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Location
  • United States of America
Length
2 to 4 weeks
Project Types
Agriculture Climate Change Community Development Building Projects Service Learning Conservation Environmental Conservation Renewable Energy Wildlife Conservation
Need-based funding
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Age Min.
14
Age Max
18
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Guesthouse Lodge Tent
Groups
Medium Group (16-30)

Pricing

Starting Price
4550
Price Details
15 day program.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Nov 15, 2022
Aug 01, 2021
Wish List
9 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Roll up your sleeves for a summer of service projects and untrammeled adventure under the Big Sky at our Montana volunteer farm & ranch. See more stars arcing across the night sky than you could have imagined and dig your hands into the dirt to help farmers and ranchers provide food and sustenance to their communities. For the second straight season, VISIONS teens and leaders come together for an incredible summer to delve into matters of sustainability and conservation. Experience the grandeur and culture of the West, adventure in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, lend a hand to local folks, and reflect on all that is important in our lives.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with VISIONS Service Adventures for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

MT Farm and Ranch Backpacking Trip
Crazy Mountains -- MT Farm and Ranch
Summer ranch participant holds a goat.
Summer ranch kids hiking in Montana
Montana farm and ranch participant digs a hole.
Circle time at Bodhi Farms

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

VISIONS has always sought to facilitate respect for the commonalities and differences between people. We do this by working together on shared goals (engagement), group “Circle” meetings (communication), and community-building (connection). At all levels of our organization—from administration to summer leaders, local partners and teen volunteers— we seek diversity of backgrounds, lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ identities, heritage and interests.
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LGBTQIA+ Support

VISIONS has always sought to facilitate respect for the commonalities and differences between people. We do this by working together on shared goals (engagement), group “Circle” meetings (communication), and community-building (connection). At all levels of our organization—from administration to summer leaders, local partners and teen volunteers— we seek diversity of backgrounds, lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ identities, heritage and interests.
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Neurodivergent Support

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Accessibility Support

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Impact

Sustainability

VISIONS mission is To live in harmony with ourselves, each other and the natural world. We believe that a connection to the natural world is fundamental if we are going to live in balance with it. Materialism, excess, and self-focus are not the VISIONS way. We live simply, we pack simply, we are cognizant of the resources we use, and we strive to bring as much as we can into greater harmony with the natural world.
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Ethical Impact

While divisiveness often makes headlines, a more subtle story is that many people are working hard to build bridges and find common ground. VISIONS does not push an agenda and we are regularly reminded that people from diverse political backgrounds are inspired by our mission and our work.
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Program Highlights

  • Volunteer on Montana Ranches, Farms, and with local organizations
  • Hands-on learning in Sustainability and Conversation
  • Experience the Culture of the 'West'
  • Backpack in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
  • Trail Maintenance and Forest Service Projects

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 1 review
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  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 reviews
Default avatar
Avery
19
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely the best way to spend the summer

Aug 1, 2021

I had the absolute best time on the Montana farm and ranch program this summer in July! We went white water rafting, rock climbing, and did a number of service projects at non-profits and farms in the area. I came home with a deep knowledge of agriculture, the talks were amazing. The leaders were absolutely fantastic and the farm was incredible. I met some of the coolest people from all over, and was able to spend time with animals too. I loved going to Rocky Creek and working there, we harvested and planted and met some amazing young people. I loved working on the chicken coop and greenhouse at the VISIONS Farm, and hanging out in the loafing shed and playing cards. Dave was a fantastic head of program, and all of the leaders were such cool people. While I loved the amazing backpacking trip in the Crazy Mountains and all of the other cool hikes we did, being able to shop in downtown Bozeman was also awesome. The one critique I have is that I wish we could have visited Yellowstone which was so close, and done all of the things advertised on the website, like the bison harvest and more talks with local farmers. We went to a hot springs and went swimming, along with Bozeman beach. I loved visiting the horticulture garden at MSU and all of the other farms in the area, like Barney Creek Livestock and Farm 51. We had a textile workshop, and also went to a wool mill. I am so grateful for this amazing experience from VISIONS, thanks a million!! Definitely recommend if you are looking for an amazing time in the summer!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Rock climbing was such a nerve-wracking experience, but it was so awesome being high up and trying something completely new in the Montana landscape.
72 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
The barn

Questions & Answers

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.

About VISIONS Service Adventures

We believe that stepping outside of ourselves and encountering new perspectives fosters profound and positive change. We know that students who engage in meaningful service work in new environments gain exceptional insight—it’s been our program model for more than three decades. Our teen participants settle into the daily life of the host community...
  • Go Overseas Award

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