EXPLO Junior Residential Program for Grades 4-7

Industry Leading Student Care

EXPLO’s residential life program is truly exceptional. Again and again, families have told us that they had no idea what exceptional student care was until their children attended EXPLO. We hold a firm belief that there is as much to learn from having a roommate and living with others as there is from any academic course. Given that, EXPLO invests tremendous resources in ensuring the student life experience is robust and that students are well cared for and supervised. EXPLO has the best staff- student ratio of any campus-based summer program.

8:00 AM — Breakfast
9:15 AM — Morning Greeting
9:20 AM — Electives
10:45 AM — Activities

Students attend one elective period in the morning. Our electives are designed for students to take charge of their learning, fan the flames of their curiosity, and ignite a passion for a range of subjects as they explore their strengths and interests. Students take three courses and three electives over the course of the session.

11:45 AM — Lunch + Quad Time
1:00 PM — Community Meeting
1:45 PM — Courses
4:05 PM — Quad Time
4:30 PM — Floor Time

Hands-on courses immerse students in topics that interest them. From Hovercraft Physics and Medieval Battle Contraptions to Treehouse Architecture and Commercial Illustration — there is so much to explore! Community Meeting brings the whole EXPLO Junior program together to share a joke of the day, student performances, the EXPLO favorite Minute to Win It competition, and so much more.

5:15 PM — Dinner
6:20 PM — Late Day Dismissal (optional)
6:30 PM — Evening Activities
7:30 PM — Evening Event
8:30 PM — Winding Down Time
8:45 PM — Floor Check-In

Lights Out:

9:30 — Grades 4 + 5
10:00PM — Grades 6 + 7

Before winding down for the day, our students can grab a spot for movie night, catch a magic show, laugh out loud at the stylings of an improv comedy troupe, or take to the stage themselves — the possibilities are endless. Events EXPLO has hosted in summers past include Carnival Night, EXPLO’s Got Talent, Pool Parties, Camp-Out Movie, Game Show Night, and more!

8:00 AM — Breakfast
9:00 AM — Trips
12:00 PM — Lunch (Off-campus bagged lunch)
4:00 PM — Trips return to campus
5:00 PM — Dinner
6:15 PM — Evening Assembly
6:30 PM — Evening Activity
7:30 PM — Evening Event or Advisor Group Activities
8:30 PM — Snack
9:00 PM — Floor Check-In

Lights out:

9:30 PM — Grades 4+ 5
10:00 PM — Grades 6+ 7

Weekend trips are a chance for residential students to experience different cultural, culinary, and recreational adventures in Boston and around New England. Not everyone has to go on the same trip — there are more than 10 options to choose from each weekend. Students sign up for trips once they’re at the program and can take four trips each session, so there’s a chance for them to do something they know they love to do and to try something new! Past trips have included Faneuil Hall, amusement + water parks, The New England Aquarium, an MLB game at Fenway Park, indoor skydiving, and more.

Airport
We know that one of the big concerns about traveling far from home is transportation. Our staff — easily identifiable in their bright orange EXPLO t-shirts — meets students at the airport, escorts them to campus, and helps students settle in. On Arrival Day, staff members remain at the airport until we know that the last student has been picked up.

When it’s time to return home at the end of the session, we take students back to the airport — and stay there until we’re sure everyone is safe and in the air.

The cost for airport transportation is $100 each way, and if a student is flying as an unaccompanied minor, there is an additional charge of $50 each way.

Car
Families may arrive between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on the first day of their session. On departure day, students will be packed and ready to greet their families between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. EXPLO signs will direct you through to registration

Most students will be housed in double rooms with a traditional multi-stall hall bathroom. We encourage families to work with their Admission Counselor to discuss housing for their child. Each student is part of a living group. There are two residential advisors per living group and the group is comprised of students from a diverse array of backgrounds. Living groups are determined based on student grade and gender identity, with an option for mixed-grade gender-inclusive housing should space be available.

Each living group is also supervised by two residential directors who work closely with the deans and assistant deans in the Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Life is focused on ensuring each student feels a sense of belonging at the program and is thriving. Since most students have never lived in a residence hall and most have never had a roommate, members of the Office of Student Life guide and advise students through this new experience.

Most students are assigned a roommate they do not know and this is a wonderful opportunity for students to get to know someone new. We recommend that if friends come to the program that they do not live with one another, but they instead can request to be in the same living group. That said, students may choose specific roommates as long as both students are in the same grade, same gender, and they request one another.

Students are not permitted to have cell phones or laptop computers with them on campus for the duration of the Program. For students traveling on their own, EXPLO can safely these devices store until departure. Communication will be through EXPLO phones.

Kindles, e-readers, and tablets that cannot access the internet on their own are permitted. We strongly encourage students to keep these valuables in their rooms.

In order to establish a support system with the other members of the EXPLO community, students may not make or receive calls during the first week of the Program. Students may call home beginning the second Monday of each session from a shared phone on their floor.

Families can always call the Main Office and connect with the Office of Student Life for an update on their child or to leave a message.

From day one, families may send emails to students using the student messaging service on the Student Portal. Students will not have access to their personal email accounts.

Students may receive send and receive snail mail and should bring stamps with them to the program. Most families go the session without sending packages, however you are welcome to send packages to students. Families should not send food, candy, or toiletries/products containing nuts or nut oils.

Each week, EXPLO Junior students send out their laundry to a laundry service. Should they need help, students are assisted in preparing their laundry bags by their residential advisors.