Why did you decide to participate in the Visions Service Adventures program in Montana?
Eve: One or two weeks into the summer, I decided that I wanted to do something different this year. I wanted to have an awesome summer experience that I would never forget. I also wanted to meet new people that I would stay in contact with. My brother had participated in VISIONS the previous year and he really enjoyed his time during the program.
I thought that I would love to go to Montana with other kids from different places around the country and even the world and make a difference in the community that we were visiting. I specifically chose the VISIONS program in Montana because I thought it was a really good length and all of the activities in Montana sounded like they would be really fun. I knew this trip would take me a little out of my comfort zone, but I was ready to try new things and have a really great time.
What was the best moment of the trip?
Eve: I don’t think there was one single best moment of the trip for me. There were a few that do stick out in my mind. We took a camping trip and when we reached the top of the mountains, I got such a great feeling because I had just accomplished something that I wasn’t sure I could do.
The views were incredible and it was even more amazing to know that we had to work hard to achieve our goal of getting to the top of the mountain. Another great moment for me was one night when all of the girls were in our room just relaxing and talking to each other.
This was still towards the beginning of the trip, so we had really just gotten to know each other, but we were all so comfortable with each other. This might seem like a very ordinary moment, but it was really great to know that we had all become so close so quickly. There were so many amazing memories I made in Montana.
Do you feel like you made a significant impact on the local community? Why or why not?
Eve: I truly think that our VISIONS group made such a positive impact on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation community. While we were there we visited a local senior center. Several of us exchanged addresses with seniors. One man even told us that he made caps and was going to mail them to us.
We asked if we could give him anything in return and he replied by saying that our friendship was good enough for him. At this moment I knew that we had made an impact on these people. We also got the chance to hang out with kids from the area. We got to talk to them and play sports with them. They had become friends to us in just a matter of days.
Although I think we did make a very great impact on the local people in Montana, I think they made an even greater impact on us. All of the people there taught me so many things that I will never forget.
What do you the miss the most about Montana or your experience?
Eve: There are lots of things I miss about Montana. One thing I really miss is the comfort that you feel with the people around you. Montana was like an escape from our normal very busy lives. There is no judgment from other people. Everyone really opens up with one another and there are no awkward feelings around other people.
I also miss being so comfortable without electronics. I’m normally on my phone constantly, so I was a little worried at first to be without it for the two weeks. I completely forgot about my phone during the trip. We were kept so busy that I never even had the urge to check the notifications on my phone. I miss the very laid back environment in Montana.
I also miss my ability to step out of my comfort zone while I was in Montana. I am usually pretty willing to try new things, but Montana really made me forget some of my fears.
How has this experience impacted your future?
Eve: My experience in Montana has impacted my future in a few ways. First, I think it has made me more willing to try new things and get over my fears even more. My experience also made me more accepting of new people. I am usually a little uncomfortable around strangers, but Montana made me a little less timid around people I have never met before.
My Montana experience also made me realize how much I like helping people. The feeling you get after completing a project that will benefit someone else is priceless. There is nothing like helping people who aren’t as fortunate as you.
I could easily see myself going to VISIONS for the next few summers because of all of the wonderful ways it has impacted my current life and my future. I learned so many things in Montana and cannot wait to apply those things in my future.