EXPLO Junior | Essentials Guide for Residential Students

EXPLO Junior | Essentials Guide for Residential Students

EXPLO Junior

GRADES 4-7 | WHEATON COLLEGE IN MASSACHUSETTS

2022 Essentials Guide for Residential Students

CONTENTS

Dates + Deadlines

Communication

• Contacting EXPLO at the Exploration Center • Contacting EXPLO while on campus • Contacting or visiting your student • Emergency / after-hours contact information An easy reference to quickly find contact information and a guide to contacting EXPLO and your student:

At-a-glance summary of important dates and deadlines to help you plan your schedule and have an easy reference to deadlines for specific requirements:

• Arrival + Departure Dates • Important dates at-a-glance

• A view of campus activities • Contacting other families

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• Travel Arrangements • Planning for Arrival + Departure • Summer Packing Preparation Getting ready to be on campus: Travel + Preparations

Health + Medical

This section summarizes all the health and medical-related requirements and policies:

• Immunization + Medical Records • A Note About Nuts • About the EXPLO Health Center

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Academics

Financials

This section is to help you plan and keep track of payments and expenses:

Find out more about the learning experience:

• Curricular Information • Making changes to courses + electives • Classrooms

• Payment of Bills • Miscellaneous Account

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The EXPLO Team On Campus

Learn more about life on campus, outside the classroom: Student Life on Campus

We have a 4:1 staff-to-student ratio on campus to make sure every student gets quality guidance and support as they live and learn at EXPLO. This section describes the types of staff members students can expect to interact with at the Program:

• Schedule • EXPLO IDs • Housing + Living Arrangements • Meals • Laundry • Swimming • Multi-session Students • Lost + Found

• Head of Program • Office of Student Life

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Communication

Contacting EXPLO at the Exploration Center (EXPLO Headquarters)

TO REACH EXPLO BEFORE JUNE 22, 2022:

932 Washington St. Norwood, MA 02062 Phone: +1 781.762.7400 Email: [email protected]

Contacting EXPLO while on campus at Wheaton College

TO REACH EXPLO FROM JUNE 22 – AUG 6, 2022:

EXPLO Junior Main Office: EXPLO Junior Nurse Fax:

+1 781.551.6700 +1 781.996.3139

EXPLO Junior Email:

[email protected]

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Contacting or visiting your student while at EXPLO PHONE + CELL PHONE POLICY While we encourage students to keep in touch with those close to them, we also want them to be fully engaged in our programming throughout the entire day and evening. EXPLO students are not allowed to make or receive calls during the first week of the Program. Students may begin calling home the second Monday of each session. Cell phones, including smartphones, are not allowed at the Program and will be confiscated. Students who carry a cell phone during travel to and from the Program will be asked to store their phone in the Program’s safe. There is only one phone for each Advisor Group at the Program, which means students need to keep their calls under five minutes so that all students get the opportunity to speak to their families. Because of the overwhelming demand to use the phones on the Monday of the second week of each session, it is possible you will not hear from your child until Tuesday. We are happy to speak with parents/guardians at any point during the Program. If you are concerned about your student, please call us.

PHONE MESSAGES

Phone messages for students can be left with our Main Office.

For Residential Students — phone messages will be delivered during floor time. Only messages will be taken; students will not be called to the phone.

EMAIL MESSAGES

Alternatively, you may send a residential student an email message using the Student Email Form link on the Student Portal. These messages will be printed and delivered during floor time.

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SENDING LETTERS + PACKAGES

Summer mailing address:

Student’s Name and Advisor Group EXPLO Junior Wheaton College

26 East Main Street Norton, MA 02766

Care packages and nuts — EXPLO is a nut-free program. When they send their children care packages during the summer, many parents/guardians often include nut-rich candies, granola bars, and chocolates, which could be incredibly harmful to their roommates, hallmates, and friends. We ask that you refrain from sending your child food or candy of any kind. Most parents/guardians do not send gifts of any kind to their children, but if you want to reach out, you could email funny articles or stories or other encouraging, positive material that will let them know how much you care without putting any of our fellow students at risk.

Please note that in order to ensure the safety of our students, our staff will open all student care packages to ensure that they don’t contain food.

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VISITING THE STUDENT ON CAMPUS Students may receive visitors starting on the second Monday of each session. Please call ahead to schedule a visit with the Main Office. Visitors may include parents/guardians and other friends and family members over the age of 21 who are specifically named on the Authorized Visitor Form . This form is available on the online Student Portal. Visitors should make visiting arrangements with the Main Office at least 24 hours in advance. Students may sign out for an evening visit between 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on the weekends. Visitors are asked to take the student off-campus for that visit. No visitors are allowed on dormitory floors, in classrooms, or on other parts of campus. The visitor signing the student out must meet the student in the Main Office to sign them out. Visitors will be asked to show a photo ID before they can leave campus with the student. Visitors must sign the student back into the Main Office immediately upon returning to campus. Students may not be signed out of the Program overnight unless they are a six- week student who signs out over intersession weekend.

Please note that the Program may decide not to allow visitors during the session should current COVID regulations and guidance advise against it.

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Emergency / after-hours contact information

In the event of an emergency, families should contact our Office of Student Life and an Administrator will make appropriate arrangements. After hours (10:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.), call the Main Office and you’ll be instructed on how to reach the Admin on Duty. Please call the Admin on Duty for true emergencies only.

A view of campus activities

We encourage families to explore the photo and video gallery that will be made available on our website. You can see what’s going on at the Program over the summer. We often post photos and videos of students and staff. We will notify you via email with log in information when the galleries are ready.

Contacting other families

Some enrolled families want to make connections with other enrolled families in their area. The EXPLO Registrar will coordinate the communication between families. A requesting family who wants to connect with other families will send their information to the Registrar. The EXPLO Registrar reaches out to the families in the area (who fit the parameter) on behalf of the requesting family to open an introduction. Email addresses are on BCC, therefore not revealed.

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Dates + Deadlines

Arrival + Departure Dates

SESSION 1 SESSION 2 ARRIVAL DEPARTURE ARRIVAL DEPARTURE

Sunday June 26, 2022

Friday July 15, 2022

Sunday July 17, 2022

Friday August 5, 2022

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Arrival Time: (Driving) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Arrival Time: (Driving) 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. (Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

EXPLO Junior 360° Residential

Sunday July 3, 2022

Friday July 15, 2022

Arrival Time: (Driving) 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

EXPLO Focus: Veterinary Science

(Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday July 3, 2022

Friday July 15, 2022

Arrival Time: (Driving) 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

EXPLO Focus: Emergency Medicine

(Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday July 17, 2022

Friday July 29, 2022

EXPLO Focus: Architecture + Engineering

Arrival Time: (Driving) 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

(Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday July 17, 2022

Friday August 5, 2022

EXPLO English Immersion

Arrival Time: (Driving) 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Departure Time: (Driving) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

(Flying In) 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

(Flying Out) 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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Important dates at-a-glance

DUE APRIL 15, 2022 (For details, go to your Student Portal)

Payment — All bills must be paid in full by April 15, 2022 (or immediately for those enrolling after April 15, 2022, to hold space). Campdoc medical form — CampDoc Medical Form must be received with complete information and up-to-date immunizations.

DUE JUNE 1, 2022 (For details, go to your Student Portal)

Arrival and departure info — Update your plans for arriving to and departing from campus, and sign up for the airport shuttle service.

Housing Form — Indicate your housing preferences.

Parent/Guardian comment form — Help us learn about your child so we can support them on campus during the summer. Intersession form — For students attending more than one EXPLO session, opt in for the Intersession Trip to stay on campus. Trip waivers — Optional trip waivers must be signed by a parent/guardian if the student would like to attend Weekend Trips that require a waiver.

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Travel + Preparations

Travel Arrangements

Various travel options (by car or plane) are detailed on the Arrival + Departure form, which is available on the Student Portal.

TRAVEL BY CAR

Follow directions to 26 East Main Street in Norton, MA, and drive to the Wheaton College campus. Once on campus, follow signs to “EXPLO.”

On Arrival Day, we will have staff at various points to give further instructions regarding luggage drop-off and registration. There will be parking available for cars once unloaded.

(Note: As much as we love them, we ask that you please leave pets at home.)

TRAVEL BY PLANE

EXPLO offers shuttles from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) for students flying solo. EXPLO staff will meet students at the baggage claim area wearing bright orange EXPLO T-shirts and will help at every step of the travel process, from airport pickup to arrival on campus. On Departure Day, our staff will assist students to airport security and will remain at the airport until all flights have departed. When booking your travel or your child’s flight to EXPLO, we recommend that you book flights that arrive and depart in the shuttle windows listed in the table above. If transportation is needed outside of the shuttle window, EXPLO can help coordinate transportation with an outside travel partner, but there may be increased wait times and/ or additional fees.

There is a $75 fee each way for the shuttle service to and/or from the airport.

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FLYING AS AN UNACCOMPANIED MINOR

Please book your child as an Unaccompanied Minor — due to increased security measures at Logan Airport, only children flying as Unaccompanied Minors may be met at their gates. Our staff will be assigned to meet each student arriving by plane at the gate within our travel windows. Our staff members will be wearing bright orange EXPLO T-shirts and will have EXPLO photo IDs. All Unaccompanied Minor Fees must be paid to the airline in advance of travel. In the event that the airline does not accept payment in advance, please contact our Admission Office to notify them to expect a fee upon arrival at the airport on Departure Day. If your airline requires that you provide them with the name of the person picking your child up at Logan Airport, please provide them with the placeholder name of “Maddie Sabin or an EXPLO Summer Programs representative.” We will contact you several days in advance of Arrival Day to inform you of the actual staff member picking up your child. It is very important that we know your student’s travel status prior to pick-up and departure, so there are no last-minute surprises at the airport. Additional arrival information is provided later in this handbook. Students who do not fly as unaccompanied minors will be met in the baggage claim area by our staff wearing bright orange EXPLO t-shirts and photo IDs.

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Planning for Arrival + Departure

ARRIVAL INFORMATION

Registration for residential students begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m., at which point parents/guardians will be asked to leave so that the Program can get underway. It is important that you do not arrive early as we will not be able to care for you or your child. Families are encouraged to attend an optional meeting for parents/guardians at 3:00 p.m. in Weber Theater. We will escort children from the airport to Wheaton and help them get settled. Students flying alone will call their parents/guardians upon arrival at Wheaton to let them know they have arrived safely.

Please feel free to call us on Arrival Day at 781.551.6700 with any issues or questions.

DEPARTURE INFORMATION

On Departure Day, all students must depart the Program by 12:00 noon. Our buses will begin taking students to the airport from approximately 4:30 a.m. until noon. Due to the high volume of students traveling by plane, your student may arrive at the airport earlier than you would choose to arrive for personal/ family travel. Please know that this is to ensure that all of our students will make their flights on time. EXPLO staff will remain at the airport until all students have departed (or students flying as unaccompanied minors have been formally placed in the custody of the airline staff).

SPECIAL TRAVEL SITUATIONS

If you have any special travel needs or arrangements, please contact our Norwood office via phone (781.762.7400) or email ([email protected]). From June 22-August 6, 2022, please call our Main Office at EXPLO Junior ( 781.551.6700).

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Summer Packing Preparation

WHAT TO BRING

Students attending EXPLO Junior are encouraged to use the following packing list to guide their preparations for the summer. If you have any questions about what to bring (or what not to bring) please feel free to contact us anytime.

LINENS + BEDDING

(For students who did not request it by June 1, 2022)

• Pillow • Blanket or sleeping bag • Small stuffed animal or comfort item

• 2-4 bath towels • 2 washcloths • 2 pool towels

• 2 complete sets of bed linens (flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillowcase) — sized Twin XL

Note: Bed linens, pillows, and towels are not provided unless requested on the Student Application before the summer. All student bedding and linens are changed each week with the laundry. Students may not wash items in the dorm sinks or showers.

FOOTWEAR

• 1 pair of sneakers/closed-toe shoes • 1 pair of shower shoes/flip flops • 1 pair of sandals or waterproof shoes with ankle strap • 1 pair of comfortable dress shoes

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TOILETRIES

• Toothpaste • Dental floss

• Shower caddy • Shampoo and conditioner • Soap/Body wash • Deodorant

• Glasses/Contacts/Solution • Lotion-based sunscreen • Lotion-based insect repellent

• Hair brush/comb • Hair bands/elastics • Toothbrush

• Personal medications not filled by Dedham Pharmacy (to be kept at the Health Center)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Backpack/bookbag for day use • Extension cord • Alarm clock • [24] N95 or KN94/95 masks

• Sun protection gear (sunglasses and sunhat, or baseball-style cap) • Reusable water bottle • Box fan or oscillating fan for dorm room • Clothes hangers (as necessary)

CLOTHING

• 7–10 T-shirts • 7–10 shorts • 2 bathing suits • 7–10 pairs of socks • 2–3 pairs of tall socks (knee high socks) for Tall Sock Tuesdays • 10–12 pairs of underwear • 2–3 pairs of long pants/jeans

• 2 sweatshirts or longsleeve pullovers • 4 sets of pajamas

• Raincoat or poncho • Lightweight jacket • 1 dress-up outfit • Bathrobe • Slippers

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OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Books or card games • Swim goggles • Inexpensive or disposable camera • Silly costumes or accessories (crazy hat, character onesies, tutu, cape, etc.) • Pre-addressed stationery and stamps • Items for student talent show (dance shoes, sheet music, instruments, costumes, etc.) • Sports equipment (glove, racquet, etc. — students may also borrow from EXPLO)

STUDENT DRESS CODE

While dress is generally informal, the Program has community standards to ensure that appropriate student dress provides a comfortable environment for all. These expectations will be made explicit to students at the Program, and we reserve the right to address breaches of our dress code. Dress code guidelines include, but are not limited to the following: No clothing that is too revealing (for example, tops that allow exposure of the belly button or loose clothing that allows exposure of undergarments) No clothing with offensive wording, logos, designs, etc., including those containing alcohol and drug references

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NOTES

All belongings should be labeled with permanent marker or labels. We do have a Lost and Found, and are often able to return misplaced items if they are clearly labeled! For safety, flip-flops are not permitted for use as daily footwear, but may be worn in the shower or at the pool. We highly encourage sneakers/closed-toe shoes as students’ primary footwear. Lotion-based sunscreen and bug repellent are provided by EXPLO for use by all students. EXPLO does not permit aerosol-based sprays. Your child will have the chance to play a number of sports at EXPLO that will require them to wear a mouthguard, including soccer, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and rugby. We strongly recommend your child brings a molded mouthguard to the Program to take advantage of these activities. Students will also have an opportunity to obtain a mouthguard from EXPLO throughout the session. Students will be responsible (with some assistance from staff) for packing their belongings at the end of EXPLO. Please pack items in a way that facilitates easy re-packing at the end of the session. An extra empty bag can be useful for overflow or bringing home projects. All luggage should be labeled with the student’s full name.

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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE PROGRAM:

Cell phones

Electronic devices with internet or communication capabilities (smartwatch, GPS tracker, WiFi-based e-readers or MP3 players, etc.)

Food, drinks, or candy

Video games or gaming devices

Computers or tablets

Expensive or irreplaceable cameras or other items

Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives)

Matches, candles, incense, fireworks, lighters

TVs, refrigerators, stereos, air conditioners, microwaves, or other appliances

Excessive dorm decorations (string lights, large lamps or other furniture, etc.)

Cash or credit/debit cards

Aerosol sprays of any kind (spray sunscreen, hairspray, bug spray, etc.)

Bicycles, scooters, “wheelie” shoes, skateboards, skates, hoverboards

NOTE ON CELLULAR OR INTERNET DEVICES

Kindles, iPods, and other personal music/reading devices are allowed, but only for purposes of playing music and reading. Any cellular or internet capabilities must be deactivated for the duration of the student’s time at EXPLO.

Apple watches or other smartwatches/personal devices must also be disconnected from cellular, GPS, or internet capabilities.

Students found to be using WiFi, cellular, or internet services in an unauthorized fashion will face disciplinary measures, and the item will be confiscated.

EXPLO is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

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Health + Medical

Immunizations + Medical Records

Each student’s CampDoc Health Form must be received no later than April 15, 2022, with complete information and up-to-date immunizations.

IMMUNIZATIONS

EXPLO requires that all students and faculty be immunized against communicable, preventable diseases in accordance with state regulations. Please note that to protect the safety of our community, EXPLO does not recognize or allow exemptions to these immunizations. For safety reasons, students whose completed medical forms have not been received by the Program will not be allowed to register on Arrival Day, nor will they be allowed to remain at the Program.

COVID-19

All enrolled students must be fully immunized against disease according to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and state requirements. All EXPLO students must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before attending EXPLO. This includes any “booster” shots for which a student is eligible based on the timing of their initial COVID-19 vaccination. For more information about required immunizations, please contact our Admission Office.

MENINGITIS VACCINATION

The Massachusetts Department of Health now requires new college and secondary school students who live in dormitories during the regular school year to obtain a meningitis vaccination. They have neither a requirement nor a recommendation for short- term dormitory life such as we have at EXPLO. EXPLO has never had a case of bacterial meningitis in its more than forty-year history. In light of these recommendations, however, we suggest you discuss the need for a vaccination with your healthcare provider.

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MEDICATION Massachusetts regulations forbid student self-medication. Students who keep medication in pill form in their rooms or medication in non-pill form that has not been approved for such use by the Head Nurse will be subject to dismissal from the Program. If medication is to be given to your child at the Program, we must receive orders for the administration of the medication from your child’s physician. This includes multivitamins. A Medication Confirmation Form must be completed by a licensed physician for each medication and returned to us immediately. Medications in pill form — Students who plan on taking any medication in pill form (including vitamins) daily while at the Program are required to register with our pharmacy partner no later than June 1st in order to package that medicine and have it delivered to campus. This includes all medicine in pill form taken daily (whether prescription or over-the-counter/nonprescription, including vitamins,) but does not include blister-packed medications like birth control. Medications in non-pill form — All medications in non-pill form (including inhalers, medicine in liquid form, and creams) MUST be brought to the Health Center on Arrival Day. Students may keep non-pill medications with them only if approved by the Head Nurse and accompanied by appropriate Medication Confirmation Forms. Other medications notes — International students are not required to register with our pharmacy partner and MUST bring their medications to the Health Center on Arrival Day. All medication orders and directions must be written in English. EXPLO regularly stocks over-the-counter items such as generic Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, and cough suppressants for students to use for minor intermittent issues. Students may not keep such medications in their rooms. Similar to our procedures with the EXPLO medical forms, residential students who take pill-form medication on a regular basis will not be allowed to register with us on Arrival Day if you have not already registered your child with our pharmacy partner.

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INHALERS + EPI-PENS

Any student who is in need of an inhaler(s) will be asked to keep the inhaler(s) in the Health Office. If this presents a problem based on your child’s medical situation, please contact the Registrar prior to the start of the Program. Any student who is in need of an Epi-Pen will keep their Epi-Pen with them throughout the day. Our Health Office keeps a stock of Epi-Pens that can be used as a backup should the need arise.

A Note About Nuts

EXPLO is a nut-free program. All of our meals and snacks are prepared and served in peanut- and tree-nut-free environments to minimize the triggers our more food-sensitive students might face. Students with allergy concerns should contact our office before the start of summer.

About the EXPLO Health Center

An EXPLO Health Center is set up on campus exclusively for EXPLO staff and students. There will be nurses on duty 24/7.

Parents/guardians can contact the EXPLO Health Center by calling the Main Office.

Due to the age of our students, parents will not be notified in the event of basic first aid (cuts, bruises, and scrapes) or the administration of over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments such as an upset stomach, headache, or menstrual cramps. Parents can expect to be contacted prior to a child starting any new prescription such as antibiotics, illnesses that require an overnight stay in the Health Office, or in the event of an accident or serious injury when a child needs to be brought off-site for medical treatment.

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Financials

Payment of Bills

We expect the Program to be filled to capacity — as such, some students will be placed on a waitlist. If any payments are incomplete by April 15, 2022, spaces may be opened to students on the waitlist. Please contact the Registrar at 781.762.7400 with specific questions. After June 1, 2022, all payments must be made by a certified bank check, cash, or credit card. Students who have outstanding balances will not be allowed to register on Arrival Day, nor will they be allowed to remain at the Program.

Miscellaneous Account

Part of the tuition and fees paid by every EXPLO family goes to the student’s Miscellaneous Account. Students may not withdraw cash from the Miscellaneous Account. That account is established for the following purposes:

Trip fees — Trips carry varying fees depending upon the destination. Rather than ask students to handle money for these trips, we deduct those fees directly from their Miscellaneous Account. Replacement IDs — If a student loses or breaks their student ID, we will replace it and deduct the fee from the Miscellaneous Account. If a student’s Miscellaneous Account is running low and needs to be replenished, the EXPLO summer Banker will make all reasonable efforts to contact families to replenish accounts. If a student’s account becomes overdrawn and is not replenished, EXPLO may deduct the overage from the student’s Damage Deposit. Tipping of EXPLO staff — EXPLO has a no-tipping policy. However, the staff works hard all summer to support students and your words of gratitude are appreciated. You are also welcome to make a contribution to our scholarship fund.

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Academics

Our students live and learn alongside their peers: Grades 4+5 (Pioneers) | Grades 6+7 (Voyagers)

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Curricular Information

EXPLO 360°

Students in our multi-course 360° Program choose from more than 50 courses and electives — so they can explore more of what sparks their curiosity and start to step outside of their comfort zone.

EXPLO Junior 360 Courses + Electives

EXPLO Focus

Our Focus programs are designed to provide Voyagers (Grades 6+7) with a deep-dive experience into a single subject area:

Veterinary Science

Emergency Medicine

Architecture + Engineering

Making changes to courses + electives

Most students eagerly anticipate the courses and electives they’ve chosen before the summer. EXPLO Junior courses and electives are just one week long, so it’s too disruptive to students, instructors, and the rest of the class to make a course or elective change once the class has begun. Students who are interested in making a change to a course or elective prior to the week starting should speak with an Instructional Coach within our Office of Teaching and Learning. The Office of Teaching and Learning will check to see if space is available and reach out to the parent/guardian to have a conversation about the request before making any changes.

Classrooms

Students are expected to move quietly in and near classroom buildings. Running, shouting, and playing music are not permitted in classroom buildings.

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At EXPLO, we encourage our students to choose novel activities that pique their curiosity. In doing so, they discover new skills, talents, and interests that they don’t always get to explore in school or at home. We aim to build their confidence and a lifelong love of learning by trying new things, making mistakes, and learning to ask questions that inspire deeper exploration.

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Student Life on Campus

EXPLO Junior at Wheaton College Norton, Massachusetts

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Residential weekday schedule (M-F)

8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:20 a.m. 10:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:15 p.m. Lights Out:

— Breakfast + Quad Time — Morning Greeting — Electives — Morning Activity Assembly — Morning Activities — Lunch + Quad Time — Courses* — Community Meeting — Floor Time — Dinner + Quad Time — Evening Activity Assembly — Evening Activities — Evening Event — Snack + Winding Down Time — Floor Check-In

— 4th + 5th Grade — 6th Grade — 7th Grade + Focus

*Students attend one course period in the afternoon, with a 10-15 minute break about halfway through the period.

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Residential weekend schedule On the weekend, we follow a similar schedule to the weekdays. The main difference is that students do not meet for courses or electives. Rather, students participate in a wide variety of day trips to locations around Boston. On the weekends, students pack a lunch while at breakfast and bring it with them to eat while off-campus and on their trip.

9:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. 10:15 p.m. Lights Out: 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m.

— Breakfast + Quad Time — Weekend Programming — Dinner + Quad Time — Evening Activity Assembly — Evening Activities — Evening Event or Advisor Group Activities — Snack + Winding Down Time — Floor Check-In

— 4th + 5th Grade — 6th Grade — 7th Grade + Focus

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EXPLO IDs

EXPLO IDs (issued at registration) must be worn at all times except while swimming, playing sports, sleeping, or showering. Lost IDs will be replaced for a fee of $5, which will be deducted from the student’s Miscellaneous Account.

Housing + Living Arrangements

HOUSING ASSIGNMENTS Residential students often report that meeting new people from around the world is a highlight of their EXPLO experience. As such, we strive to cultivate new friendships by maintaining geographically diverse Advisor Groups and balancing the number of new and returning students. Most students do not attend EXPLO with a friend. In fact, we encourage students who are attending with friends to seriously consider not rooming together so that they can be more open to meeting new people. Another possibility is to assign friends to the same Advisor Group, but not as roommates. Please think carefully before requesting a friend as a roommate. While we will try to honor mutual roommate requests for friends in the same grade and of the same gender, please note that this may not be possible if the Program elects to house students in single rooms in accordance with current COVID regulations and guidance. There is also the opportunity for students to elect to be on a gender-neutral floor. Please select this option on the Housing Form if you are interested in gender-neutral housing. Note that we offer a variety of opportunities for social connections during the first few days of the Program and, as such, the majority of EXPLO students do not make an Advisor Group request. We will help all students adjust to living with others and being a part of a new community. There are no room changes unless there are exceptional circumstances, and then only with the approval of the Office of Student Life. Students must always sleep in their own rooms.

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LIVING WITH OTHERS Living closely with others is a wonderfully enriching experience for a young person. Over the years, we have seen that students take a great deal of responsibility for working out how to set up a room, establishing the guidelines for living together, and resolving conflicts that arise. While we are intentional about allowing students to take responsibility for the dynamic in the Advisor Group, we are mindful that this is a new experience for many and Advisors will offer close supervision and thoughtful support throughout the weeks that students are with us. From the beginning of the session, our Advisors work with students to negotiate boundaries and compromises to help students get the most of the boarding experience.

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RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS

Many students have never lived closely with peers before. Compromise is important. Respecting each other’s rights, possessions, and space is essential. Our residential staff is trained to work with students to help this happen. We have learned from our experience that students do not necessarily need to be good friends to be courteous and positive members of a living group community. Students may seek help from the Office of Student Life in resolving roommate/groupmate difficulties.

ROOM GUIDELINES

Adornment — Rooms may be decorated tastefully. Students may use blue painter’s tape or adhesive putty to hang decorations on the walls. Students may not use Scotch tape, paste, glue, nails, or tacks to hang wall decorations, and may not hang anything on doors, ceilings, furniture, or woodwork. Alcoholic beverage containers or posters that contain references to drugs or alcohol may not be used as decoration. No candles, incense, matches, lighters, firecrackers, crepe paper, or other flammable substances are permitted in the dorms. Students should check with their Advisors if they have any questions. Security — Rooms cannot be locked. Students are not allowed to have any money in their rooms. Students should leave expensive radios, music players, and cameras at home. Passports and other valuables must be kept in the Program’s safe. Respecting spaces — As described in the EXPLO Rules + Standards, EXPLO students are expected to treat all residential spaces with care, including dorm rooms and bathroom spaces. Please report any accidental damage promptly to an Advisor. If facilities are damaged beyond regular wear and tear, students may get charged for such damage. Meals THE DINING HALL Students must wear shoes in the dining hall as required by state law. Vegetarian options are available at each meal. Students with special dietary requirements should call our Norwood office ( 781.762.7400) before the beginning of the Program to make appropriate arrangements.

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Laundry Laundry (standard wash and dry) is picked up on Thursday and returned on Saturday each week, not including departure weekends. Please avoid sending clothing that requires special cleaning procedures (hand-washing, hang dry, etc.) and be mindful that students will spill things on their clothing but we are not set up to pre-treat stains. Swimming There are a number of opportunities on- and off-campus for students to swim while attending the Program, including access to the Wheaton College pool. Students will have the opportunity to complete a swim test during their time at EXPLO. The test consists of swimming roughly 30yds unassisted and treading water for one minute. Students who do not take or successfully pass the swim test may still participate in Free Swim activities but are required to wear a lifejacket (provided by EXPLO) while in the pool. Some field trips, such as Water Wizz, require students to pass the swim test in order to attend. Advisors will share the swim test schedule with students.

EXPLO alumni who have previously passed the swim test are not required to take the test again.

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Multi-session Students

On Friday, July 15, 2022, first session residential students will be leaving and the new residential students will arrive on Sunday, July 17, 2022, allowing a full weekend to clean and freshen the dorms. We will care for and entertain all six-week students between the end of the first session and the start of the second session, including an extended Saturday trip, featuring lunch, dinner, and entertainment. If parents/guardians or friends are planning to visit six-week students, we request that students be picked up by 12:00 p.m. on Friday and returned to the Program on Sunday between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Due to fluctuations in living groups between sessions, two-session students may need to move to a new room for the second session.

Lost + Found

EXPLO begins packing up to leave Wheaton on the last day of the Program (Friday, August 5, 2022) and will be finished moving out by Tuesday, August 9, 2022. We do have a lost and found at the Program and make every attempt to return lost items to students. If your child realizes they have lost something after leaving the Program, please call us as soon as possible to maximize the possibility of returning the item. We cannot store lost items for an indefinite period of time. The likelihood that we will be able to locate and return items after the end of August is very small. We encourage students to label all belongings before coming to the Program, which greatly increases the chances of return. EXPLO is not responsible for lost items. We strongly recommend leaving valuables at home.

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The EXPLO Team on Campus

Head of Program, EXPLO Junior

DAVID TORCOLETTI.

A wise and compassionate mentor to legions of students and educators, David is a beloved teacher and leader. He began his education career at Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH), where he taught photography, lived in a dormitory, and coached. He went on to become a House Director, Campus Dean, and eventually, School Dean. While there, he was twice honored with the faculty residential life award. David then moved to Milton Academy, where he was a teacher and Dean of Students. In addition to leading EXPLO Junior, David consults with and advises independent schools and presents at professional conferences on student life issues. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University and earned his M.F.A. at Bard College as a Milton Avery Scholar. David is also a nationally recognized fine arts photographer with numerous museum and gallery shows to his credit. David has worked at EXPLO since 1998, and each summer moves to campus, bringing with him his family, including Rosie, a rescue dog who is part border collie and part mystery.

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Office of Student Life Staff The Office of Student Life staff live at the Program and are available to students and parents/guardians every day to help deal with all types of issues, large and small.

ADVISORS

Each Advisor Group has two Advisors who live on the hall to help students with questions, problems, or concerns, as well as daily tasks such as waking up, cleaning up, and bedtime. Advisors meet with their students many times throughout the day.

RESIDENCE DIRECTORS (RDS)

Each Advisor Group has two RDs who supervise the Advisors and oversee the Advisor Groups. RDs help students and staff with problem-solving and discipline issues, and work closely with the Dean of Students. RDs are the main communication link with parents/ guardians. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, you will want to speak with their RDs.

DEAN OF STUDENTS AND ASSISTANT DEANS

The Dean of Students and Assistant Deans live at the Program and are available to speak with parents/guardians as well as students. The roles of the Dean and Assistant Deans are to actively support and supervise the Residence Directors and ensure the health and safety of the EXPLO community through planning, communication, and problem-solving.

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