds, and participants bring sheets and a pillow. There is always running
water, showers, bathrooms and a full kitchen.
• Dominican Republic: Rented home in a neighborhood of Santo Domingo.
• British Virgin Islands: Church space or school on the island of Virgin Gorda.

FOOD

Meals and snacks on the program will be varied and healthy. Members of the
group will take turns preparing breakfasts and lunches, and a cook prepares our
dinners. Vegetarian and meat options are available at meals and healthy snacks
are provided throughout the day. Participants with allergies or other food re-
quirements will provide that information to VISIONS before the program begins.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

• Service projects include cinder block masonry to • Service projects include home repairs and renova-
construct school infrastructure, doing finishing work tions of public buildings that were damaged during
such as painting, and facilitating lessons in primary the hurricanes as well as some environmental work.
classes.
• Scuba dive
• Tour batey communities (originally the cane cutting • Swimming, snorkeling and games at local beaches
Haitian neighborhoods) • Guided nature hikes
• Cultural interviews and guest speakers
• Swim at nearby beaches • Spend time at the “Baths” where volcanic rock forma-
• Zona Colonial and the nearby large artisan market
• Tres Ojos caves tions create idyllic pools in the ocean
• Merengue and salsa lessons • Cookouts & BBQs with community friends
• Oakland A’s training league baseball game
• Dinner guests and lots of socializing with

neighborhood kids

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ITINERARY

*Schedule may change to accommodate group Day Two (Sunday, 16th) Day Four (Tuesday, 18th) Day Six (Thursday, 20th)
or community needs, weather, etc. The following • Take in the historical context of the D.R. • Worksites • Worksites
gives an overview of a typical program. • Afternoon activity: Tour of bateyes, • Afternoon activity: Visit a rural
with a visit to Ciudad Colonial. Tour the
Our week in Santo Domingo will be ser- oldest fortress and cathedral in the which were originally the Haitian- orphanage and school for girls and
vice-focused, and in the cross-cultural Americas, visit Alcázar de Colón, which occupied sugar cane-cutting then attend a baseball game at the
context of working and spending time was a home granted to Christopher neighborhoods that are now some of Oakland A’s training facility
with our Dominican neighbors and friends. Columbus’ son by King Ferdinand, and the poorest communities in the DR. • Dinner
We will also carve out time to explore this see plenty of other historic sites while • Dinner • Group meeting
historic city, a beach, and other points of walking the cobblestone streets of this • Group meeting, reflection activity
interest. Our after-work activities will be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day Seven (Friday, 21st)
blend of cultural immersion and fun. • Picnic lunch Day Five (Wednesday, 19th) • Last day of worksites
• Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt & com- • Worksites • Afternoon activity: Mercado Modelo
Day One (Saturday, 15th) munity interviews • Afternoon activity: Tres Ojos
• Flight arrival to Santo Domingo air- • Dinner artisan market, souvenir shopping
• Group meeting walking-caves tour and the • Goodbye dinner with local friends
port met by VISIONS leaders. Botanical Gardens
• ~40 minute drive to our homebase; Day Three (Monday, 17th) • Dinner and project partners
• Tool and project training; first day of • Ice cream outing & time with • Dance party! Fiesta de Despedida
unpack and settle in. neighborhood kids
• Orientation to the week worksites Day Eight (Saturday, 22nd)
• Welcome Dinner with local friends • Lunch at worksites and end work ~2 pm • Pack up, clean homebase
• Afternoon activity: Bocal Chica beach • Flight departures — Hasta luego!

outing!
• Dinner guest / guest speaker
• Dance lessons

PROCESS PRICING

Upon determining that a group wishes to do a Custom Pro- 10 - 15 participants: $1650
gram with VISIONS, the following is the standard process: 16 - 20 participants: $1550
21 - 27 participants: $1450
I. To secure program & dates:
To secure program & dates: $2500 deposit and signed con- *The above pricing is for the D.R. Note that BVI price per
tract participant is an additional $250.

II. Upon that commitment: Cost of tuition includes:
• VISIONS provides a digital link for participants / par- • Cost of tuition includes:
• One teacher for every six participants
ents to complete contact and health information, and • VISIONS leaders and local staff
to sign any required waivers. • Service projects, all activities, housing, meals
• VISIONS provides digital link for teacher / chaperones • Transportation beginning and ending at Santo
to also complete basic info.
• VISIONS provides a one-page website for the group Domingo airport
that includes packing list, travel details, welcome let- • VISIONS liability insurance
ter from program leaders, etc. •
• Cost does not include:
III. Three months prior to program: • Airfare (though VISIONS can arrange flights)
• Tuition balance due • Baggage fees, other travel-related expenses, arrival
• Participant and chaperone e-forms due
• Ongoing support as needed before the trip and departure taxes
• Evacuation insurance, medical expenses, individual

health or trip insurance

Cost does not include:
• Airfare (though VISIONS can arrange flights)
• Baggage fees, other travel-related expenses, arrival

and departure taxes
• Evacuation insurance, medical expenses, individual

health or trip insurance

203 NORTH CHURCH AVENUE | BOZEMAN, MT 59715

FOSTERING AWARENESS, NURTURING GLOBAL FRIENDSHIPS AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

“I’ve been awash in the THANK YOU
stories from our students
For questions, please feel free
who joined your to contact VISIONS Director,
program... and it has Katherine Dayton
been amazing to hear all
the stories and experi- K AT H E R I N E@VI S I O N S - S E RVI C E . CO M
ences they had out there. W W W .V I S I O N S - S E R V I C E . C O M
It sounds like it was a 406.551.4423

challenging and
empowering experience

for a lot of our youth.

–C O L I N P E T K U S , S U M M E R S E A R C H