Program Reviews

I had such a good trip with Visions to the Dominican Republic and I know I will never forget it. I made friends that I know I will never forget both with the other participants and with the locals. I loved the project we did and I felt like there was a really good sense of community. I would definitely do a Visions trip again!

I had an incredible experience with VISIONS over the summer. I went to a small region of France called Guadeloupe, and lived with 23 other teens for a month. We all got to know each other really well, and I made long lasting friends. The time we had, I think can be called "life changing." We got a change to fix up schools for the local french kids, and we taught english lessons to them as well. It is so amazing that feeling you get when you know you've changed someone's life, or helped them in some way. Working with the local kids made me feel that way every day. I had so much fun on this trip, and would definitely recommend it to other teens.

The month I spent in an overseas region of France, called Guadeloupe, was arguably one of the greatest months of my life. The 27 day program provided an incredible amount of insight and fulfillment, particularly as we worked with the community of Capesterre on the smaller island of Marie-Galante. This service adventure sent me outside of my comfort zone, allowing me to truly face (and overcome) the challenges that life often sets before me. AN example -- I was afraid of speaking French at first, but the environment created both by my peers and by the VISIONS staff allowed me to become much more proficient in the language and have fun with it.

Spending a month with 23 other kids that I had never met before was also incredible - I felt like I was able to get to know everyone on a very personal level, as everyone was completely on their own to be themselves; without the influence of friends back home or the pressure to be someone that they're not. ust the real people for everything that they are. For me, half of the trip was focused on being able to connect with and adequately serve the community on the island, while the other half of the trip was (as I said before) getting to know so many different and unique people in such an equally unique and different place.

Beyond that, the six VISIONS staff members that were with us respectfully maintained a position of authority while simultaneously providing us with the opportunity to be friendly and amicable - each and every staff member went above and beyond the "call of duty" for this type of trip and worked their hardest to make it a bettering experience for all of us. I've committed myself to returning to Guadeloupe one day, but I know for a fact it won't be the same without the incredible people and without the incredible program that I shared the experience with the first time.

Please reply with any questions and I'll be happy to answer them, and vouch for this great program!

Visions gave me one of the most amazing summers of my life. I made so many friends and also felt as if I became a part of the community. At first I was nervous about traveling to a country so far from home for a month without knowing anyone, but I was quickly welcomed by the warm staff and friendly community members. Although the work felt labor intensive at times, all together the group was very successful in building an elementary school bathroom and 13 canals in over the span of 3 and a half weeks. The trip was a great opportunity to experience another culture and improve your spanish. But I have to say the best part of the trip was the social aspect. I met so many unique kids from all over the United States, and together we bonded and became so close in such a short period of time. Visions gave me an experience of a lifetime and I hope to do another program next summer.

VISIONS is a fun, easy way to enjoy your summer while impacting the world around you. This summer I attended the Cambodian program and am so glad I did. It was truly amazing to be incorporated into the Cambodian lifestyle and culture. The people are happy, generous, and greedy for knowledge. While teaching summer school classes in our hometown Battambang, I discovered first hand just how smart and willing to learn the children are. Working projects may be scary at first but do not worry if you have never cemented a building or painted in your life. By the end of the program you will be ready to build yourself a house! Participants, staff, and community members are always willing to teach you how to perform different jobs at the work site. Soon enough working becomes fun and you forget about the sweat and sun. VISIONS allowed me to meet people from all across the globe which is something I will always cherish. This summer I meant something, and I challenge you to mean something too!

There are many different ways you can spent your summer this year but I'm just saying, you want to do this Service Adventure. How many people get to say they met, helped and hang with the Native Blackfeet people? Only the ones who do this camp that's who. Also don't think you'll be working unstop all day. You get to join tribal ceremonies which can not be placed in words but only experienced. And that's not all the staff, the most unique and awesome people ever, plan fun activities every day which everyone will enjoy. Including sports, card/board games, and ice breakers. I'm not trying to bore you so I'll end it, but all I can say it go for it. Remember to ask me questions!

The middle school Montana program was an awesome experience. You get to interact with locals and also meet people from all over the country or even all over the world. You also get to do fun community service projects for people around the town. You get such an awesome feeling after completing something here. I am already looking into doing another VISIONS program!

VISIONS Montana is a fantastic program! You get so many opportunities to meet new people from all across the country, all of whom are sweet and very fun. A typical work day starts off with breakfast. Then at around 9:45 we left to go to the worksite, where we were constructing a playground. We also were able to do odd jobs like mowing lawns. We dug a lot of holes, and we also painted and stained wood. We usually got an hour break for lunch, in which we were allowed to walk about the town and buy food or souveniors. After the work day was over, we would go back to the ranch. We ate dinner, and then afterwards we would have various activities (movies, games...). We had 5 groups of "home base" people, who would stay back and cook, clean, do laundry and pick up mail. On the weekends, we did things like scavanger hunts and we went on hikes. We went on one backpacking trip as well.

VISIONS was a great experience for me, as well as the other people on the trip with me. We were always doing something that was fun and never bored. We did service for the community there, and interacted with the people there a lot to. We did fun stuff withing the group to. There was so much to take in, i was in awe most of he time. Learning more Spanish was cool to. If you are a teen and want to travel this is the way you should go.

I spent this past summer in Montana, on the Blackfeet Native American Reservation right by Glacier National Park. To say it was beautiful, both physically and spiritually, would be misleading - there are no words for how absolutely stunning every moment was. It was eye-opening. It's an experience I'll always look back on with fondness. It definitely changed me inside and out.

I woke up every morning ready to go go go! Breakfast, always. Nothing like home-cooking. And perpetual oatmeal. And then we were gone - wind or rain, hot or cold, we were out doing our stuff.

I loved working on the construction site (clambering on roof rafters!) and getting involved in the culture (playing with all the little kids! I forget how many piggyback rides I gave) all around me. I've never before felt such a strong, deep, outstanding connection to anyone or anything. Taking 11 mile hikes, swimming in icy cold lakes, rock climbing, and camping only added to the fun.

It was almost surreal - for one month, I was free to be whoever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do (within reason...). I was free to just explore. It was a safe place where you could be unsafe, if that makes sense. I can't thank everyone I was in Montana with me for that opportunity. And I still keep in touch with the kids I met!