VISIONS Service Adventures: Montana Blackfeet Reservation

I am a VISIONS student alum that was grateful to participate in three programs with VISIONS, the Northern Cheyenne Montana, British Virgin Islands and Peru. There is a reason why I kept wanting to spend my summers on VISIONS programs, they are the perfect combination of challenging service projects, fun activities and cultural events. My favorite part about these programs was the connections I made with the local partners in each place. I was welcomed into each community and by the end of each program it felt like I had formed meaningful friendships and family with the locals, VISIONS staff and other kids. I still keep in contact with some of the other participants and leaders that I met through VISIONS. These programs also have propelled me into the type of career I want and have been extremely beneficial to include on my resume.

I went to the Montana Blackfeet program and it was the most incredible experience of my life. I loved our leaders and they made everything so fun. I also felt super comfortable with them like I could talk to them. We got to help with a Sundance, which was my favorite part, I lvoed that they trusted us to help with something so sacred and it made me feel like I was part of something that other people don't get to see. I also made really good friends with some of the other kids that I'm gonna have for the rest of my life. I loved everything about it!

I went with visions to Montana and Cambodia it was two of the best experiences I have ever had from the learning about a new culture and see how daily life works for many around the world the work was hard but it was very rewarding doing something for a community in need.

My trip to Montana was 15 days long. It was a good experience to learn about the Blackfeet culture. I am glad that I was able to experience this trip because I learn so much and I was able to learn so much from other people without being attached to my phone.

This summer I lived and volunteered on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation with VISIONS Service Adventures. VISIONS combined my favorite things- travel, learning, and community service. What I love about VISIONS is that the main focus of the trip is volunteering. Although there is still plenty of time to relax and explore, serving the community is the top priority. The weekday was structured around different worksites and projects. Every day we would choose between the different volunteering opportunities: soup kitchens, restocking food pantries, building handicap ramps for elders, repainting buildings… The schedule was very flexible and there were even more opportunities to find new work and take initiative in the community. Besides the work, we also attended many cultural and religious ceremonies. VISIONS has worked with the Blackfeet people for almost thirty years, allowing the VISIONS program access to community celebrations as honored old friends. Knowing so many people in the community really allowed us to fully integrate into the community and got us invited to many sacred rituals. We attended sweat lodges, the sacred Sun Dance ceremony, and multiple powwows. Many of these rituals are not accessible to outsiders, and we were only able to attend these ceremonies because the locals know and trust VISIONS Besides work and cultural opportunities, there was also play. On the weekends we explored Glacier National Park- camping, backpacking, hiking, or swimming in freezing cold glacial lakes. We also attended North American Indian Days, a celebration of native pride. There were little shops and food trucks as well as a huge rodeo. VISIONS had an amazing work-play balance as well as exposing us to a unique culture in a way that made us a part of the community. This was my second summer with VISIONS and I was not disappointed!

Had a great time on the Blackfeet reservation helping there community and learning in the process.I will never forget the friends I’ve made and the experience I’ve had and there is no other way I could of had these experiences.

I recently went on the Blackfeet Montana trip and this trip was super memorable and well organized. I learned many cultural facts about the Blackfeet tribe and many construction skills. My leaders were amazing and made sure everyone had the help they needed. Leaders made the trip unique and fun in a way where everyone had something to do and wasn't bored. I met people from all over the world and made a bond with them that'll last forever.

I embarked on the 27 day visions service trip to Montana and it was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We spent our days helping the local Native American Blackfeet reservation and its wonderful people, and spent our free time engaging in awesome bonding activities, sitting by the campfire and enjoying the grandiose beautiful sky. I also want to give a special shoutout to Nick Nelson who was one of the coolest mountain men Ive ever met and acted as a great role model to all of us. I highly recommend. -Marius Josanu

I had an amazing time with Visions Montana North Cheyenne trip. We performed many different community service projects on the trip, including working with Kids Kollege, building skate ramps, and helping to renovate the community college. The work was extremely rewarding and satisfying because we were having a direct impact on the community. The happiness and gratitude from the locals was nothing I have ever experienced. The look on their faces when we finished our projects was priceless and made all the hard work so worthwhile. I made long lasting connections with the people on this trip, as well as the locals in Lame Deer. This trip made me grow in confidence, and get out of my comfort zone ,something that I never would have imagined I was able to do. I also loved being exposed to a new culture and community that was so dramatically different from my own. This trip will always have a special place in my heart. If you are considering going on this trip, go, I promise you will surprise yourself with the positive and long term effect it will have on you.

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One of my friends during our trip with VISIONS to Montana Northern Cheyenne described our experience, our short eighteen days as our own little infinity of time. It was meant as an offhanded pop-culture reference, but I saw a lot of truth in it. VISIONS was a little infinity of memories and moments that will stay with me for a lifetime. So instead of posting another general review (there are a couple posted here for VISIONS Montana already), I want to share with you some of my favorite personal recollections from that little infinity of time. Hopefully they will capture my experience, and hopefully they will encourage you to consider going with VISIONS to the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. We lived in Lame Deer's preschool, where we made meals together. The first time, my homebase crew struggled for hours to assemble sweet potato enchiladas, laughing and talking the whole time. That first attempt was widely considered a disaster, but when we were told that we were going to make the hardest dinner in a couple days, our staff member said, "Oh bring it on." I remember working with a friend to load wood trim (for the community college library bathroom we were working on) onto Terry, the old, white truck VISIONS owned that all the boys loved fondly. I remember the list of people banned hung next to the door of Lame Deer grocery store, and wondering about the story behind each name. I remember the noodles we ate at the top of the mountain after a long, long day of hiking, and thinking that I'd never tasted better food in my life. I remember sitting in the passenger seat as we headed for Colstrip for supplies, singing Taylor Swift at the top of our lungs. I remember leaning back in my Crazy Creek on the last night, as the sun set, and looking around at the beautiful fields that stretched for miles around me and thinking that there was absolutely no other place I would rather be.

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27 days, this long trip without my family really makes me grow so much. Also, it's the first time I do this kind of volunteer work such as building, painting, and so on. The whole experience was refreshing me and making me think of my life and my future. This trip also makes me not too shy like I was. To be honest, the feeling of using your own hands to help others satisfy me the most. All I want to say is: I really miss everyone who was in that program with me and this will be the most memorable experience in my life. If you choose it, you will never regret.

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Oh my gosh! If you are looking for something absolutely amazing to do with your summer, I recommend VISIONS Montana for you. The staff consists of kind, helpful people, the participants are wonderful, and the service that you do really affects the community in a positive way. It's a very worthwhile opportunity, and chances are you'll leave there feeling better than you ever have, along with wanting to come back.