British Virgin Islands FAQ

When we refer to the community of participants and leaders in VISIONS, we mean it as best defined by M. Scott Peck in “The Different Drum”: A group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to . . . delight in each other, make others' conditions (their) own.

On a VISIONS program, we place a premium on building a sense of community and getting to know everyone in the group. Sometimes, community might mean “neighborhood.” On a deeper level, it can mean creating a kind of family out of strangers, and it is this sense of community that we strive to create among our groups.

Community also means embracing your responsibilities within the group, respecting others, communicating clearly, and living cooperatively. To encourage growth in each of those areas, your group will meet three or four nights a week for about an hour to speak and listen to each other. We reflect on the day, including the volunteer and cultural experiences, and sometimes also use the time to hash out issues and iron out differences. This is a time to communicate openly and to listen to others’ perspectives. It can also be an occasion for us to see how others perceive us, which is a valuable gift.

Through this, we stand to gain insight as well as more effective communication skills, which are as useful as the physical skills we learn each day.

There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability;

there can be no peace — and ultimately no life — without community.

- Scott Peck

Code of Ethics

• Travel with a spirit of humility and a genuine desire to meet and talk with local people.
• Be aware of the feelings of others. Act respectfully and avoid offensive behavior, including when taking photographs.
• Cultivate the habit of actively listening and observing rather than merely hearing and seeing. Avoid the temptation to “know all the answers.”
• Realize that others may have concepts of time and attitudes that are different—not inferior—to those you inherited from your own culture.
• Instead of looking only for the exotic, discover the richness of another culture and way of life. Learn local customs and respect them.
• Spend time each day reflecting on your experiences in order to deepen your understanding. Is your enrichment beneficial for all involved?

Compiled by The North American Center for Responsible Tourism, San Anselmo, CA

Participant Contract: “VISIONS expects that all participants understand that they will be asked to put the group’s needs ahead of their own. Participants are ambassadors for VISIONS while in our host communities, and are expected to uphold an ethic of service and goodwill. Appropriate, considerate conduct, and respect for program policies are essential. We live and work in the public eye, and appropriate behavior, language, and clothing are necessary. Participants assume responsibility for their conduct and their part in creating a productive group experience.”

VISIONS leaders create opportunities for participants to succeed, easily behave within our expectations, and have a healthy, fulfilling experience. We want families to be aware of some of the ingredients we view as fundamental to a successful experience for all involved. 

Zero Tolerance “Airplane” Rules

VISIONS is a Zero Tolerance program regarding (1) consumption, possession, or attempted possession of alcohol or drugs/illegal substances; (2) sexual activity—meaning conduct deemed unacceptable in public places. These activities result in loss of community service hours and immediate dismissal, and thus are referred to as our Airplane Rules. Remember that VISIONS focuses on an inclusive group dynamic, so cliques and romances are out of sync with the goal of a powerful and life-changing experience..

#VISIONSdressCode 

Participants need to pack according to the dress code, which is appropriate for the cultural standards in our communities. As collaborative partners, insensitivity to the dress code undermines local relationships and means that the participant will have limited access to the clothing they have brough (i.e.: will need to wear pants instead of short shorts).

Getting Enough Sleep

We work hard and pack a lot of activities into many of the days. To keep everyone healthy and energized, we establish a set “lights out” time. Participants are welcome to use a headlamp to read after lights out, but we suspect that you will welcome the sleep. There are occasional exceptions to the bedtime, including staying up for a community social event.

Appropriate Language

Participants are expected to speak to each other and leaders respectfully and avoid inappropriate language. If a participant needs repeated reminders about respectful communication, it will be grounds for a Behavior Contract and/or reduced service hours. 

Work Ethic

We respect the decision to be part of an ambitious service trip and we expect participants to uphold their commitment to the work at hand. Not everyone will have the same capabilities or endurance, but we look forward to seeing each person push themselves and contribute in ways that will make them proud and achieve our shared goals!

Please feel free to review the Enrollment Contact that each primary parent/guardian signs upon registering for a VISIONS program.

We also suggest that you review the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for the British Virgin Islands. Please note that the program is based on the island of Virgin Gorda. There are clinics on Virgin Gorda and a hospital on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.

To learn more about health and risk management on VISIONS programs, please refer to this FAQ link.

While VISIONS leaders do not post constant updates from the field (their primary job being to be fully present with the program and kids), a few times a week they do post photos and updates to VISIONS Facebook and Instagram pages.

Communication

Kids make a quick call home upon being met by a VISIONS leader at the airport. (For international sites, we encourage kids and parents to download WhatsApp on your phones before the program.) After that, participants’ phones are collected for the duration of the program and families are encouraged to follow program updates through our social media. 

Parents are also called if a participant is taken to a clinic or if another situation deems calling home.

For urgent matters and questions during the summer, parents may of course call the VISIONS office at 406-551-4423. During off-hours, a 24-hour number is provided on the office message system (so please don’t hang up if you get to voicemail).

Mailing Address

We don’t receive mail on the program. If you need to send something to your child, please contact the VISIONS office.

Participants can make a difference for animal welfare by taking a puppy or kitten home. Another volunteer will meet you at your home airport or another predetermined place to transfer the animal to an adopted home or pre-selected shelter. All arrangements are taken care of by PAW BVI (read more here). There is a form to complete If you’d like to participate, complete the form on that link at least two weeks before your program start date.

It’s endearing and fun to transport an animal, especially knowing that there aren’t resources for most of them on-island.

• The VISIONS designated travel agent is Aileen Setiawan at Discover Travel, 215.925.6174 or aileen@discovertravelinc.com
• VISIONS strongly recommends that flights are booked with Aileen since she has the arrival and departure parameters as well as an overview of all participants’ itineraries in order to facilitate travel days. It is not guaranteed that there will be more than one participant on every flight, but participants booking flights through Aileen will be placed on the same travel itineraries whenever possible.
• If families choose not to book with Aileen, the itinerary must be submitted to VISIONS for approval prior to booking. Neither VISIONS nor our travel agent will be able to assist with travel issues associated with flights booked through an alternative option.
• In cases of flight delays or changed flight dates, Aileen is a resource, but there will also be instances when parents may need to call an airline to assist.
• Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service is required by some airlines for minors who are not traveling with an adult. Aileen will inform you of the requirements, and please also check the regulations of your carrier. UM assistance is arranged directly with the airline, but you will need to share the details with VISIONS so we can pass it along to program leaders. If you are not booking with Aileen and are booking directly with the airline using miles, the airline might not advise you of the UM requirement, which can cause last minute issues at the airport. It is each family’s responsibility to take care of UM requirements well in advance of travel day.

• Copy, paste & print the information below for participant to take while traveling
• Parent & participant review it together before the trip

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Keep your passport or other ID safe & accessible
• Have your money / debit card safe & accessible
• Carry your cell phone and charger in your carry-on (rather than packing in checked bags)
• Download WhatsApp (participants & parents)
• Put your home address (not program address) on your luggage tags
• Wear your VISIONS t-shirt on flight day if you can
• Notarized Minor Consent to Travel Form – Please note that VISIONS does not require you to submit the form to our office. Instead, each participant should carry it during travel. Some airlines may deny travel to minors without the notarized form, as it’s increasingly common to ensure parental/guardian consent.

Airport Arrival / Customs Instructions

• If you have a connection during your travels, go directly to the gate of the next flight, even if it’s a long connection. Check the flight screens for the gate number; ask for help from airport personnel as needed. 
• Whether you are arriving to St. Thomas or Beef Island, both are small airports and you will simply follow everyone else from your flight to the baggage claim. 
• Provide the following info on your Customs form:
  • The primary purpose of the trip is “tourism”
  • The address where you’ll be staying is: St. Mary’s Church; Church Hill Road, Valley, Virgin Gorda
• You will then exit the secure area where your VISIONS leaders will be waiting for you here. Don’t leave the building or airport area until locating your leaders.
  • There are often a lot of people here, so it’s important that you actively look for your leaders.
• Once with leaders, participants make a quick “arrival call home.” Note: This call may occur upwards of 2 hrs after the flight lands due to the time it takes to get through Customs, and we sometimes collect bags before making the calls. Kids do not make another call once they reach our homebase since they are now with leaders. 
• You will need to bring $40 in cash for the following: $10 USVI Departure Tax (unless you are flying directly to the BVI), $10 BVI Environmental Levy Fee, and $20 BVI Departure Tax.
  

Airport Issues Help

The VISIONS office is available 24/7 while participants are traveling at +1 (406) 551-4423.

• If there are any flight delays that will affect a participant’s arrival time (to the program), participants should contact the VISIONS office immediately. 
• If bags are lost, leaders will do their best to handle it on the spot and will be in touch with parents if assistance is needed.
• If you cannot find leaders in the airport: 
  • Remain inside the airport
  • Do not leave the secure pickup area
  • If after 10 minutes you have not found a leader, call the VISIONS office

Departure Day

Leaders help participants check in to their flights, see them through security, and remain in the vicinity of the airport until each flight has departed. Parents are welcome to check their child in online (and pay for bag) beforehand and text the e-ticket to their child, but this extra step isn’t necessary. Participants should have their ATM or credit card to pay for any baggage fees, if needed.

Participants’ phones are returned to them upon arrival at the airport.