Important Dates

Be sure all of your forms and payment are completed by their assigned deadline:

April 12: Full payment and all required forms 

Students registered after these deadlines are expected to complete form requirements and make payment within 48 hours of registration.

April 20: Program Confirmation (on or before April 20)

Don't buy your plane tickets until you receive a program confirmation. 

Monday, May 8 at 8 p.m. EST: Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation Session

REGISTER TODAY

There will be a mandatory online program orientation for you and a member of your family on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 8 p.m. EST, so please plan accordingly to be able to attend. You will receive an email invitation to this information session that will include a link to register. To participate in this orientation, you will need access to a computer or smartphone (no webcam is necessary, but useful if you’d like to use it).

Checklists

You should log in to your student portal to complete your pre-program requirements. Parents/guardians also receive a checklist of items to complete, sent via email, so please remind them to check their email accounts for this important information that requires action.

The usernames and passwords associated with your Brown email address will be needed prior to and during your course time. Please be sure to document all usernames and passwords.

Forms

Forms are submitted electronically through DocuSign, an electronic signature provider where you can digitally complete and sign your required forms and waivers, as well as upload your required Physician’s Immunization and Medical Record, signed by a medical provider. Most forms include sections for both students and parents/guardians to complete.

Accessibility Services

If applicable, you may request accommodations based on a learning, psychological and/or physical disability, including medical conditions, temporary injuries and food allergies. Please be aware that all accommodation requests will be considered, however, there may be limits as to what can be provided without sufficient notice. Be sure to submit your requests using the Medical Authorization and Health History Form by April 12. Please also indicate dietary preferences, including vegetarians and vegans, to allow us to plan accordingly. We will work with the staff to make accommodations for dietary restrictions and food allergies if we are notified in advance. Please email accessibility@brown.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Communicating with Classmates

All students will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and get to know their peers during pre-departure orientation, on Canvas and on the first day of the program. 

COVID-19 Information 

Please visit our FAQ page for updates and information about Brown Pre-College Programs preparedness, action and response to COVID-19. Students attending BELL Programs are expected to follow the same Health and Safety Protocols as students attending on-campus programs. There may be additional protocol implemented by a partner lodging site, field trip or local airport. Any additional information specific to this program will be provided on this page once finalized.

Important Packing Tips

• There is limited space in the dorm rooms: bring only what you need. Soft-sided bags are best for fitting in small spaces. Reminder: most airlines charge extra for luggage weighing over 50 lbs.
• Weather can vary significantly. Please check the weather in Anchorage (Zip code: 99508), Homer (99603) and Soldotna (99669) prior to packing. Some evenings during the program may dip into temperatures as low as 40°F (5°C). 
• Rain gear is important because it will almost certainly rain during the program. Good rain gear would consist of: a poncho and/or rain jacket, nylon pants or shorts, waterproof shoes (i.e., hiking boots), “quick-dry” materials on all clothing and rain pants. Rain pants can be relatively inexpensive and will make you feel a lot more comfortable during lessons in the rain. Our outdoor activities will continue, rain or shine.
• Bring clothing that is easily washable or that you do not mind getting dirty.
• It is best to dress in layers during BELL. For example, you might end up wearing leggings or long pants, rain pants, a T-shirt, a long sleeve shirt, a rain jacket and hiking boots. On other days, you may be wearing quick-dry shorts, a T-shirt and a rain jacket. 
• You do not have to buy any new gear for this trip, but if you are interested in learning more about one way to dress in layers, this link provides some good advice. However, please adhere to the detailed packing list provided below.
• For three nights of the program, you will be staying at the Peterson Bay Field Station, where you will be asked to pack “light.” This will require you to leave most of your belongings safely locked in the program bus cargo in Homer, Alaska. You will pack a smaller bag of essential items and bring only what you need for the three night stay at the field station. 
• There is no access to laundry facilities during BELL: Alaska, so you should pack enough clothing to last the entire program.

What is Provided

For the first part of BELL Alaska, you will reside in a dorm building at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. You will stay in shared suites equipped with private bathrooms. These rooms will include typical college furniture: a bed, desk and chair, dresser, trash can and access to wireless internet. You are also provided with the following:

• Bed sheets
• Pillow and pillow case
• Blankets
• Bathroom towels
• Some toiletries (hand soap and body soap)

During the three-night stay at the Peterson Bay Field Station in Homer, Alaska, you will stay in a shared yurt with nearby access to private bathrooms with sinks and composting toilets. You will be provided with a twin bed and will need to supply your own linens, blankets, towels and toiletries.

On the last night of the program, you will stay at a hotel in Anchorage, Alaska to accommodate a smoother departure day. You will stay in a private or shared hotel room equipped with linens, towels and a private bathroom.

What to Bring

Required Items 

• 1 suitcase or duffle bag for all items. If you can’t carry it, it is too big/heavy.
• 1 sleeping bag 
• 1 fitted sheet for a twin mattress
• Pillow (or to reduce bulk, bring a pillow case and stuff it with clothes)
• 1 bath towel
• Small day/backpack that can be used on hikes and as a carry-on for airplane
• Sturdy, closed toe shoes that can be worn for hiking (hiking boots are not required; shoes may get muddy/dirty)
• Sleepwear
• Underwear
• Socks
• 3 to 6 pairs of pants and/or leggings (quick-dry material preferred) 
• 3 to 5 pairs of shorts 
• Polar fleece and/or warm layers 
• 2 to 3 long sleeve shirts for layering
• T-shirts
• Warm hat (e.g., a beanie)
• Good rain gear (both rain jacket and rain pants)
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Sunglasses
• Wristwatch (preferably waterproof)
• Flip flops or other types of shower shoes
• Sunblock (purchase of reef-safe and/or mineral-based products are encouraged)
• Any prescribed medications and a copy of original prescription
• Government-issued photo ID (for airplane)
• Blank journal and writing implements
• Small flashlight or headlamp
• Toothbrush, toiletries (we recommend using small sample sizes that can be purchased at drug stores or using items provided by hotels) and period hygiene products
• Reusable water bottle 
• Dining supplies, including one large plate, one bowl, one fork, one spoon, mug and reusable napkin (lightweight, non breakable items are recommended)
• Phone and phone charger
• You will need a smaller bag for a three-night trip to the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies’ Peterson Bay Field Station.

Optional Items

• Extra blanket and/or sleeping bag for University of Alaska
• Light gloves
• Antihistamines (such as calamine lotion, Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl to treat mosquito bites)
• Insect repellant
• Eye mask and ear plugs to sleep more comfortably
• Plastic bags to store wet or dirty items
• Camera
• Art supplies
• Musical instrument
• Your favorite board game
• Book to read/independent leisure activities
• Your preferred snacks

What Not to Bring

You may NOT bring pets or weapons of any sort, including pocket or Swiss army knives. You should not bring computers, tablets or other valuable electronics. Please note: Students will not have time to use their personal laptops and will not have access to computers on site. 

Spending Money

All your food and housing is covered in the program fee as well as entry fees to various sites. You will only need money while you are traveling to and from Alaska. We will have one or two occasions to purchase souvenirs, if you so choose, and those can be purchased with cash or, in most cases, credit or debit cards.

Flight Purchase

This program is full and very likely to run. We advise that you do not purchase your plane ticket until you hear from Pre-College that this program is officially confirmed. Please consider purchasing travel insurance along with your flight.

Airport Pickup/Drop-Off 

Anchorage International Airport (Airport Code: ANC)

Strict Arrival and Departure Times

This program has strict arrival and departure windows for airport pick-up and drop-off. Please keep in mind that our staffing model does not accommodate student travel outside of our arrival and departure windows. If a student is on a flight outside of the provided time windows, they will need to arrange for their own transportation to meet up with the group upon arrival/or depart for their flight at the conclusion of the program. Students who arrange travel within the provided time windows will be included in all group transportation to and from the program site.

Unaccompanied Travel Statement

In recent years, bus, train and airline carriers have instituted a range of policies related to unaccompanied minors traveling. As such, Brown Pre-College Programs are unable to meet many of these new requirements. Program staff can support students upon arrival after clearing customs and at departure upon reaching security.

Communication with Families 

At the beginning of the program, staff will send out an email to confirm that all students have arrived safely in Anchorage and have started to build community together at BELL. 

At the end of the program, after students are through the security gates at the Anchorage airport (or have met with family members at the airport), the program staff will send out another email to confirm that students have started their journeys home.

Please note that these emails will be sent out to the parent/guardian email address that we have on file. If you have an alternative email address that you’d like included in this list, please contact the BELL: On Site Director once the program begins or contact the Program Director (jane_diener@brown.edu) before the program begins.

Flight Delays

If you experience a delay while traveling to Anchorage, please call or text the BELL: Alaska On-Site Director with your new arrival time. Please note: This number will be published here once available but will not be active until a few days before the program starts. This number will also be shared during the Pre-Departure Orientation Session.

You will meet BELL: Alaska staff at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Baggage Claim between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. 

BELL staff will only be at the airport to meet students during the scheduled arrival window. Staff will be wearing Brown University Pre-College t-shirts. Once everyone has arrived, the group will travel together to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). 

If a program address is needed for customs purposes, please use the following address. Students cannot receive mail or packages while in the program.

University of Alaska, Anchorage 
Event Services
3700 Sharon Gagnon Ln. 6-102
Anchorage, Alaska 99508

Safety and Supervision

You will have clear guidelines regarding where you can go alone or with a buddy. Staff are available for support and assistance 24 hours a day. Despite many students being experienced and competent travelers, the BELL staff expects all students to stay with the group at all times and provide notice if they need to separate from the group for any reason.

Communication During the Program

To contact us in an emergency, parents/guardians may call the BELL AK On-Site Director at 401-749-3841. This number will also be shared during the Pre-Departure Orientation Session. At certain times during the program, students and/or staff may experience lapses in cell phone service. Staff will be checking the program phone often to return missed phone calls or text messages as soon as they are able. 

Cell Phone Policy

We try to stay tuned in to each other and to our natural surroundings throughout the program, so we ask that the use of mobile devices (for phone calls, texting, social media etc.) be limited to free time in the evening. Letting go of the frequent connection to our phones helps us form a community and adjust to a new environment more quickly.

Swimming During BELL

BELL: Alaska does not include any swimming, however students will be spending a lot of time near bodies of water. Students should feel comfortable on a boat and near bodies of water. For example, students will not be permitted to swim while staying at the Peterson Bay Field Station, but will be brought to the Field Station on a 30 minute boat ride.

Personal Health and Medical Emergencies

The BELL: Alaska program is a physically taxing program involving significant exertion in the outdoors. For your safety and comfort during the program, we expect participants to fully disclose any and all pre-existing medical conditions on required medical forms.

In a medical emergency, you will be transported to a nearby hospital. All of our activities take place within 2 hours of a hospital. For minor problems, we have a well-equipped first aid kit and staff trained in First Aid.

Prescription Medications

You are responsible for safely storing and taking your own prescription medication. If you are not accustomed to managing your own medication, you should work with your family to determine the best approach to do so during the program. All students who are taking prescription medications should bring prescribed medication in its original container and a copy of their prescription (which can be an electronic copy). Having a copy of the original prescription will enable us to replace medication if needed. Students with life-saving asthma and anaphylaxis medications (e.g., inhalers, epi-pens) must keep them on their person at all times. 

Dietary and Medical Conditions

You must communicate significant food allergies that require meal accommodations (e.g. gluten, shellfish, soy, eggs, milk) on the Medical Authorization and Health History Form and the BELL Dietary Support Form by April 12. Please also indicate any dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan diets, to allow us to plan accordingly. We will work with the staff to make accommodations for dietary restrictions and food allergies if we are notified in advance. 

Housing

For most of the program, we will be sleeping in dorm spaces where students will be housed with other BELL students. Our dorm host will be University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). Students will have access to community or shared private bathrooms with private showers.

For three nights at the end of the program, you will stay at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) Peterson Bay Field Station, where you will sleep in yurts without running water or electricity. However, there is a permanent lodge visible and in walking distance of the yurts with electricity, running water, composting toilets and a group space in case of bad weather. The lodge is also where you will work with staff to cook your own meals during their stay at CACS (no previous cooking experience needed). This facility does not have showers.

For the last night of the program, you will stay at a hotel near the Anchorage airport to help make departure day a little easier.

Itinerary

You will  receive a detailed schedule upon arrival. You must attend all days of the program in order to qualify for the individualized program evaluation from BELL staff. In addition to three meals per day, some free time and transportation to and from site visits, this schedule provides an idea of what the program will entail. Note that this schedule is subject to change.

BELL Action Plans

With support from faculty and peers at BELL, you will create an Action Plan to apply your new leadership knowledge to an issue in your home community. Creating an Action Plan is an opportunity for you to reflect critically on what you’ve learned and to delve deeper into issues that you find particularly compelling. There are many types of Action Plans, but what is most important is that you identify a project that: addresses a need, interests you and seems feasible given your personal circumstances. While you do not need to prepare anything prior to arriving at BELL, you may want to think about some issues related to your community and come to BELL with some ideas for Action Plan topics. At BELL, you will participate in Action Plan workshops that guide you through a step by step approach to developing your project.

Curfew

Our days are busy, requiring the students’ energy and attention throughout the day. Although we require students to be in their rooms by curfew at 10 p.m., we respect the students’ ability to choose when to go to sleep. 

Due to the proximity to the Arctic Circle, it will be light until midnight with only 2 to 3 hours of darkness before dawn. You may choose to bring a sleeping mask to create a darker environment if you have trouble sleeping in light.

Fellow Students 

You are encouraged to come to BELL with an open mind to meeting new people with diverse and varied perspectives. Each student accepted to BELL brings with them their own experiences and the cohort comes together to create a fascinating community.

Photos

Students are encouraged to upload photos to a shared Google folder once the program begins. Students will gain access to this folder closer to the program start date.

Class Attendance

Students are required to attend class. Absence or inactivity within your course may result in a dismissal from the program. Students dismissed for reasons of absence or inactivity will not be refunded.

You are responsible for abiding by all pre-college policies and guidelines while participating in the program. These include policies listed on the policy page as well as any policies shared with you by program staff and instructors. Please review our financial policies, including payment and refund information.

You will receive a Course Performance Report from your instructor and you in turn will be asked to complete a course evaluation upon completion of the course. If you successfully complete your program you will receive a Certificate of Completion. All completion materials including the Course Performance Report will be sent out in September. The certificate will be sent via US Mail to your listed address and the Course Performance Report will be sent electronically to the email address we have on file for you.

For departure, staff will accompany and help students check in to their departing flights at the  Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Alaska Standard Time on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. 

At the end of the program, staff will transport the students back to the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Staff will help students check-in to their flights and find the security checkpoint. Once you are through security, you are responsible for communicating with your parents/guardians and managing your flight home. 

If a program address is needed for customs purposes, please use the following address. Students cannot receive mail or packages while in the program.

University of Alaska, Anchorage 
Event Services
3700 Sharon Gagnon Ln. 6-102
Anchorage, Alaska 99508