Montana Northern Cheyenne FAQ

Program Preparation Information

Program Life

COMMUNITY

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

Program Expectations & Zero Tolerance Rules

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.

Health
Please note that the program is based in the town of Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne reservation, and that excursions to other areas include Bighorn National Forest. The hospital in Lame Deer typically only serves tribal members, except in emergency situations. Most medical situations would be treated at the clinic in nearby Ashland or the hospital in Colstrip (a one-hour drive). Serious medical situations would be treated at the full-scale hospital in Billings. Participants carry the medical evacuation policy in case of any emergency during backcountry excursions.

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

Packing List

Please download and print the following packing list:

Link to Northern Cheyenne Packing List (Printable PDF)

Passport / ID
If you are remaining within your home country for the program, travel with a valid ID, as the airline may ask for it. If you don’t have a driver’s license or passport, bring a copy of your birth certificate. Participants who are not U.S. citizens must consult with the appropriate embassy or consulate regarding entry requirements. Please contact the VISIONS office if you need a letter confirming program participation.

Travel

Booking Flights
  • 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.
Trip Insurance
If you wish to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance, please read more here.
Travel Days
  1. Print this information
  2. Review it before the trip
  3. Participant carries a physical copy while traveling (& can save to phone)

Pre-departure Checklist

  1. Make sure that you have reviewed the Pre-Departure Covid Details Document
  2. Take your Covid-19 Nasopharyngeal RT-PCT test within 5 days prior to travel
  3. Register to travel using the BVI Gateway App 24 hours prior to travel
  4. If flying into St. Thomas, register your arrival using the U.S.V.I. Travel Screening Portal
  5. Submit your Forms to VISIONS - your covid test results and a copy of your vaccine card
  6. Print copies of the following: Negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results, BVI Travel Authorization letter, and if flying into St. Thomas - a copy of the QR code from the U.S.V.I. Travel Screening Portal. Have all copies accessible (carry with you!)
  7. Check your airline for schedule changes
  8. Keep your passport or other ID safe & accessible
  9. Have your money / ATM card safe & accessible
  10. Carry your cell phone and charger in your carry-on
  11. Download WhatsApp for Calls Home during the program (participants & parents)
  12. Put your home address (not program address) on your luggage tags
  13. Wear your VISIONS t-shirt on flight day if you can
  14. Carry an optional Parental Consent to Travel form (not mandatory)

Airport Arrival / Customs Instructions

  1. If you have a connection, 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Provide the following info on your Customs form:
    • The primary purpose of the trip is “tourism,” since this is not for a job
    • The address you’ll be staying at is:
      • St. Mary’s Church
      • Virgin Gorda, BVI
  4. 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.
  5. Leaders will be holding obvious orange umbrellas and wearing VISIONS t-shirts!
  6. Once with leaders, participants make a quick “arrival call home.”
    • Note: this call may occur upwards of 2 hrs after the flight lands, as the group may be pressed for time with Covid testing and making a ferry connection.

Airport Issues Help

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

  1. If there are any flight delays that will affect a participant’s arrival time (to the program), participants should contact the VISIONS office immediately.
  2. 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.
  3. If you cannot find leaders in the airport:
    • Remain inside the airport
    • Do not leave the secure pickup area
    • Actively look for leaders holding an orange umbrella and/or wearing VISIONS shirts
    • If after 10 minutes you have not found a leader, call the VISIONS office from a Customer Service desk or your own cell phone (service providers allow temporary phone service activation if needed)

General Departure Logistics

  1. Leaders travel with participants to the departure airport and they will remain on site until all flights have departed.
  2. Leaders will remind participants how to prepare for their return flights (for example: keep cash on hand for baggage fees, and keep your cell phone & charger in your carry-on, etc.)
  3. In the case of changes to return flights, we instruct participants to call parents (or whoever will be picking up). However, the VISIONS office is available for assistance if needed.