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What does it mean to be a BOLT Leader?

BOLT Leaders: A BOLT Leader is a sophomore, junior, or senior who is committed to becoming proficient in the technical and facilitation skills necessary to lead a group in the outdoors. A Leader receives 160 hours of training during the spring. Towards the end of that training, Leaders are matched with co-leaders. These groups of co-leads will work together for the rest of their time at Brown.

In late August, co-leaders lead a five-day trip to the White Mountains, and after they return they help to guide their group through life in Providence. Leaders provide the foundation for BOLT's sophomore and new transfer student advising and support.

While we do not create BOLT groups based on experience level, we do aim for a variety of different mixtures in our groups. Participants can be sophomores, new transfers, or Resumed Undergraduate students. Some groups have two leaders; others have three. Some groups are composed entirely of women, including two or three female co-leaders.

Being a BOLT leader is a big challenge and responsibility, but it is also a lot of fun. A Leader's goal is to provide rising sophomores and transfer students with an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between leadership and community, and to help them identify ways in which the dynamics of a BOLT group are analogous to the dynamics of any group or community to which they belong. A Leader will ensure a safe, rewarding, and educational experience for their group of BOLTers.

As a leader you will learn (and then teach) interpersonal and group management techniques as well as technical outdoor skills. These include:

Group Skills:

  1. Understand and use effective listening skills.
  2. Understand and give appropriate and helpful feedback.
  3. Use open-ended questions to stimulate conversation.
  4. Paraphrase effectively.
  5. Use and understand the purpose of "I Statements."
  6. Facilitate conversation effectively.
  7. Understand group development theory.
  8. Understand principles of collaborative group leadership.
  9. Facilitate effective reflection to promote learning.

  

Outdoor Skills:

  1. Light and use a stove safely.
  2. Cook delicious food on a camp stove.
  3. Set up a sturdy tarp.
  4. Read and use a map and compass.
  5. Tie a Bowline.
  6. Tie a Taut-line Hitch.
  7. Tie a Square Knot.
  8. Tie a Figure-Eight knot.
  9. Tie a Clove Hitch.
  10. Hang a proper bear bag.
  11. Pack and adjust a backpack properly.
  12. Cross a stream safely.
  

Medical Certifications:

  1. CPR
  2. Wilderness First Aid
  3. Wilderness First Responder (optional)

You will also learn interpersonal and group management techniques that will enable you to have a safe and inspiring trip in New Hampshire and to faciltiate a group experience on campus!

The annual Fall Trip is the begining of the Fall Program for BOLTers.

Throughout the fall, Leaders continue to plan small group events and support opportunities for BOLTers to participate in larger BOLT events. It is our hope that after the fall program, BOLT groups will continue to gather and serve as a source of support and social activities.

For more info about being a leader:

  1. Leader Position Description
  2. Training Schedule
  3. Required Waivers and Med Forms (and other great stuff)
  4. Interviewing for a BOLT Leader position

Leader Applications:

BOLT Leader Applications will open in December..
More information about applying to lead is available here. Please email the BOLT Managers if you have questions.