One Village, One Journey: A Week of Discovery, Service, and Growth for Village School Students

TVS Where Rigor Meets Relationship — and Learning Comes to Life

This November, The Village School of Naples Upper School students stepped beyond the classroom walls and into a week of purpose, compassion, and discovery. Experiential Learning Week 2025 invited students to live out the TVS mission — to provide an environment that EMPOWERS and INSPIRES students to think and CREATE solutions to challenges in an ever-changing world.

Our students were involved in immersive service and hands-on exploration both locally and abroad, engaging in meaningful experiences that connected learning to life: serving neighbors, discovering new cultures, and reflecting on the ways faith, knowledge, and compassion intersect to shape who they are becoming.

As part of the One Village, One Journey philosophy, every student engaged in meaningful experiences that connected learning to life: serving neighbors, discovering new cultures, and reflecting on the ways faith, knowledge, and compassion intersect to shape who they are becoming.

Serving Naples: Hands, Hearts, and Helping Others

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

Students partnered with the Naples Therapeutic Riding Center, working alongside staff to paint and mend fences for the center which provides equine-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities. They learned how compassion and patience can build confidence—both for the riders and for themselves—while strengthening the bond between humans and animals.

All Season’s Senior Living Facility

Students volunteered with seniors in assisted living and memory care units at All Season’s Senior Living Facility. Our students built puzzles with the residents, sang songs, participated in Jokes on the Lanai, and helped in movement activities. Some residents shared that this was the best day they have had in a long time. Residents in these communities tend to not get many young visitors, and it not only impacted our students by gaining a different perspective, but the benefited the residents as well.

Meals of Hope

At Meals of Hope, students packed hundreds of bags filled with nutritious food for families in need. “The students came with such a positive attitude and helped us bag 840 potatoes and 631 apples,” shared Community Outreach Manager Julyvette Pacheco. “Their energy and teamwork made a huge difference.”

Empty Bowls Naples

Working with Empty Bowls, students painted and prepared ceramic bowls for the organization’s annual fundraiser to fight hunger in Collier County. Between organizing paintbrushes, sorting supplies, and preparing for community painting events, students saw how creativity can serve a greater cause—turning art into action.

Salvation Army of Naples

At the Salvation Army, students rolled up their sleeves to help sort donations, assist with organization projects, and support the center’s outreach to local families. Their efforts offered a firsthand look at how everyday acts of service strengthen community resilience.

Grace Place for Children and Families

Students at Grace Place volunteered in classrooms and around campus, assisting teachers and staff in programs that empower immigrant families through education. 

Guadalupe Center

In Immokalee, students partnered with the Guadalupe Center, engaging in early childhood classrooms, reading with children, and touring the campus. They witnessed how education transforms communities and had meaningful conversations about opportunity, perseverance, and giving back.
“It was such a pleasure to have them with us,” said Wendy Wagner, Community & Volunteer Engagement Coordinator. “Their enthusiasm brought so much joy to our students.”

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center

At Rookery Bay, students became environmental stewards—clearing trails, removing invasive plants, and learning from conservation specialists about preserving Southwest Florida’s delicate ecosystems.

Keep Collier Beautiful

Several groups joined Keep Collier Beautiful for coastal and community clean-ups, collecting litter and debris while learning about the importance of environmental sustainability. Students completed cleanup reports and reflected on how even small actions can leave a lasting impact.
“They removed sixteen five-gallon buckets of invasive plants,” shared Lauren Hagen of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “We’re so grateful for their hard work and positive attitude!”

Manganni Salvaticus – Commander Leoni’s Camp

At Manganni Salvaticus, also known as Commander Leoni’s Camp, students pushed beyond their comfort zones through outdoor challenges, teamwork, and physical problem-solving. “I saw so many kids come out of their comfort zone,” shared Abby Henning, a chaperone. “They showed courage, leadership, and even prayed together over lunch—it was a beautiful sight.”

On-Campus Service & Beautification

Back on the Village School campus, students contributed to beautification projects and assisted with preparations for the school’s Christmas float. They learned that service begins right at home—building pride in their own campus community.

Exploring the World: Global Experiences

Service in the Dominican Republic

A team of Upper School students traveled to the Dominican Republic for a week of service and cultural exchange. Working alongside local communities, they built relationships, assisted in projects that improved living conditions, and deepened their understanding of global citizenship. Through every shared meal and every smile, they discovered how faith and compassion transcend borders.

Exploring Italy

Another group embarked on an unforgettable journey through Italy—immersing themselves in art, history, and culture. From walking the ancient streets of Rome to visiting Renaissance landmarks in Florence and Venice, students saw firsthand how centuries of creativity, faith, and innovation shape the modern world. Their journey combined lessons they learned in history class with awe-inspiring exploration, embodying the school’s belief that education should ignite wonder.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

From Naples to Florence to the Dominican countryside, Experiential Learning Week 2025 reflected the very heart of The Village School’s mission: to empower and inspire students to think and create solutions in an ever-changing world.

Each student returned not just with stories to tell—but with a deeper sense of gratitude, purpose, and connection. Whether working in our beach community, serving meals to families, or exploring new cultures, they experienced the powerful truth behind One Village, One Journey: when students are known, nurtured, and loved, learning becomes transformation.