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Frequently Asked Questions
Which geology course should I have taken prior to attending camp?
We recommend that students have successfully completed courses in
Mineralogy/Petrology, Sedimentation/Stratigraphy and Structural Geology. A
lower level field course is a plus. We also recommend junior or senior
standing.
How much does it cost to attend summer camp?
The Camp Fee of $4500.00 covers all costs for accommodations, travel and
food for the duration of the camp – from the first day to the last day. It
does not cover personal expenses such as toilet items, laundry, telephone,
alcoholic or soda beverages. (See also FAQ: What does the summer camp fee
cover?)
There also is tuition charged by Boise State for the 6-credits of coursework. The University refers to “tuition” as “course fees”. The present rate of tuition or “course fees” is $222.00 per credit. Idaho residents and non-resident pay the same rate.
Note: Boise State University refers to “tuition” as “fees”. If you go to Broncoweb (http://broncoweb.boisestate.edu/) there is reference to “fees” rather than tuition. Do not confuse these “fees” with the Camp Fee.
What does the Summer Camp Fee cover?
The camp fee covers al costs for accommodations, travel, museum admissions,
and food for the duration of the camp – from the first day to the last day.
It does not cover personal expenses such as laundry,
telephone, alcoholic or soda beverages, cost of bus trips to downtown areas,
taxis (not required by summer camp activities) and similar expenses.
Your camp fee covers all the costs of lodging and food from the official start of camp. Some students chose to come to Sardinia a few days earlier and/or stay a few days later. Unfortunately those expenses cannot be covered by the camp fee. We can make accommodations for students but they are responsible for their own expenses. Of course the camp fee does not cover the cost of air travel to Sardinia.
If I send in an application does it obligate me to attend?
If you are seriously interested in our camp, it is suggested that you
send an application as soon as possible. An application does not obligate
you to attend camp. Nor does the application guarantee you a slot in the
camp. You are guaranteed a slot in camp after you have been accepted and
we have received the first installment of the camp fee.
With your application in our records, we can notify you when the camp is nearing capacity and send you updates and other information about the camp and Sardinia.
What are lodging accommodations like?
During our fist twelve days of camp we stay at a youth hostel. It is very
clean, modern, and very pleasant; students sleep in dormitory-style quarters
– men in one facility and women in another. During the Gennargentu camp, for 3
or 4 days, we stay
in chalet-like stone cabins in the mountains; each accommodates four men or
four women and has its own bath. The next 6 days we stay in modern condos
within site of and a two-minute walk from the sea and beaches. Each condo
has two baths, three bedrooms with two beds each. Same sex students share
one bedroom. The third camp site is a hotel where 2 or 3 students share a
room and a bath or a small apartment.
What is the camp food like?
The evening meals consist of traditional Italian food prepared by
professional chefs – some of the food is good and some is exceptionally good
– outstanding. Usually the evening meal includes a pasta or rice dish
(called “il: primo”); followed by a dish of fish and or meat, with
vegetables (called: “il secondo”). All meals have bread, salad, water, etc.
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks may be purchased separately.
Breakfasts are simple – sometimes just coffee, tea and or milk with rolls, butter and jam; sometimes, coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate, rolls and cold cuts.
Lunches: We make our own lunches – Excellent Italian cold cuts, variety of cheeses, fresh Italian bread, veggies, fruit, and water. Students may make as many sandwiches as they care to consume.
Food is abundant and good. If you like GOOD Italian food you will enjoy our camp food. However, we always accommodate students who do not eat fish, who are vegetarians or who do not eat pork.
All places we stay allow for vegetarian dishes.
What are the application and registration procedures?
Step 1: Apply for admission to camp. The application form is available
on line at:
http://earth.boisestate.edu/SummerCamp/application.htm
Step 2: After you have been notified that you have been admitted to camp and you did not attend Boise State during the previous semester, you must enroll as a Boise State student. You need to apply for admission to Boise State University – this is a formality to get your name into the system. For admissions information and to apply for admission, go to: http://admissions.boisestate.edu/. You will be accepted in a few days and will be given a Boise State University student ID number.
Step 3: Contact Liz Johansen (EJOHANSE@boisestate.edu) and give her your Boise State ID number. She will open an account with the office of “payments and disbursements” (The Cashier’s office) so you can make payments towards the camp fee. After the first (non-refundable) payment is made, you will be guaranteed a spot in the camp.
Step 4: Register for the course – Geology Summer Field Camp. Formally the course is: GEOL 482 GEOLOGY SUMMER FIELD CAMP – 6 credits. Registration for summer school begins in late March and can be done via BroncoWeb at: http://broncoweb.boisestate.edu/
Step 5: Obtain an international student card from your university’s office of International Studies.
Do I need a passport or a visa?
YES. A passport is needed for non-Italians to travel in Italy and it is
a great means of ID everywhere in the world. Make sure that you apply for
one long before May. The new travel security measures may make obtaining a
passport a bit longer process – don’t wait for the last minute. Visas are
not required for US citizens in most European countries; if you are not a US
citizen you may need a visa.
What immunizations are required?
Immunizations are not required for travel to Italy and most European
countries – HOWEVER. It is always a good idea to be immunized against
Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Tetanus. It is strongly recommend that every
student check with his or her physician before traveling overseas! Check out
the following sites:
www.cdc.gov/travel or
www.who.int/ith for information.
Do I need to speak Italian?
No. Camp staff members speak Italian and the camp is conducted in English.
Further, most merchants and public servants in Italy understand English in
various capacities. However, many students find it interesting to know some
phrases and a few “polite” words; these are available from travel guides.
How do I get to camp?
Students must arrive at the airport in Alghero, Sardinia – no
other airport! Students who arrive at the Olbia or Cagliari airports (the
two other major airports in Sardinia) will have to travel to Alghero on
their own.
The easiest way might be to take a flight to Rome and from there to Alghero. There are several airlines that provide service from Rome to Alghero.
The least expensive might be to travel to London and then take Ryan Air to Alghero. Ryan Air is very inexpensive but they charge heavily for checked baggage heavier than approximately 30 pounds. One also needs to transfer to Stansted Airport, and in most cases, an overnight in London is required, either on the way in or on the return.
When you arrive in Sardinia, camp staff will meet you at the Alghero airport; they will also take you to that airport on the last day of camp.
Cheap tickets for students are available through “student universe”. http://www.studentuniverse.com/
The following sites are some that offer low airfares:
http://www.Expedia.com
http://www.CheapTickets.com
http://www.ORBITZ.com
Money Matters: Should I take Travelers’ Checks with me for personal
expenses?
NO. Travelers’ Checks
are easily forged and subsequently they are
difficult to cash except at banks – and with difficulty. Further, banking
hours may not be compatible with the camp schedule. Nearly all our camp
locations will have ATMs, called “bancomats”. These dispense local funds
(Euros) at a good rate of exchange available that day. There may be a charge
for this service but usually it is not much more than the charge for cashing
travelers’ checks.
It may be useful to use the ATMs because: 1) they are open 24 hours/day; 2) There is no need to carry large sums of cash or travelers’ checks; 3) Bank cards usually provide a record of the transactions with the monthly statement.
Will I be able to call home from camp?
All our locations have public telephones with international access
except the 3-day stay in the mountains of the Gennargentu. Calling cards can
be purchased to make local and international calls. Camp staff members have
cellular phones; you will be requested to give the number to your folks back
home to be used in case of emergency. Also you will be able to make
emergency calls with these phones. Cell phones can be purchased
in Italy for local or international calls.
What personal items should I take with me?
The camp website gives you a list of required and suggested items. In
general it is wise to travel light and save yourself big headaches and extra
charges. You will have laundry facilities available in or near most of the
places we stay. You can buy necessities in Italy; prices are comparable and
more than likely they are the same items that you have available in the US.
Before you pack, ask yourself if you really need each item and if in
doubt – leave it out.
For more information contact: Claude Spinosa cspinosa@boisestate.edu
Boise State University
Department of Geosciences MS-1535
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725-1535
Phone: 208-426-1631
Fax: 208-426-4061