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    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)
    In-person Program

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    BELL combines environmental studies, ecology and leadership through field learning, community living and an Action Plan for environmental change.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs 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; Key Largo, Florida; Providence, Rhode Island

    Cost

    $4,708; $6,274; $7,642

    Duration

    12 days

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceBiologyHumanities
    Accommodation: Dormitories and residence halls
    Meals: Three meals daily
    Certificate: Digital CeCertificate of Completion
    Staff support: 24-hour on-site support
    Main output: Community Action Plan

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs summary

    BELL connects ecology and environmental studies with socially responsible leadership. Field observations and local site visits make environmental questions tangible.

    Students learn and live as a community, contribute to shared tasks and develop an Action Plan for an issue at home. It suits students who want environmental learning to lead to practical community action.

    What is Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)?

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL) is Brown University's environmental studies, ecology and leadership program. Students connect classroom learning with field observations, site visits and discussions about climate change, conservation and socially responsible leadership.

    The three tracks emphasize different ecosystems and perspectives: Alaska's landscapes and cultural history, tropical marine ecology in the Florida Keys, and environmental science and sustainability in Rhode Island. Residential community life and instructor-supported Action Plans connect that learning to issues students care about at home.

    Why Succeed highlights Brown Environmental Leadership Labs

    • Field learning lets students examine environmental questions in the ecosystems being discussed.

    • The Action Plan gives leadership learning a practical destination in the student's home community.

    • Different tracks connect environmental science with cultural history, sustainability or creative communication.

    • Shared residential responsibilities make collaboration part of daily life.

    • Learning without formal grades gives students room to explore subject interests.

    Who is Brown Environmental Leadership Labs for?

    Best for

    Students interested in ecology and environmental action who enjoy outdoor learning, group discussion and communal responsibilities.

    Not ideal if

    You need substantial independent study time, frequent phone access or a program that awards college credit.

    Is Brown Environmental Leadership Labs worth it?

    BELL offers a useful combination of environmental investigation and practical leadership development. Its strongest value is the opportunity to connect field experiences with a feasible community Action Plan, supported by instructors and peers.

    Families should weigh the residential fees and travel arrangements against the student's enthusiasm for an intensive group experience. BELL is noncredit, and Brown says Pre-College is not an undergraduate admissions prospecting program; participation is most useful when students build and reflect on their subject interests.

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

    Cost and what is included

    $4,708; $6,274; $7,642; includes Residential housing and meals., Rhode Island: program activities and excursions., Alaska: site entry fees., Florida Keys: program activities, excursions and MarineLab snorkel gear., Alaska and Florida Keys: group airport transportation within designated windows..

    Accommodation

    Dormitories and residence halls

    Meals

    Three meals daily

    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; Key Largo, Florida; Providence, Rhode Island.

    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.

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    How much preparation does Brown Environmental Leadership Labs need?

    Effort level

    High daily participation and moderate to demanding outdoor activity.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks for application materials and travel planning; reserve the two weeks before arrival for Canvas orientation and pre-work.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining attention and group participation with limited predictable free time.

    Typical preparation

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

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

    • Discuss medical, dietary and accessibility needs with your family before completing required forms.

    • Follow the track's packing list and think about a feasible environmental issue in your community.

    Useful if

    You want to turn environmental interest into a practical community project.

    What do students do on Brown Environmental Leadership Labs?

    You combine environmental lessons and field experiences with leadership workshops and shared community responsibilities. Your Action Plan connects the program's learning to an issue you can address at home.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete pre-departure orientation and any assigned course pre-work.

    2. 2

      Join arrival orientation and get to know your residential community.

    3. 3

      Investigate your track's ecosystems through lessons, observations, labs and site visits.

    4. 4

      Participate in leadership workshops, reflection and daily community tasks.

    5. 5

      Develop an Action Plan with support from instructors and peers.

    6. 6

      Present your Action Plan during the closing part of the program.

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs dates and deadlines

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

    Off-campus registration

    8 May 2026

    Final course registration date for Alaska and Florida Keys.

    Reference date

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    General deadline on Brown's dedicated application page.

    Reference date

    Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Rhode Island — Session 1

    21 June-2 July 2026

    12-day residential program.

    Reference date

    Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Rhode Island — Session 2

    5-16 July 2026

    12-day residential program.

    Reference date

    Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Florida Keys

    9-16 July 2026

    8-day residential program.

    Reference date

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs: Alaska

    13-24 July 2026

    12-day residential program.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    Brown Pre-College application opening for the 2026 cycle.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 10 to 12 in the published 2026 cycle.

    • Ages 16 to 18 by June 14, 2026.

    • Strong English proficiency for academic study and independent participation.

    • Required language results for international applicants whose primary language isn't English.

    • Meet any prerequisites in the selected course description.

    How much does Brown Environmental Leadership Labs cost?

    Residential program fee

    $4,708; $6,274; $7,642 — Florida Keys, Rhode Island and Alaska, respectively; 2026 fees.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Nonrefundable; eligible applicants can request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment and generally nonrefundable.
    • Conditional insurance: $80 — Required for international students and qualifying uninsured U.S. students.
    • Sibley Scholarship: Need-based assistance — Separate application; awards vary and cover program fees for eligible students.

    What's included

    Residential housing and meals., Rhode Island: program activities and excursions., Alaska: site entry fees., Florida Keys: program activities, excursions and MarineLab snorkel gear., Alaska and Florida Keys: group airport transportation within designated windows.

    How to apply to Brown Environmental Leadership Labs

    1. 1

      Create one applicant account in the Brown Pre-College Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and write the required 250 to 500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades and any required English proficiency results.

    4. 4

      Arrange the optional recommendation, which Brown strongly suggests for BELL applicants.

    5. 5

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible fee waiver.

    6. 6

      Monitor your portal for additional requirements and the admission decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, review eligible BELL courses, pay the $500 deposit and complete separate course enrollment.

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    What does Brown Environmental Leadership Labs cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Alaska ecosystems and cultural perspectives

    Explore climate change, dynamic landscapes and marine ecosystems alongside Alaska Native history and perspectives.

    Florida Keys marine ecology

    Investigate coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, water quality, marine debris and restoration through labs and field experiences.

    Rhode Island sustainability

    Choose environmental learning centered on conservation and community, food systems, or geological and modern climate change.

    Leadership and Action Plans

    Use workshops, reflection and peer support to develop a feasible project addressing an issue in your home community.

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

    What is a typical day on Brown Environmental Leadership Labs?

    A typical day during the program.

    Rhode Island

    Sessions typically run 9:30-11:30 a.m., 2-5 p.m. and 7:45-9 p.m., with curfew at 10 p.m.

    Alaska

    Lessons or visits typically run 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m., with evening activities 7-9 p.m.

    Florida Keys

    Field sessions typically run 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m., followed by labs or discussion from 7 p.m.

    Free time

    Timing varies, and additional coursework is not feasible during BELL.

    Who teaches on Brown Environmental Leadership Labs?

    Instructors and peers support students as they develop their Action Plans, while Florida Keys teaching draws on MarineLab staff expertise. Jane Winograd, Associate Director for Pre-College Programs and Environmental Studies, is listed as program director.

    Program staff live on site and provide support and supervision 24 hours a day.

    Where do students stay on Brown Environmental Leadership Labs?

    Residential plan

    • Rhode Island residence halls: Brown rooms have shared bathrooms, with a private room or sharing with up to two peers.
    • Alaska and Florida Keys housing: Alaska uses University of Alaska Anchorage dormitories; Florida Keys uses air-conditioned MarineLab dorms with bunk beds.
    • Meals and community life: Three meals daily accompany shared community tasks, group activities and reflection.
    • Supervision and check-ins: On-site staff provide 24-hour support, with nightly check-in at 10 p.m.

    Rhode Island students bring linens; Alaska and Florida Keys provide specified bedding.

    What happens after Brown Environmental Leadership Labs?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    A feasible Action Plan for an issue in your home community.

    A presentation explaining your proposed community action.

    A digital certificate after successful completion.

    Alaska and Rhode Island: an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Stronger environmental understanding and socially responsible leadership skills.

    BELL is noncredit, and Brown Pre-College is not an undergraduate admissions prospecting program.

    Where does Brown Environmental Leadership Labs take place?

    Rhode Island is based at Brown University in Providence, Alaska at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Florida Keys at MarineLab in Key Largo. Alaska arrivals use Anchorage International Airport, while Florida Keys students meet staff at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for group travel to MarineLab.

    Confirm the program before booking travel; Alaska and Florida Keys airport transportation follows strict arrival and departure windows.

    Brown Environmental Leadership Labs FAQs

    An Action Plan applies your leadership learning to an issue in your home community. Instructors, peers and workshops help you develop a project that addresses a need and is feasible for your circumstances.

    Rhode Island students stay in Brown University residence halls, Alaska students stay at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Florida Keys students stay in MarineLab dorm rooms. Room sharing and bathroom arrangements vary by location.

    Meals are included in the residential program fees. Students should submit dietary and medical forms early so staff can consider restrictions, allergies and dietary preferences.

    BELL limits phone use during lessons and activities, while allowing opportunities to communicate with home. Families receive an on-site program contact for urgent communication.

    Brown says additional coursework is not feasible during BELL. Free time is limited and unpredictable, and students are expected to participate in lessons, site visits and evening workshops.

    BELL emphasizes learning without formal grades and is noncredit. Successful students receive a digital certificate; Alaska and Rhode Island also explicitly offer a Course Performance Report.

    A recommendation is optional, but Brown strongly suggests one for applicants interested in BELL. If you indicate that you will submit one, Brown must receive its recommendation form before your application is complete.

    No. Students apply to Brown Pre-College, then separately enroll in an eligible course after admission and payment of the required deposit.

    Alternatives to Brown Environmental Leadership Labs

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Florida Keys | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Florida Keys | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Labs: Alaska | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Fee Waivers | 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
    • 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Labs (BELL)

    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)

    • Official program pages checked

    • Track dates compared

    • Residential fees checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Scholarship conditions reviewed

    • Student policies reviewed

    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.