Media Kit 2014

Life-Changing Summer Experiences for Teens Since 1989, VISIONS Service Adventures has provided life-changing summer programs for teenagers.

Programs are carefully structured, well-supervised and include real service. VISIONS was founded with the

idea of a Peace Corps experience for high school students and the mission has changed very little over the

years. Teens live in the heart of a community and work side-by-side with local hosts. They get to know the

people whose lives are impacted and friendships are mutual. VISIONS participants work hard, play hard and

make a difference. They gain an appreciation for our multicultural world and return home more informed

global citizens.

Meaningful Alternative to Traditional Summer Camps VISIONS provides enriching experiences that are different than traditional summer camps. Teens have the

opportunity to travel to unique destinations around the world, contribute to robust projects and actively

engage in cultural and language immersion. Participants come back from a VISIONS service adventure with

memories that last a lifetime and having completed meaningful service work. Close attention is paid to

community-building, group discussions and activities designed to reflect on the volunteer and immersion

experience.

Work Hard | Play Hard | Make a Difference VISIONS collaborates with local nonprofits and makes long-term commitments with host communities.

VISIONS has worked in most program locations for more than 15 years, and in some locations for more than

20 years. Projects are ambitious and gratifying. Students work until mid-afternoon on weekdays and choose

from three different worksites each day. In many ways, the service projects are a way to thank the community

for welcoming participants into their lives.

11,000 Service Projects Completed By Teens

Since 1989, VISIONS teens have built more than 11,100 structures and done countless hours of social and

environmental service. Every VISIONS program undertakes at least one central construction project. Projects

address pressing needs in the communities and teach valuable skills: problem-solving, resilience and teamwork.

Confident in VISIONS’ high standards, community partners choose projects appropriate for teen volunteers'

capabilities. Programs also include non-construction service. Participants may volunteer with children, work on

environmental and agricultural projects or create irrigation and drinking water systems.

Cultural & Language Immersion

Cultural learning and friendship are core to the VISIONS experience. Teens and leaders live together in a

community center or home in a local neighborhood. They are involved in daily life and engage with people who

may have worked with VISIONS groups for a decade or more. Because participants are part of the community

and not just passing through, there are many opportunities to learn the language. In the French and Spanish

language immersion programs where local people do not speak English, teens work on foreign language skills

while socializing with neighborhood friends, doing service projects, shopping at markets and more.

Middle School Travel Programs Many summer travel camps for middle school teens and tweens focus on recreation and adventure. In contrast,

VISIONS middle school programs in the British Islands and Montana include the same framework that defines all

VISIONS programs: ambitious service, cultural immersion and fun excursions. Activities and service projects are

age-appropriate and in a supportive, small group setting. As with high school programs, the leader to participant

ratio is 1-to-4.

Program Locations English-Speaking:

Alaska

British Virgin Islands,

Cambodia

Mississippi

Montana Blackfeet Reservation

Montana Cheyenne Reservation

Spanish Immersion:

Dominican Republic

Ecuador & Galapagos

Nicaragua

Peru

French Immersion:

Guadeloupe

Motivated Millennials

Many VISIONS participants come from the best educations available. They have resources and information

available to them in spades. Yet, something is missing for many teenagers today. VISIONS offers an opportunity

to walk in someone else’s shoes and to contribute in ways that are gratifying and fun. Participants on VISIONS

programs learn about themselves and what they are capable of achieving. They also learn grit, determination,

independence, and how good it feels to do something for another person. VISIONS summers are an opportunity

to learn about one’s self, and how to apply those new lessons to the rest of life’s adventures, work and

relationships.

Reputable & Recommended Summer Program

For 25 years, VISIONS has set the standard for domestic and international community service programs for high

school and middle school students. Collaborative service work and cross-cultural living help teen volunteers

understand a complicated world and learn meaningful ways to contribute in a productive way.

"I helped build a school in a foreign country, with tools I had never used before, and with people I had not known

one month ago.“ - Francis Biere – Indianapolis, Indiana

VISIONS Leaders VISIONS programs are exceptional because of the people. The key role of program leaders is to encourage

students to be open to the learning what awaits them in their community service program. Summer leaders are

the backbone of a safe and dynamic summer. Each program is led by a director and up to five leaders to maintain

a leader-to-student ratio of 1-to-4. In addition to intensive training, leaders have experience working with teens, go

through background and reference checks and are part of a highly competitive hiring process. VISIONS’ leaders

include teachers, outdoor educators, Masters and PhD students, returned Peace Corps volunteers, carpenters

and other professionals.

Custom Programs for Groups

In addition to summer programs, VISIONS runs high quality, customized volunteer travel programs for schools,

clubs and other groups of people who want to travel with the spirit of community service, cultural immersion and

adventure. Custom Programs are open to all ages and are available year-round. Groups are invited to plan a

customized adult or youth volunteer travel program with VISIONS, knowing the experience will be intimate,

dynamic, meaningful and memorable.

Media Contacts

Stephanie Parnell

Account Manager

Adventure Media

stephanie@adventuremedianews.com

832-755-7661

Katherine Dayton

Director

Visions Service Adventures

katherine@visions-service.com

406-551-4423