2025 WELCOME RRIVAL PACKET &
Dear Students and Families,
On behalf of the entire Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking team, we are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to you all! We are beyond excited to embark on this journey with each of you and eagerly look forward to the enriching experiences that lie ahead.
This summer promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with discovery, learning, and personal growth. As we prepare to welcome you to Philadelphia, we will ensure you have all the information and resources necessary to make the most of your time with us. That’s why, enclosed in this packet, you’ll find essential details about the program, including schedules, important contacts, and tips to help you prepare for your arrival.
But more than just academic enrichment, this program is about forging connections, building friendships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, interact with world-renowned faculty, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Philadelphia- a city rich in history, diversity, and innovation.
As we count down the days until our program begins, know that the entire team is here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions or concerns or want to share your excitement, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Once again, welcome to the summer program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking (PACT)! Get ready for an incredible journey - we can’t wait to meet you and see what amazing things we’ll accomplish together.
Warm regards,
Evan Huckfeldt Director
BOLD Summers
Rajiv Gandhi, Ph.D Director
Matthew Quintero Resident Director
BOLD Summers
ENGAGE WITH PENN MED PROGRAM
BOLD Summers will have two high school programs in Lauder Hall this summer. Starting June 29, all PACT participants will live, eat, and enjoy social activities with the participants of the Penn Medicine program. Get ready to make even more friends!
MEET YOUR STAFF
Our residential staff will support and guide our participants throughout the PACT Summer Program. Hailing from diverse backgrounds and cultures worldwide, our dedicated team members bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to ensure that students’ experiences are enriching and memorable. Before students arrive, our staff undergoes thorough training to ensure they are well-equipped to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for all participants. From organizing activities to offering mentorship and assistance, our residential staff is committed to fostering a welcoming community where students can thrive academically and personally.
Get ready to meet an incredible team of individuals who are here to support students every step of the way!
USA
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA MAP
Explore University Life at the University of Pennsylvania! Students will live, learn, eat, and explore our beautiful campus.
LEGEND: 1-DORM, 2-DINING HALL, 3-PACT ACADEMICS, 4-GYM, 5-BOOKSTORE, 6-PENN MED ACADEMICS
CampusSafetyGuidelines
1.StudentsandStaffmeetwithPennPoliceonDay1oftheprogram.
2.PennPolicearevisibleandapproachablethroughoutcampus24/7.
3.EmergencyPhonesandChaperoneServicesareavailablethroughoutcampus.
4.Studentsmustremainwithintheapprovedboundarymap,whichisstaffedbyBOLD Summers.
5.Studentsmustsignin/out.
6.Studentscanonlytraveloutsidetheresidencehallingroupsof3.
7.AllbuildingsarelockedandaccessedusingtheprovidedPennIDcard.
8.Frontdeskattendantinresidencehall.
*Thecampusmapissubjecttochange.Afinalcalendarwillbeprovidedattheon-campus orientation.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Below is a suggested packing list for the PACT Program. Students will have access to washers and dryers in their residence halls.
CASUAL CLOTHING
This is what you will wear most days, for evening events, and on weekends)
Pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, dresses
Sweaters, sweatshirts, raincoat
Athletic wear, sleepwear, undergarments
Casual shoes, socks
Bathing suit, Beach towel
Closed toe shoes for labs, practical sessions, exercise/working out
Clothing for events such as: going downtown, casino night, dance party, talent show, sports competition
BUSINESS CASUAL ATTIRE (3-4 EVENTS)
For academic guest speakers, social trips, and presentations.
Tops, pants, skirt, pant suit, dress
Shoes, accessories
ID CARDS
Students and all family/visitors must bring an approved form of ID - Unexpired, signed, valid government issued ID, with photo (i.e. driver’s license, military ID, passport, green card, etc.), on arrival day to receive the Penn Card and/or gain access to the residence on move-in day.
LINENS
Bring your own linens or rent a package from UPenn by completing the form in your online account
2 Bath Towels
Hand towel
Bedsheets: Extra-long twin
Pillow and pillow case
Blanket (dorms are air conditioned)
LAUNDRY
Students will have access to free washers and dryers in the dorms. You will need to bring the following supplies:
Laundry detergent (travel size)
Dryer softener sheets
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
Forget something? There are a lot of convenience stores you can shop at throughout campus.
TOILETRIES & SHOWER
We recommend you bring a tote to carry these items to bathrooms
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Soap & soap container
Shampoo & conditioner
Deodorant & sunscreen
Comb/brush and hair dyer
Bathrobe and shower shoes
Eyeglasses, contact lenses, case and solution
Other personal toiletries as needed
MEDICATIONS
Any medication(s) taken must be listed on your health form
Prescription medications (medicines are kept in the students room, and student must be able to self-administer) Over the counter medication
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
This is a basic list. Many items can be purchased in the bookstore or local grocery stores
Notebook and pen
International power converter
Chargers and powerstrip
Clothes hangers and umbrella
Passport (if international)
Tickets/travel documents
Credit/debit card/spending money
Refillable water bottle
OUR BEAUTIFUL HOME
Lauder College House allows students to live, dine, and build community in state-of-the-art facilities! Participants will live in spacious suite-style rooms ranging from doubles to sixperson suites, with private bedrooms and one or two baths.
OUR BEAUTIFUL HOME
Mailing Address
All mail and packages can be sent to the BOLD Summers & ESF Headquarters Office. Please use the following format:
STUDENT NAME
BOLD SUMMERS- PACT
750 E. HAVERFORD RD
BRYN MAWR, PA, 19010
PLEASE NOTE: Mail and packages are only delivered during business days, and it may take one additional day for the package to be given to your student once it arrives at our headquarters office.
4 BED 1 BATH
*Residence hall is subject to change. If anything changes, we will notify students & families
GETTING TO THE PROGRAM GETTING TO THE PROGRAM
We can’t wait to meet you in Philadelphia, PA!
Check-in is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM at Lauder College House.
Getting to The University of Pennsylvania and the PACT Program
Driving: Lauder College House: 3335 Woodland Walk Philadelphia, PA 19104
Flying: Philadelphia International Airport
Train: William H. Gray III 30th Street Station: 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Shuttle service is available for students arriving in Philadelphia by plane or train. Do not forget to request the service in your registration forms.
SHUTTLE & MEETING POINTS
Students signed up for the BOLD Shuttle will receive an email at least 3 days before arrival with specific shuttle instructions. If you enrolled for the BOLD Summers Shuttle Service, below is where you will meet our staff:
AIRPORT:
Domestic Arrivals - Meet our staff at your assigned baggage claim
International Arrivals - Meet our staff at the international arrivals hall/terminal
TRAIN:
Meet our staff in the main lobby next to the large statue of an angel
REMINDER:
Additional charges will be applied to your account for these services
GETTING TO THE PROGRAM WHAT TO EXPECT AT CHECK-IN
Check-in is from 2:00 PM - to 4:30 PM at the residence hall
Everyone needs a Photo ID (participant, parents, guardians, siblings) to enter the residence hall.
Time to unpack, settle in, and prepare for the program to start.
Residential staff will be available at the residence hall, Philadelphia International Airport, and 30th Street Station.
For students being dropped off, the student should be dropped off at the residence hall, and then the family member will find parking where available.
Penn should have staff assisting with traffic between 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM; staff will direct cars to the appropriate parking areas.
*Due to the high volume of drop-off traffic, cars cannot park outside of the residence hall
ARRIVAL DAY SCHEDULE
2:00PM - 4:30PM
5:00PM - 5:30PM
5:30PM - 6:30PM
6:30PM - 7:30PM
7:30PM - 9:00PM
9:00PM - 9:30PM
10:30PM
Registration & Move-in
Staff introductions & UPenn Police Talk
Dinner
Campus Tour
Icebreakers & Orientation
Floor Meeting & Get Ready for Tomorrow
In-room Curfew
SOCIAL CALENDAR
PERMISSION TO TEMPORARILY LEAVE CAMPUS & THE PROGRAM
Permission to Temporarily Leave Campus and the Program
Occasionally, students may want to visit friends or family. Travel off campus during the week is discouraged, as students are generally busy with their academics and will not be approved to miss class. On occasion, weekend travel is approved at the discretion of the Residential Director.
All requests to travel off campus and temporarily leave the program must be submitted in advance using the provided form in your Welcome and Arrival Guide and program emails. If approved, students must be checked out of the program by the adult listed in the request form. For a student to leave the program, the approved visitor(s) must come to the assigned residence hall lobby with a valid photo ID and sign the student out with a BOLD Summers team member.
To return to campus, students must return no later than the 10:00 PM EST curfew and be signed in with the visitor(s) who signed the student out. Students cannot leave the program during class times, and if a student is signed out overnight, they must return to campus before their classes start.
Please note that visitors (including family members) cannot enter the residence hall. Visitors must meet the student in the residence hall lobby. If a student leaves the program, approved boundaries, or enters a car without being signed out at any point, it may result in being dismissed from the program.
Visitors on Campus
Students cannot sign visitors into the residence halls. Only registered students and BOLD Summers staff can enter the halls. If a student wants to visit with a friend or family on site, they should meet in a common area or restaurant.
Permission Form Link
MEAL PLANS
From cheesesteaks to soft pretzels, be prepared to enjoy something delicious!
STUDENT MEAL PLAN
INCLUDED IN TUITION
18 of the 21 meals per week
Mixture of Dining Hall and stipend meals
DINING HALL SWIPES
Monday- Friday Breakfasts
3 Dinners during the week
Sunday Dinner
STIPENDS
Sunday Brunch
Monday- Friday lunch
2 Dinner during the week
MEALS THAT STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
Saturday Lunch & Dinner Breakfast on Sundays
POPULAR DINING AROUND THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
GROCERY & CONVENIENCE STORES
ACME Markets
Gourmet Grocer
Houston Market
Wawa
GIANT Market
COFFEE AND BAKERY
Dunkin’ Donuts
Joe’s Café
Metropolitan Bakery
Pret A Manager
Saxbys Penn
Spread Bagerly
Starbucks
Haraz Coffee House
DESSERTS
Ben & Jerry’s Insomnia Cookies
Kiwi Yogurt
Van Leeuwen
MEAL PLANS
Did you know Reading Terminal Market has more than 75 small business food options?
PIZZA
&Pizza
Pitruco Pizza
Zesto Pizza
AMERICAN
Delco Steaks
Five Guys
Franklin’s Table
High Street Hoagies
HipCityVeg
Panera Bread
White Dog Cafe
Hangry Joes
Mcdonalds
SALADS
Dig.
Just Salad
Sweetgreen
MEDITERRANEAN
Goldie
Greek Lady
Honeygrow
ASIAN & SUSHI
DK Sushi
O’Chatto Hand Drawn Noodles
PaperMill Fresh Asian Kitchen
POD
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea
Sang Kee Noodle House
NanXian Express Soup Dumplings
Em Oi Vietnamese Cafe
Gong Cha
Maki Sushi
MEXICAN
El Taco
Qdoba
Chipotle Mexan Grill
INDIAN
Amma's South Indian Cuisine
EKTA Indian Cuisine
DON’T FORGET TO COMPLETE YOUR REQUIRED REGISTRATION FORMS IN YOUR ONLINE PORTAL!
AllformsmustbecompletedandsubmittedbyMay19th.
Theseinclude:
ArrivalInformation
DepartureInformation
HealthInformation,HealthWaiver,HealthInsurance
Information
StudentProfile
EmergencyContactInformation
UniversityofPennsylvania,localhospitals,andBOLD
Summerswaiver
Uploadingaphoto
*AllrequirementsshouldsayCompletedorReceived
TUITION AND TRAVEL PROTECTION
There will be no refunds. However, you can use the funds towards other PACT programs. For example, if you have paid tuition for the PACT virtual component and your plans change, you can use the funds towards the PACT 2025-26 yearround program, which covers topics in Algorithm Design and which builds on the topics we covered in summer. If you have paid tuition for the in-person component and for any reason you cannot do the in-person component in 2025, you can use the funds towards the virtual program in summer 2025 and towards the yearround program 2025-26. Please note that all funds have to be used in 2025. The funds cannot be used towards PACT programs that begin in future years.
Tuition, Travel, and Health Insurance
BOLDSummerspartnerswithTravMarktoofferacomprehensiveTravelProtectionandTuition Insuranceplan.Wehighlyrecommendpurchasingthisadditionalcoveragetoprotectyour tuitioninvestment.Learnmoreatboldsummers.com/protection.
TravMarkoffersUnitedHealthcareGlobalSafeTriptravelprotectionplansforresidents outsidetheUnitedStates.Unlikemanyplansforinternationalparticipantsthattypically provideemergencymedicalexpensesandmedicalevaluationcoverageonly,SafeTripplanscan offeradditionalbenefitssuchastripcancellation,interruptionordelay,lost,damaged,or stolenluggage,andemergencymedicalexpenses.Fordetailsaboutthisplan,visit: https://www.uhcsafetrip.com/partner/TM/
Rajiv Gandhi, Ph.D
Evan Huckfeldt
Susan Gambescia
