You might know a little bit about VISIONS already. VISIONS is an organization that creates and offers teen summer service programs, and summer programs for middle school students, too. More than that, we are a program intent on changing teens’ lives in tangible, long-lasting ways. We believe that one of the best ways to do this is to empower teens to assist others through authentic and challenging community service. Read on to find out how VISIONS achieves our goals and about the elements all VISIONS programs share.

What do we do?VISIONS organizes and runs month-long service-focused, cultural immersion and adventure trips for teens ages 14-18 all over the world. Service comprises 55%-60% of each trip. The rest of the time VISIONS participants mix with our hosts, go on adventures and take side trips to places of rare beauty and interest in the region of our home base location.

What are our groups like? Each group is comprised of up to 25 teens ages 14-18 from across the U.S. and overseas. We are a co-ed program, and the male/female ratio is well balanced.We welcome two friends participating together in a program, but do not knowingly allow three or more friends to be in the same program. The staff-to-student ratio is 1 to 4. Our leaders are at least 23 years old, come from a variety of backgrounds with an assortment of skills, and believe in our service mission. They are adults who are curious about and interested in other cultures and meaningful travel, who like and respect teenagers. The program director, or team leader, is a veteran of at least two VISIONS seasons.

Where do we live? VISIONSprograms are in3 United States and at least 8 countries around the world.In each location, our volunteer groups live and work in host communities, rural villages, to small towns to small enclaves not far from larger cities. We do not do home stays, and we do not stay in fancy hotels. We live, work and socialize continuously with local residents. Each group lives together in a community center, school, church hall or hostel surrounded by local people.

Is language immersion available? Yes, some VISIONS programs offer French or Spanish language immersion, and all of the leaders in these programs are fluent speakers. We require that students have at least 2 years of language instruction before participating in these programs.

Please watch the video on our website and spend some time reading the various sections to find out more about VISIONS and all that we offer.