Values & Philosophies

Our Mission: To live in harmony with ourselves, each other and the natural world.

VISIONS programs are built on the foundation of three fundamental values:

    • Connection. Forge connections with the self, others and that natural world in ways that build empathy and make us whole.
    • Communication. Foster clear and honest communication that becomes the bedrock for meaningful relationships.
    • Engagement. Actively and fearlessly strive to make a positive difference for other people, living creatures and the earth.

Read the following stories to see how our programs embody these values.

How to Choose a Summer Program

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

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 . . .

A Closer Look at VISIONS Foundation

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)

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…

5 Ways to Be More Than a Tourist

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.

Helping Young People Soar

Helping Young People Soar

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.

Grow Your Grit with VISIONS

Grow Your Grit with VISIONS

What trait offers the best chance at future happiness and success? Not a high IQ. Not even innate talent. According to the educational research, it’s “grit.” At VISIONS, we’re well acquainted with grit. Over the last 30 years, we’ve watched our participants build it right before our very eyes.

Thoughts on VISIONS Values

Thoughts on VISIONS Values

Defining our organization’s values allows everything else to flow from those things; leader interviews and hiring, teen service projects, where we work, who is accepted to our programs, and how we carry ourselves in the field and in the world.

Summers with Substance

Summers with Substance

How Summer Programs Can Further Learning Summers with Substance How Summer Programs Can Further Learning Summers with Substance As a parent preparing for my child’s upcoming summer vacation, I’m always on edge about the summer learning loss, also known as...