References
Upon request VISIONS will send or email you a complete list of references. These are participants from last summer's programs and / or parent and professional references. Contact us at info@VisionsServiceAdventures.com or (800) 813-9283.
Why Check References?
- There are MANY summer options out there for teens. Sometimes it's not clear what makes a program different from another, particularly when you've narrowed the field to one kind of experience. Speaking with past participants of each option might help you better decide which program is the best fit.
- The more perspectives gathered, the more complete the picture. Talking to references helps fill in and verify information you already have. Does VISIONS do what we say we do on our website and in other marketing materials?
- Parents entrust summer program staff with their child(ren). Parents should be satisfied with the staff-to-participant ratio, confident that the leaders are carefully chosen and well trained. Students should know that their leaders like working with and getting to know them.
- A month is a large investment of time and money. It's worth a few minutes to learn a little more about a serious investment firsthand from those who've already invested.
- Information reduces anxiety. Talking to references can help make you more comfortable going into the program. Past participants can tell you about the work, recreation, daily routines and activities, the food, local people and more.
- We do it, too! Why check our references? We do! We speak personally with three former employers for every staff leader we hire before we interview the applicant. After every program, every season, we elicit feedback from our participants and each staff leader. We believe this is key to sustaining the quality of VISIONS.
You are to be commended for your excellent staff and competent programming. We know that this experience will stay with Ethan forever... With our thanks and kudos to all of you.
I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for connecting me with Alberto and his family. In 25 years of doing experiences like this with students, this one in the Dominican Republic was of the highest quality.... the students were thoroughly immersed in a language and culture very different from their own; they had the chance to work alongside students from the DR, colleagues very similar in age and interests. Our young people have returned from the DR with the immense satisfaction of a job well done (we actually built a school room to a very crowded facility) but also with new friends. I know that the summer VISIONS program with Alberto must be an amazing experience – I was thrilled to get a taste and so grateful for your recommendation!
VISIONS has a place in my heart. Adam truly had a life-altering experience. He gives his month away a 10 out of 10. As a mom, what I heard from him filled me with pride and joy and gratitude that he had this eye-opening experience. Thank you for the work that you do.
My friend's daughter just came back from Guadeloupe with VISIONS and had a FANTASTIC time – couldn't say enough good things. She said her daughter woke up in the AM and THANKED her Mom profusely… You run a top notch organization.
I spent 6 summers with VISIONS leading community service programs for teens. While I had some teaching experience, what I really wanted to do was move into the field of international development. Helping VISIONS participants complete concrete service projects was an incredible opportunity and convinced me that a small group of committed people really can make important contributions in developing communities. Now, well over a decade later, as an academic working in international affairs, I look back on my VISIONS summers with deep gratitude for the nurturing guidance and solid experience afforded me and the wonderful friendships with the participants.
I had the most amazing summer of my life. Visions helped me grow in ways I didn't think I could or needed to. This program fits everyone, and in my opinion is essential for everyone. I would recommend Visions to everyone. It changed me. There's hope for everyone.
Our daughters had two marvelous summers (three different programs total). We want to say how much we appreciate the opportunity you have given them to challenge themselves; to take risks; to provide a service and discover that in so doing you are the one who has gained the most! Both returned from their summers far more willing to give of themselves and ready to prepare themselves for a future of international work and living. A gift we could never have provided! Your organization is exemplary.