VISIONS Service Adventures: British Virgin Islands Program Overview & Recommendation

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Choice Camps Recommendation of VISIONS Service Adventures: British Virgin Islands

Since 1989, VISIONS has introduced thousands of teenagers to cultures very different from their own through construction-based and other service projects, adventurous exploration, and on-site cultural immersion. VISIONS works with local organizations and community residents and undertakes a major construction project and other such outreach efforts. Students learn technical skills from staff carpenters or local maestros as they go – no previous experience is required.

While there are opportunities for students to visit historic sites and enjoy fun cultural pastimes, VISIONS participants more often visit places only known to the locals and do things that tourists never get to experience. Travelers can expect to share meals and mingle with locals who live in communities rarely seen by outsiders.

VISIONS gives students the opportunity to mature thoughtfully and reflectively within a community of peers and adult mentors. VISIONS programs are known to have a profound life-long impact on their participants. With cross-cultural learning and friendship is a core focus. Working with and for host communities is a doorway to learning about others' lives in different cultures – an experience that can’t be found anywhere else.

Trip Description

VISIONS’ British Virgin Islands Service Adventure leads travelers to one of two Caribbean destinations: Tortorla, the commercial center and largest island of the British Virgin Islands, or Virgin Gordo, a smaller, less populous island to the east. At either site, the VISIONS home base is a community or church hall – practical centers for community life.

Travelers are engaged directly with local masons, carpenters, farmers, environmentalists, and diverse public servants. VISIONS projects always include some construction element; past projects include building homes, playgrounds, gazebos, pavilions, rain shelters, walking trails, and more. Non-construction projects vary from designing and painting public murals to harvesting fruits and vegetables in an organic tropical setting.

Of course, VISIONS travelers get to take advantage of the gorgeous Caribbean setting through snorkeling at beaches, hiking in tropical forests, and fishing at local hot-spots. Students will go dancing and sailing, listen to steel drum music on the beach, and play pick-up sports games. Throw in a perfect ocean sunset during a beach barbeque and the stage is set for unforgettable service experience.

Staff Overview

VISIONS boasts a well-rounded staff typically in their mid-to-late twenties. The minimum age of a VISIONS trip leader is 23, and program directors average 28 years of age. With very few exceptions, program directors are veterans of at least one full VISIONS summer session.

VISIONS leaders are typically returned Peace Corps volunteers, Ph.D. candidates, graduate students, educators, and professionals. The staff retention rate typically surpasses an impressive 55%.

Setting & Accommodations

VISIONS students typically live in small groups of 16-25 campers and 4-6 trip leaders in the heart of host communities. While accommodations vary, none are luxurious – travelers often reside in a community building such as a school, church hall, or community center.

VISIONS travelers can expect to sleep on an inflatable or foam mattress with a sleeping bag or cotton sheets. There are private changing areas and indoor plumbing at all VISIONS sites, but with varying degrees of sophistication.

Because conditions vary by trip, Choice Camps recommends you contact a Personal Camp Expert at 781-519-0209 who can connect you directly with a VISIONS trip coordinator to get the most up-to-date program schedule and living accommodations.

Safety Standards

VISIONS program directors arrive on-site 8-10 days before participants and confirm all local medical facilities and doctors in case of emergency; local medical and emergency facilities are identified well ahead of the summer in annual pre-season planning trips to all VISIONS program locations.

All VISIONS staff members hold current first aid or Wilderness First Aid and CPR certifications – the majority have advanced safety concentrations including Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness EMT certifications.