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Summer Program Reviews

Sep 26, 2010

Talk to References When Choosing Summer Community Service Programs

Summer community service programs for high school students. Community service abroad for teens. Travel programs. However one searches, whichever key words one chooses to Google, there will be many opportunities that come up on the screen. How does one choose? Where does one start? What to ask? If parents, especially, do not know other parents who have sent their children on teen volunteer programs, starting the search for such an experience can be daunting.

After high school students and parents read through materials and talk to the organizations, they usually narrow down to a few programs that are a potential ‘fit’.  In the end, we always tell prospective participants and their parents to talk to references. They are the best spokespersons for VISIONS. If we could, we also would include among our references the many individuals and organizations in the communities in which we work, some of whom we’ve known for nearly two decades.

If you take no other advice or use no other criterion when choosing a teen community service program, at least do this. Speak to references, and speak to more than a couple. We remember a parent who said, “Yes, but the references will only say good things... that's why you have them as references." Fair enough. Still, if you are determined to dig around when speaking to references, if you think carefully about and make a list of what you want to know and then frame your questions in a way that requires specifics, you get a sense of the experience.

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VISIONS is proud to be mentioned in Readers' Digest!

May 22, 2009

VISIONS was included in "40 Great Travel Bargains", which appears in the June 2009 issue of Reader's Digest. RD asked 25 travel experts for their advice across several travel categories ranging from "Best Big Cities" to "Sun & Sand". For the category "Hobbies and Helping" there is a section titled "The World". VISIONS is one of three programs recommended and the only teen-specific community service summer program.

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Airplane Rules on Summer Service Programs

Apr 21, 2006

Aaahhh, yes, the Airplane Rules…the name we lovingly bestow upon our bottom lines during the summer.  Airplane Rules define and govern the behaviors that VISIONS simply will not tolerate on our trips.  You have heard about them if you had a home visit.  You all have read about them in the brochure and enrollment contract you signed.  There are gentle reminders of their existence in every mailing we send out ahead of the summer.  Airplane Rules refer to zero-tolerance activities—no alcohol, no drugs, no tobacco products, no sexual relations, no demeaning of others—which, earn one a seat on the next airplane home if the Rules are broken.

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Safety when Traveling Abroad

May 11, 2001

A lot of thought and preparation goes into ensuring the safest summer possible for our participants.   Starting with how we choose a new program site, we consider everything from political climate to vehicle maintenance.

  1. Choosing a site
    Families often ask why we are in the locations we are.  Primarily, we choose sites because one of our full-time or trusted long-time directors has a strong connection, passion for or interest in the place.  After networking, numerous phone calls, emails, letters and faxes, we then travel to the potential site on a preliminary “scout” trip for at least one or two weeks.  We meet face to face with community members, local leaders, government officers.  We consider the quality and authenticity of potential projects, the potential for meaningful community interactions, and interesting outdoor exploration opportunities.  We also consider our perceived sense of safety, the proximity of emergency health care, the availability of provisions, the political climate of the area.  We describe our programs in detail as we talk candidly with local people about their thoughts on hosting us.  We do not pursue a program in an area in which we feel unwelcome or consider to be unsafe.  Furthermore, we will not continue to travel to a particular location if our perception of safety declines.
     
  2. Staying informed
    VISIONS maintains year-round contact with members of local communities.  We are aware of local current events and politics.  We pay close attention to
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Guide to Keeping Student Volunteers Healthy

May 11, 2001

We take great care to keep teenagers healthy in the varied domestic and foreign communities in which we work.  We carefully refine tried and true procedures and implement new ones as experience, information, and advances in health science indicate.  The following are a few rudimentary guidelines and some precautions we take.

  1. Throughout the year we consult the Centers for Disease Control online (www.cdc.gov) about all program destinations, especially those overseas.  The web site is a solid source of general information and easy to navigate.  We keep names and numbers of a few CDC physicians and contacts for personal consultation if need be.
  2. Every VISIONS program has two first aid kits fully stocked (big fishing tackle boxes) and two fanny pack first aid kits.  We stock most of the contents here in PA before sending to the programs, developing sites especially where simple things like Band-Aids or over-the-counter medications may not be readily available.  Most programs also stock baby wipes for occasions when we can’t readily wash our hands.  Our lists of emergency contact numbers—local doctors, hospitals, emergency response, police, etc.—are re-checked annually at all sites before participants arrive.  The lists are in all first aid boxes, in our living space, and carried on each staff member’s person at all times. 
  3. All sites have a copy of the excellent resource, Where there Is No Doctor, and
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