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    BELL: Alaska
    In-person Program

    BELL: Alaska

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    BELL: Alaska combines environmental studies, ecology and leadership through field learning and cultural exploration, culminating in an Action Plan for a home-community issue.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    BELL Alaska at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 10-12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Anchorage, Alaska, United States

    Cost

    $7,642

    Duration

    12 days

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceBiology
    Accommodation: Shared university dorm suites
    Meals: Three meals daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
    Campus experience: University of Alaska Anchorage
    Assessment: No formal grades
    Supervision: 24-hour on-site staff support

    BELL Alaska summary

    Brown's environmental leadership program connects scientific ideas with field observations, cultural learning and community life. Students examine environmental change while practicing socially responsible leadership.

    The central output is an Action Plan for an issue in the student's home community. Instructor and peer support help turn broad concern into a feasible project.

    What is BELL: Alaska?

    BELL: Alaska is Brown University's environmental leadership program combining environmental studies, ecology and leadership. Students connect classroom discussion with outdoor observations and cultural site visits, including learning about Alaskan history from an Alaska Native perspective.

    The verified course choices explore changing landscapes and natural hazards, or marine ecosystem dynamics and fisheries. Alongside subject learning, students join a communal living experience and develop an Action Plan addressing an issue they care about at home.

    Why Succeed highlights BELL Alaska

    • Field visits connect climate and ecosystem concepts with landscapes students can observe directly.

    • Alaska Native perspectives bring cultural context to environmental stewardship.

    • The community Action Plan gives leadership learning a practical purpose beyond the program.

    • Grade-free learning is paired with an instructor Course Performance Report after qualifying participation.

    Who is BELL Alaska for?

    Best for

    Students who want environmental learning through outdoor observation, cultural perspectives and community leadership, and who enjoy working closely with a group.

    Not ideal if

    You need substantial independent time, want to combine the experience with another course, or prefer a program with little outdoor exertion.

    Is BELL Alaska worth it?

    BELL: Alaska is most compelling when field learning and community action are central to your interests. Its combination of environmental study, Native perspectives and an Action Plan can give you concrete experiences to reflect on afterward.

    The value depends on your readiness for physical activity, communal living and tightly structured days. It is a substantial financial commitment and a non-credit experience, so weigh the learning itself carefully; Brown says Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admission.

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    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $7,642; includes University dorm housing., Three meals per day., Entry fees to program sites., Transportation to and from site visits., Group airport transportation within the designated travel windows., Bedding, towels and specified toiletries..

    Accommodation

    Shared university dorm suites

    Meals

    Three meals daily

    Supervision or safety information

    Program staff provide support and supervision 24 hours a day, and students must stay with their group. Residence halls use ID-card access, rooms require keys, and students check in for a 10 p.m. curfew.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    12 days; Anchorage, Alaska, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programs

    How much preparation does BELL Alaska need?

    Effort level

    High, combining sustained group participation with outdoor exertion.

    Best started

    Six to eight weeks before the next off-campus registration deadline, allowing time for application materials, funding and travel planning.

    Main challenge

    Managing active days, changing weather and limited predictable free time.

    Typical preparation

    • Draft your application essay and gather current and previous academic-year grades.

    • Ask a suitable recommender early; Brown strongly suggests a recommendation for BELL applicants.

    • Plan rain gear, layers and sturdy hiking shoes, and discuss medication management and family communication.

    • Complete the Canvas course orientation and pre-work beginning two weeks before arrival.

    Useful if

    You want to connect environmental understanding with a feasible community project.

    What do students do on BELL Alaska?

    You move between lessons, field observations, cultural visits and leadership workshops while contributing to communal life. The experience culminates in preparing and presenting an Action Plan for a home-community issue.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Join arrival orientation and get to know your learning community.

    2. 2

      Explore environmental concepts through your chosen course's lessons and site visits.

    3. 3

      Participate in group initiatives, daily community tasks and reflection.

    4. 4

      Identify a community need and develop an Action Plan through guided workshops.

    5. 5

      Present your plan and reflect on how to put it into practice.

    BELL Alaska dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    8 May 2026

    Final off-campus course registration day for the verified 2026 cycle.

    Reference date

    BELL Alaska: How the Ocean Feeds Alaska: Investigating Marine Ecosystem Dynamics

    13-24 July 2026

    Residential marine ecosystem and fisheries course.

    Reference date

    BELL Alaska: Edge of Change: Exploring Alaska’s Dynamic Landscapes

    13-24 July 2026

    Residential landscape, climate change and natural-hazards course.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College's 2026 application cycle.

    Reference date

    Forms and payment

    8 April 2026

    Medical forms, waivers and payment; later enrollments require completion within 48 hours.

    Reference date

    Pre-departure orientation

    12 April 2026

    Required student and parent session at 10 a.m. Eastern Time; a recording supports conflicts.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 10 to 12 for the verified 2026 cycle.

    • Ages 16-18 by 14 June 2026.

    • Strong English proficiency for academic and community participation.

    • Brown Pre-College admission followed by separate course enrollment.

    • Attend every program day and all required activities.

    How much does BELL Alaska cost?

    Program fee

    $7,642 — 2026 residential total, including food, housing and site entry fees.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Nonrefundable; eligible applicants can request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required after admission; generally nonrefundable.
    • Health insurance: $80 — Required for international students and U.S. students without acceptable coverage.
    • Scholarships: Need-based and eligibility-based — Brown Pre-College funding has separate eligibility rules; international students are excluded for summer 2026.

    What's included

    University dorm housing., Three meals per day., Entry fees to program sites., Transportation to and from site visits., Group airport transportation within the designated travel windows., Bedding, towels and specified toiletries.

    How to apply to BELL Alaska

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account through Brown's official Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and submit a 250 to 500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades and pay the application fee or request an eligible waiver.

    4. 4

      Provide English-proficiency results when required and consider the recommendation strongly suggested for BELL.

    5. 5

      Monitor the portal for missing-material requests and your admission decision.

    6. 6

      After admission, review your desired course, submit the deposit and enroll separately.

    7. 7

      Complete the enrolled-student forms, payment, required orientation and Canvas pre-work.

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    What does BELL Alaska cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Climate change and dynamic landscapes

    The landscape course examines climate change, earthquakes, volcanoes and natural hazards through classroom study and outdoor labs.

    Marine ecosystem dynamics

    The marine course explores productive coastal ecosystems, fishing history and climate effects on critical marine food sources.

    Culture and environmental stewardship

    Museum and heritage-center visits connect environmental learning with Alaskan cultural history and Alaska Native perspectives.

    Leadership and community Action Plans

    Guided workshops help students develop and present a feasible project responding to a need in their home community.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on BELL Alaska?

    A typical day during the program.

    Morning learning

    Typical site visit or lesson after breakfast.

    Lunch and reflection

    Lunch and free time are followed by a one-hour solo reflection period.

    Afternoon learning

    Typical site visit, lab or lesson.

    Evening community

    Group activities follow dinner, with a required 10 p.m. curfew check-in.

    Who teaches on BELL Alaska?

    The program is directed by Jane Winograd, Associate Director, Pre-College Programs and Environmental Studies. Instructors and peers support students as they develop their community Action Plans.

    Off-campus staffing includes an on-site director, coordinator and at least two student life managers.

    Where do students stay on BELL Alaska?

    Residential plan

    • University dorms: Students stay at UAA in shared suites, with single beds and rooms shared with one to four peers.
    • Three daily meals: Food is included, with most meals in a dining hall and some catered or prepared together.
    • Supervision and security: Staff provide 24-hour support, dorms use ID-card access, and students attend a nightly curfew check-in.
    • Communal living: Students contribute to daily tasks and join group activities, workshops and course-dependent site visits.

    Rooms have limited space, and bathroom arrangements can include community or shared private bathrooms with private showers.

    What happens after BELL Alaska?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop an Action Plan to address a home-community issue.

    Present your plan during the course wrap-up.

    Receive a Course Performance Report after qualifying participation.

    Earn a digital CeCertificate of Completion after successful completion.

    Apply environmental understanding and leadership skills beyond the program.

    BELL is non-credit, and participation does not confer an undergraduate admissions advantage at Brown.

    Where does BELL Alaska take place?

    The program is based at the University of Alaska Anchorage, with course-dependent visits across South Central Alaska, including the Matanuska Glacier and Seward. Students travel through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and join group transportation during designated arrival and departure windows.

    Book travel only after program confirmation; staff cannot serve as the designated adult for airline unaccompanied-minor services.

    BELL Alaska FAQs

    The program combines environmental studies, ecology and leadership. The verified course options explore global climate change and natural hazards, or marine ecosystem dynamics and Alaska's fishing history.

    Students live in University of Alaska Anchorage dorms in shared suites. Rooms have single beds, and bathroom arrangements include community or shared private bathrooms with private showers.

    Program staff provide support and supervision 24 hours a day, and students must stay with their group. Residence halls use ID-card access, rooms require keys, and students check in for a 10 p.m. curfew.

    All food and housing are included in the program fee, with three meals per day. Most meals are eaten in a college dining hall, with some catered or prepared collaboratively.

    Students should expect daily outdoor activity in changing weather. Brown describes BELL: Alaska as physically taxing, with significant outdoor exertion, and asks students to disclose pre-existing medical conditions.

    Phones must be secured and put away during most lessons and activities unless needed for program work. Students have opportunities to contact family, and parents can reach the on-site director through the program phone.

    Successful participants receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report. Students also develop a community Action Plan; BELL is non-credit and does not use formal grades.

    Admission is to Brown Pre-College, and enrollment in a particular course is a separate step. Admission does not guarantee a seat in a specific course or program.

    Alternatives to BELL Alaska

    Compare a direct environmental-science alternative with broader biology and science programs to decide how much field learning and leadership matter to you.

    Alternatives to BELL Alaska

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Campus Safety and Security Frequently Asked Questions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Labs: Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
    • Beyond the Book: Text, Image, and Experiments in the In-Between - Pre-College Course Catalog"
    • Pre-College Course Catalog Brown University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Program details reviewed

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Residential fee checked

    • Course dates cross-checked

    • Supervision policies reviewed

    • Completion requirements checked

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.