The BOLTer Experience

BOLT is the only outdoor orientation program in the country specifically for college sophomores, transfer students and resumed undergraduate students. We call participants in the program “BOLTers”. The BOLTer experience begins with a five-day backpacking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire before the fall semester, and continues back on campus with Fall Program. The goal of Fall Program is to provide support and mentoring, create opportunities for experiential learning and leadership, and promote community and individual relationships for BOLT leaders and BOLTers.

The Fall Trip

The five-day backpacking trip provides BOLT groups with a shared outdoor experience. BOLTers learn valuable technical skills, including how to set up a shelter and cook on a camp stove. Individuals challenge themselves and learn to rely on one another within in a supportive group setting. BOLTers and their leaders get to know each other, bond and develop their leadership skills through this common experience. To learn more about our backpacking trip and what to expect, please read about A Day on the Trail.

Every year, in addition to our general BOLT trips, we offer three community trips:

1. Gender Diverse & Women’s Trip: This trip is intended for anyone who does not identify as a cis man. Mission: Acknowledging that the outdoors are dominated by cis men, this trip serves as a safe and inclusive space in the outdoors for women and gender diverse individuals. This trip is the same as others in the White Mountains.
2. BIPOC Trip: This trip is intended for people who do not identify as white. Mission: Acknowledging that the outdoors are dominated by whiteness, this trip serves to create a safe and inclusive space in the outdoors for those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color. This trip is the same as others in the White Mountains.
3. Camping Trip: This trip does NOT involve backpacking; instead, participants will camp at one site and go on day hikes and activities. This trip can be modified to fit a wide range of accessibility needs and comfort levels. Mission: Acknowledging that the outdoors are often inaccessible, this trip aims to establish an inclusive and accessible environment in the outdoors for all levels of ability and comfort.

Prospective BOLTers may express their interest in these trips on their application.

On Campus

We have three levels of support for our BOLTers: BOLT Community, BOLTer Group, and 1:1 Leader/BOLTer check-ins.

During the fall individual groups continue to meet. A strong component of our fall program is the weekly/bi-weekly gatherings and activities planned by individual groups. Most groups meet once a week or on alternating weeks for dinner at one of the on-campus dining halls.

As a community, we also continue to enjoy some traditional full community events such as the Post Trip Banquet, Post Trip Slide Show, BOLT Olympics and BOLT Fall Feast when we invite all all member of the current and past BOLT community.

On weekends, groups often explore Providence in pursuit of various adventures, including:

1. Movie nights
2. Trips to Lincoln Woods
3. Trips to the rock climbing gym
4. Brunches at Louie’s Diner
5. Apple picking
6. Pumpkin carving
7. Ice skating at Kennedy Plaza

Along with Individual Group gatherings, we host some all-BOLT traditional events that we love:

1. BOLT Olympics (groups compete in field games)
2. BOLT Fall Feast (open to anyone affiliated with BOLT)
3. BOLT Holiday Hang (open to anyone affiliated with BOLT)