Frequently Asked Questions
What
is BOLT?
Who can I contact to learn more about the program?
What is the difference between a BOLT leader and a BOLT
participant?
Who is eligible to become a Bolt leader?
Who is eligible to become a BOLT participant?
How do I apply to Bolt?
How are the selections made?
How are the individulal BOLT groups decided?
What about equipment?
Where do we hike?
How much of a time commitment is Bolt?
What are the main goals of Bolt?
How much does BOLT cost?
What kind of previous experience do I need to have?
What
is BOLT?
Brown Outdoor Leadership Training. See About
Bolt
Who
can I contact to learn more about the program?
Student
managers can be reached by emailing BOLT@brown.edu.
You can contact the program coordinator Shelley Adriance at any time, either by email or by phone (401-863-1185) in the
Student Activities Office. She will be happy to discuss any concerns you
might have and to tell you more about the program.
What
is the difference between a BOLT leader and a BOLT participant?
A BOLT leader is a junior or senior who
has gone through the BOLT Leader Training and will lead a group of 7
or 8 BOLT participants on a wilderness trip.
A BOLTer is a sophomore who has applied to the BOLT program
at the end of his/her freshman year and takes part in a wilderness trip
together with 6 or 7 other participants.
Who
is eligible to become a BOLT leader?
Every sophomore or junior is eligible.
Who
is eligible to become a BOLTer?
Every freshman is eligible.
How
do I apply to BOLT?
As a Bolter applicant, click here (begining in April).
As a leader applicant: click here (in November).
How
are the selections made?
Participants are selected with consideration on the content of their
application and interest level. An effort is made to include a diverse
group of students in the program. Leader selection is a more involved
process, requiring a written application and an interview with the BOLT
Leader Selection Committee, comprised of current BOLT leaders.
How
are the individual BOLT groups decided?
The goal of BOLT is to bring together members of the Brown community
that have never met before. Every effort is made to keep participants
who were friends from previous years, roomates, and/or students from
the same freshman unit out of the same BOLT groups, so each group starts
with a "clean slate" in learning to work together as a team.
What
about equipment?
You can either bring your own equipment or Bolt can provide you with the required equipment. However, BOLT does
have a limited supply of hiking boots so you might want consider asking
around or purchasing a pair for yourself.
Where
do we hike?
All current 16 hiking routes are in New Hampshire, either in the White
Mountains (Pemigewasset Wilderness) or in the northern Presidentials
(Mount Washington area).
For a map of the general area, click here.
How
much of a time commitment is BOLT?
As a participant: You are expected to return approximately
one week before school starts inthe Fall, usually around the last week
of August. You then go on a 5-day hiking trip in the wilderness,. After
this, Bolt provides a Fall Program, in which groups meet for about
1 hour per week.
As a leader: In the spring semester, every leader participates
in the Bolt Leader Training, involving a series of workshops covering
technical skills, group facilitation skills, and wilderness first aidtraining,
for a total of about 130 hrs. Leaders are expected to return in the
last 10 days of August for refresher-workshops and last preparations
for the trip. During the school year, leaders spend approximately 1
hour/week meeting with their small groups and participating in All-BOLT
activities. Leaders also have an opportunity to participate in Steering
Committee, which helps administer and manage the program. Steering Committee
meets for 1.5 hours/week.
What
are the main goals of Bolt?
See About Bolt
How
much does Bolt cost?
For Bolters : The contribution is $395, financial asisstance is
absolutely available on an individual basis for those with a demonstrated need.
For Leaders: Leaders are asked to help cover all or a portion
of the costs for their Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder upgrade and CPR training. Total
cost is $370, but financial assistance is available on an individual
basis.
What
kind of previous experience do I need to have?
Bolt accepts people with every experience level, as participants as
well as leaders.
If you have any other questions, please contact us at bolt@brown.edu or 3-1954, or come and talk to us at the Bolt Office.