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
Family members may call the BELL Rhode Island On-Site Director with urgent requests or concerns at 401-749-3828. This number will also be shared during the Pre-Departure Orientation Session.
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
Students are not permitted to swim outside of supervised lessons or without the use of a life vest. Students may choose to swim at the Nelson Fitness Center, where there is a lifeguard, during their designated free time. For example, when students are attending a field trip on Block Island, they will be participating in water-based environmental science lab work that may have them wading in water up to their waist. While staying at a campground for a three-night retreat, students will not be allowed to swim in the property’s lake.
Fellow Students/Program Cohort
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.
Housing
The BELL: Rhode Island program is located at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. You will be staying in one of the residence halls at Brown University. You will be assigned up to one roommate, though most students will be staying in a single dorm space. You will share private bathrooms located in the hallway of the dorm.
For three nights in the middle of the program, you will stay in an individual tent at Camp Aquapaug in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. You will have access to running water and bathrooms near the campsite. You will be preparing and cooking some of your own meals with the help of the BELL staff (no previous cooking experience needed).
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in two of Brown’s dining halls daily. Three meals a day are included in the cost of residential program fees. You will also eat some meals off campus during certain site visits and during your three-night camping retreat.
Dining Services Information
There are resources to help you with food-related allergies, dietary restrictions and other needs for accommodations to navigate the options in the dining halls. Prior to arrival, you should familiarize yourself with Brown’s dining website which provides information about the various dietary options available. This site also includes icons for specific food types (e.g. gluten free) that are consistent with those found in the on-campus dining locations. Brown offers a variety of options and signage that allow many students to manage without additional accommodations. Students with any food restrictions are encouraged to utilize the Brown Dining My Meal site while on-campus. This tool is designed to help you make educated food choices in Brown’s dining halls and includes specific ingredients used in all available dishes.
If you have a food allergy, dietary restriction or a need for another accommodation please indicate this on your Medical Authorization and Health History Form and BELL Dietary Support Form by April 12. The University’s Dietician or a program director will reach out to you directly to offer to discuss your dining options. Options could include using an online special meal request system, access to the Allergen Friendly Pantry and guidance navigating the online information and dining halls. In addition, temporary dining accommodations can be provided using a Chef's card that is available on request when you swipe into the main dining hall, the Sharpe Refectory (Ratty). These cards can be used to request a special meal if you arrive on a weekend and have not yet formally arranged accommodations. These cards will enable you to request a meal that is gluten-free or free of the following allergens: shellfish, soy, dairy, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, alcohol and fish.
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. Housing is at Brown University unless otherwise noted.
Day 1
Arrival Day and Orientation
|
Day 2:
Orientation continued; community building; lessons at Brown University
|
Day 3
Tomaquag Museum field trip; Lessons at Brown University
|
Day 4
Lessons at Brown University; packing for overnight retreat
|
Day 5
Housing: Tent at Camp Aquapaug
- Travel to overnight retreat campsite; set up campsite; opening campfire
|
Day 6
Housing: Tent at Camp Aquapaug
- Overnight retreat continued; day trip to Block Island
|
Day 7
Housing: Tent at Camp Aquapaug
- Overnight retreat continued; lesson rotations on site at campground; group will also cook meals together
|
Day 8
Pack up campsite; travel back to Brown University
|
Day 9
Lessons at Brown University
|
Day 10
Lessons at Brown University
|
Day 11
Day trip to Round the Bend Farm
|
Day 12
Action Plan presentation preparation; BELL Closing Traditions
|
Day 13
BELL Closing Traditions continued; Action Plan Presentations; students depart
|
|
Curfew
Our days are busy, requiring the students’ energy and attention throughout the day. Although we require students to be in their hallway by 10 p.m. and in their rooms by curfew at 10:30 p.m. (until at least 6 a.m. the next morning), we respect the students’ ability to choose when to go to sleep.
This is an example of a typical day at BELL
Curfew Ends |
6 a.m. |
Breakfast |
8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. |
Community Tasks |
9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. |
Morning Session |
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. |
Free Time |
11:30 a.m. to Noon |
Lunch |
Noon to 1 p.m. |
Solo Time |
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. |
Afternoon Session |
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
Free Time |
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
Supper |
6 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
Recreation Time |
7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. |
Evening Program |
7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
Free Time |
9 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
Curfew |
10 p.m. |
Hall Time (hang out in your building) |
10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. |
In Rooms |
10:30 p.m. |
Personal Health and Medical Emergencies
Students with minor health concerns can be seen at Brown University’s Health Services Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Should you need to visit Health Services, you are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 401-863-3953. Nursing advice is available 24/7 at 401-863-1330, and certified first aid staff are also available to assist on evenings or weekends. Students who require non-emergency care from a healthcare professional may also be taken to a local Urgent Care outside of Brown University Health Services hours. In the event of a medical emergency, students will generally be transported to Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence.
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.
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 and epi-pens) must keep them on their person at all times.
Tick Awareness
As with most outdoor locations in the Northeast, deer ticks that sometimes carry Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, may be present at sites where BELL: Rhode Island field trips are held. Should you be from a region that does not have ticks, we want you to know about deer ticks and tick-bite prevention.
To reduce your risk of a tick bite you are
- Asked to check yourself carefully for ticks at the end of the day
- Encouraged to wear long-pants, mid-calf socks, and close-toed shoes
Should you find a tick on yourself, Brown Health Services will implement a protocol that may include tick removal and/or a preventative course of antibiotics. Some families may be interested in purchasing tick repellent clothing for this activity prior to the course or having their own clothing treated. Information can be found here. (https://web.uri.edu/tickencounter/ticksmart/)
If you experience any flu-like symptoms, joint aches or a bulls-eye rash, upon your return home, you should contact your medical provider and inform them that you have been in an area where there are deer ticks that sometimes carry Lyme disease.
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.
Laundry
There are laundry facilities in all residence halls. You will need to supply your own detergent. All washers and dryers operate by swiping a Bear Bucks Guest Card (see information below). It costs $1.75 to wash and $1.75 to dry a load of laundry.
Bear Bucks
Bear Bucks Guest Cards allow you to use laundry machines and vending machines. You must purchase a Bear Bucks Guest Card for $1.00 at a Bear Bucks Kiosk. Money should be added to your Bear Bucks Guest Card as needed and in small increments as the unused balance is non-refundable. Please DO NOT add funds/Bear Bucks directly to your Brown ID card.
Bear Bucks Kiosks to purchase Bear Bucks Guest Cards are available to you at the following locations on campus.
- Sharpe Refectory
- Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center
- Brown Bookstore
- Emery Woolley Hall
Mail Services
Mail may be sent to you during the program. Please do not send packages of bedding or clothing needed on move-in day in advance of your arrival, since the University’s mailroom is not open for package pick-up on Sundays.
Please note that mail sent to college campuses requires additional processing time for sorting and distribution, and any standard mailing or shipping delays may result in the mail or packages not reaching you prior to your campus departure. For those reasons, any mail/packages should be coordinated to arrive no later than one week prior to your departure. Mail should be sent to:
Student Name
Brown Pre-College Student
69 Brown Street
Providence, RI 02912
Lost and Found
The lost and found is located at the Department of Public Safety 401-863-1663. Items of value left behind in residence halls, such as jewelry, money and laptop computers will be turned in and students should call the DPS office to retrieve lost items.
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.
Campus Improvements
Students attending Brown Pre-College on campus programs may encounter campus improvement efforts, including, but not limited to, construction, painting and grounds maintenance. Wherever possible, Brown University and Brown Pre-College have taken steps to mitigate the impact of such projects on Pre-College participants.