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The
VISIONS
Blog
Program Updates and Notes from the Field
Dig deeper into stories of friendships, community and projects.
The
VISIONS
Blog
Program Updates and Notes from the Field
Do you have a VISIONS story that you would like to share? Our international community would love to hear from you!
>>> Click Here to Share Your Story <<<
Cedric Alvarez, Passion for Community Service
Thanks to the community, Cedric’s family and VISIONS leaders and participants all working together, Cedric’s passion for community service lives on.
VISIONS Leaders From Around the World
VISIONS leaders from around the world trained together in preparation for teen summer service trips. In the process, they forged deep connections.
Why VISIONS Alumni Return
There is something profound and positive about settling into the daily life of another culture, accomplishing shared goals and participating in community-building. It’s what draws all of us to VISIONS. To get specific, we asked why VISIONS Alumni return.
How to Choose a Summer Program
When making plans for summer, there is no shortage of options for you or your teen. There are sleepaway camps, teen tours, sports camps, international programs, and the list goes on. You can easily get lost in a sea of alluring catalogs promising life-changing summers. To help you navigate your options, below are 7 questions to ask when choosing summer programs.
VISIONS Family Tree, a Multigenerational Community
Lauren Maguire joined VISIONS in 1992 and 1993 as a leader for the British Virgin Islands Program. She said that back then, “the idea of my own child attending a Visions program never crossed my mind!” . . . 26 years later, her son heads out on his second VISIONS program. A number of participants from the first years of VISIONS now have children volunteering with us this summer. The VISIONS Family Tree grows . . .
The BVI Wants You to Visit – Here’s Why You Should
Local tourist companies have collaborated to both propel the industry and reward groups that are aiding in the relief process. These companies are currently offering a variety of discounts to families of those involved with volunteer organizations (i.e. VISIONS)...
A Closer Look at VISIONS Foundation
VISIONS Foundation expands upon the work already done by its sister organization, VISIONS Service Adventures, which was one of the first international community service programs for teenagers...
Spotlight: Nico Jara (Peru Project Coordinator)
In 1999, the world population exceeded six billion, Y2K hysteria stoked fears of societal collapse, popular music was dominated by Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys, and VISIONS established one of our deepest community connections with the Peru Summer Program. Nico Jara...
Love Letter from a VISIONS Parent
VISIONS is a community without borders that includes families future, current and past. It always warms our hearts to hear good news from alumni parents. We were thrilled to hear from Amy, mother of Lydia Ghozeil, Cambodia ‘18...
B’nai Jeshurun in the DR
Last month a B’nai Jeshurun group consisting of 21 teenagers and four adults traveled to the Dominican Republic to complete a school-construction project in the community of Naranjo. This is the third time students from B’nai Jeshurun have visited the DR to help with such community service projects.
In Memoriam, Dale Pepion
This season we took time to celebrate and acknowledge the life of our beloved friend, Dale Pepion. Dale passed away in Kalispell, MT on January 11 at the age of 84...
New Studies Vindicate VISIONS No-Tech Policy
Since VISIONS started 30 years ago, the research has been steadily catching up with our no-tech policy. In 2018, several important studies helped crystallize some of the disheartening impacts of social media and screen time on young people.
Interview with Lauren Oakes | Ecologist, Writer and Former Participant
Lauren is a former VISIONS participant who now studies the effects of climate change and tells the important lessons that her research has to teach. Click to see our full interview with Lauren Oakes.
5 Ways to Be More Than a Tourist
View our list of 5 ways to be more than a tourist! These are some of our conscious travel pro-tips from years of working with people from varying backgrounds and perspectives.
Spotlight: Aspen Nord (Participant Photographer)
"I will often choose to set my camera down for special moments, but I love capturing real, raw images of people living their life." VISIONS Peru participant Aspen Nord talks photography and hopes for the future.