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VISIONS Service Adventures

4.95 Rating
85 reviews
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Why choose VISIONS Service Adventures?

VISIONS inspires teenagers to develop their own sense of purpose and meaning through adventurous service and cross-cultural exploration.

DEVELOP YOUR OWN VISION THROUGH:
-Engaging with different people in novel contexts
-Sharing joy and laughter with adventurous travel
-Participating in significant and meaningful service projects
-Forming genuine relationships with new friends

VISIONS teens 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 first international and domestic service organizations for teenagers, we celebrate this connectedness—and the hope it holds for the future.

Summer Registration is Open!

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Website
visionsserviceadventures.com
Founded
1989
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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

Community Photos

A day before we left, we and the community all came together to celebrate and say our goodbyes
Our trip to Machu Picchu!
With the Locals!
View from a hike
Day camp
Boat ride
My group
Hanging out at home base
The barn

Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award

Scholarships

VISIONS Service Adventures Scholarships

VISIONS offer financial aid that is based on financial need and availability of funds. VISIONS may also offer a limited number of merit scholarships for students who are in the “gray area” of qualifying for aid and who also demonstrate that they are an excellent candidate for a VISIONS program.

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Impact 🌎

In addition to high-impact social service and construction projects, VISIONS continues to expand our environmental commitment with projects rooted in sustainability and connection to the land. VISIONS aims to have no more than 25% meat & dairy sourced from factory farms by 2026.
VISIONS builds communities of teens, leaders and local people who support each other while working toward shared goals on projects that our host community has requested. We have worked in our host communities for two to three decades and teens are welcomed like family.

Reviews

Wylie
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
VISIONS: Peru High School Service Program

Amazing Adventure

Oct 2, 2026

I visited Peru for the two week program with Visions the summer after my freshman year of high school, and despite being one of the youngest there it was an incredible experience. All counselors are welcoming and supportive, and the program has longstanding ties with the community. It balances service work with fun recreational activities and adventures letting you build a strong connection with the foreign country. I learned a ton and I would recommend it to anyone who wants an authentic and impactful cultural immersion program!

Response from VISIONS Service Adventures

Hi Wylie! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re so happy to hear that your time in Peru was so meaningful and that you felt supported throughout the program. It’s wonderful to know you connected with the community and enjoyed the balance of service, adventure, and cultural immersion. Thank you for being part of the VISIONS community!

By VISIONS Service Adventures on October 14, 2026
Liamsy
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
VISIONS: Dominican Republic High School Service Program

My experience with visions program to DR

Sep 19, 2026

My experience with visions program was truly an honor, getting to learn a new culture and learn about their country was amazing, it opened my eyes to a different perspective on the world!! I loved the program and activities, especially my leaders were truly the best ones as well. It was sad to part with the community and my new friends, but good things must come to an end, sadly. I wish to one day participate in a program again!! Thank you for this beautiful opportunity I’ll never forget any of it!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you are very close to your family and have horrible homesickness it’ll be okay. I did but every time we had a new activity it would help me forget about it and my friends i made there would help me forget as well. So, don’t be afraid, the people you meet there will make you forget about being homesick, enjoy the time you have there and learn as much as you can, by the time you leave, your gonna wish you never left.
Pros
  • My leaders
  • The community
  • My fellow participants
What other participants should know
  • No contact with family
A day before we left, we and the community all came together to celebrate and say our goodbyes
Response from VISIONS Service Adventures

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Liamsy! We’re so glad to hear how much you enjoyed your time in the Dominican Republic and that the program gave you a new perspective while allowing you to connect with the community, your leaders, and new friends. We’re grateful you were part of the VISIONS community!

By VISIONS Service Adventures on September 29, 2026
Deseada
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
VISIONS: Peru High School Service Program

This was a NEEDED trip

Sep 18, 2026

Honestly, going into Visions trip was really scary for me because I’d be away from family and without a phone, but once I met the people, I saw the great opportunity of friendship and guidance from the counselors. My growth stemmed from being able to see the outdoors and appreciate it for one of the first times in my life. The friendships that I made were everlasting until this day I still speak to them. We grew together and bonded as a family. I am so grateful for this experience. I would 100% do it again without a doubt!

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was the talent show that we had to do as a group!
Pros
  • Friendship development
  • Creative intervention
What other participants should know
  • Having too many ideas
  • Laughing until my tummy hurt!
Our trip to Machu Picchu!
Response from VISIONS Service Adventures

Thank you so much for sharing your experience Deseada! we're so glad to hear that you had such a great time in Peru and that you were able to grow, connect with others, and make such meaningful friendships. It’s wonderful to hear that those friendships have lasted beyond the program. Thank you for being part of the VISIONS community!

By VISIONS Service Adventures on September 29, 2026
Karol
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
VISIONS: Dominican Republic High School Service Program

A Truly Transformative Experience

Aug 21, 2026

Our child had an amazing experience with VISIONS and came home with so many wonderful stories to share. Being immersed in the local culture and community, while also taking part in meaningful service projects, made the experience truly special. It was wonderful to see how much he learned from the people he met and the experiences he had. VISIONS gave our son the opportunity to step outside his comfort zone, grow, and see the world from a different perspective. It was so much more than a trip, it was an experience that he will remember for years to come.

David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
VISIONS: Dominican Republic High School Service Program

Fantastic experience with VISIONS

Aug 9, 2026

Great experience - our daughter absolutely loved it and immediately wanted to turn around and go back when she came home at the end. She connected really well with her fellow participants and felt that the service work was really meaningful and fulfilling. She gained a lot of valuable perspective too. The whole program was thoughtfully managed; communication was great in advance and throughout, safety standards were high, and the program team is a great group of people. Couldn’t recommend it more highly!

Response from VISIONS Service Adventures

Thank you for sharing! We’re so happy to hear that your daughter had such a meaningful experience, connected with her peers, and found the service work so rewarding. We truly appreciate your recommendation!

By VISIONS Service Adventures on August 25, 2026
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Ellie Oakley

Program
Montana Farm and Ranch Program
Job Title
Outreach Coordinator and Summer Program Leader
Ellie grew up in Colorado and New Mexico, and she graduated from Middlebury College in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Religious Studies. Before working for Visions, Ellie worked with kids in various capacities, including a summer with Girls Inc. where she helped middle school girls develop wilderness skills for hiking and camping in the high desert mountains. She enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.
Ellie at the top of a mountain with ruins and a blue sky behind her

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory at Visions was waking all of the students up at dawn to hike up to Machu Picchu. We started out by walking through the small town at the base of the ruins, a bleary walk in the dark with flashlights to light our way. We then hiked up the mountain via many flights of stone stairs and ended with sunrise at the entrance to the ruins!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for Visions encouraged me to grow as a confident leader. Being a leader for a Visions program really allows for growth in communication skills with the kids, teamwork with other leaders, and intercultural competence as you spend time in other cultures and countries. These are all important skills that I took with me afterward.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the stories I enjoyed hearing from the students who were in my program is the fact that they were all still in touch with each other after the program ended. Their friendships continued after their time in Peru, and they were all making plans to meet up and visit each other. They left Visions with friends all over the country and the world.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I am drawn to the Montana programs – both the Blackfeet program and the Farm program. As I live in Montana, I think the Blackfeet program would offer a way to explore and connect with another culture within the state, while the Farm program explores sustainable farming techniques and hands-on outdoors experiences.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Visions are unique in the fact that it has a component called Circle, where you gather as a group of leaders and students every-other night on the program. During this time you hold prompted discussions on how the program is going, any difficulties that have arisen, and any particularly happy or proud moments that have occurred. You also dive into important questions about each other and each other's backgrounds and experiences, holding meaningful and personal discussions that form the foundation of a strong community. I found that the students were really open to this activity and I was especially proud when some of them mentioned how significant Circle was to their experience and how they aimed to foster the same open communication throughout their lives.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

One of the biggest factors is offering a unique and compelling experience for students, which I believe Visions does through its focus on community service, meaningful cultural exchange, and communication and community-building amongst the students in the program and between the students and the culture they're immersed in. Along with that, having a strong team of people working behind the scenes to make these programs a reality.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Justin Rickey

Program
VISIONS: British Virgin Islands High School Service Program
Job Title
Construction Leader
Justin is a sustainable development professional with 9 years of experience working in many different countries around the world. His experience in education, project management, and travel allows him to add a unique prospective to those in the field.
Justin Rickey

Interview

What is your favorite travel memory?

While in the BVI with VISIONS there were a number of experiences that I had which would rank near the top memories while I was there. Being able to take the students to have new experiences throughout the islands is probably one of my most favorite memories. Whether it be experience a beautiful beach, learning the history of the island, snorkeling, or experience the amazing island culture, I always enjoyed seeing them excited.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

VISIONS might be a small company, but the experience that they offer to their Leaders and students is huge. It is not like your normal camp or education trip, but so much more. Leaders are able to hone their skills and learn new ones in a dynamic workspace while also getting to travel.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

There are always a number of students that return to the same program, or are at least repeat VISION students in new locations, which shows how great a program it is. Seeing students experience new things in a new and foreign place is amazing. With VISIONS they do this without the use of technology, which forces them to be in the moment at all times. At the end of the trip many students don't miss their phones and relish the time with their new friends instead.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I have been on tow of their locations; BVI and the Montana Farm. Both of them are great locations in their own way. BVI was by far my favorite of the two though. Who doesn't like spending time on a warm Caribbean island visiting new beaches, hiking, and taking in the sun.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

VISIONS is a small organization, but makes huge differences in the communities in which they work. Unlike camps and travel organization, VISIONS creates a program where the students give back to the community through community work projects. It is great to be able to see the look of accomplishment on the faces of the students as they learn and complete new tasks.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

To be successful you must first have a passion for the work and a vision for the future. At VISIONS, the staff truly do have a passion for the work and it shows with the quality of the programs and the number of students and leaders that return year after year. The staff always goes over and beyond to support their leaders and to make sure that the programs run as smoothly as possible.