VISIONS is part of a network of organizations creating transformative opportunities for young people. We draw inspiration from the work of groups with similar missions, including Summer Search. Since 1990, this youth development organization has provided wilderness and education experiences for students from low-income backgrounds who demonstrate the potential to succeed but face systemic inequities that could impede their aspirations. Summer Search also offers long-term mentoring from high school through college.

VISIONS has supported Summer Search since it began more than 25 years ago, in part by providing scholarships for their students to attend our regular programs every year. This summer, we were honored to be one of two organizations selected to host a Custom Program. Fourteen Summer Search students from Seattle (and three VISIONS leaders) spent 15 days in southeastern Montana with the Northern Cheyenne people. Service work on the VISIONS Summer Search program included building workbenches, roofing a garden shed, cleaning up a playground and preparing and serving lunch to tribal elders at a senior center. They also hiked and camped in the Big Horn Mountains, explored the Tongue River Caves, learned to ride horses and practiced roping.

The kids loved the experience and thrived. It was so successful that we’ll be collaborating again with this incredible organization for more VISIONS Summer Search Programs in 2019.