Trip # Assigned: ___________ Leader Name: Kathy Didier
_____________________________
Destination: Cotswolds, England
APPLICATION TO LEAD AN AMC MAJOR EXCURSION
If possible, please fill this form out electronically so that it can be distributed by email.
Type on or over lines and directly into the appropriate sections of tables. When
responding to Yes/No questions, please delete the answer you do not want so that only
the appropriate answer remains. If you are filling out a hard copy, please attach
additional pages if you find there is not enough space to answer thoroughly.
I. TRIP PROPOSED
Trip Title: Cotswolds Walking Tour
(Will come up with more creative title when I have time to think about
it.)_________________________________________________________________
Type of Trip: Day Hiking ______________________
Date: Start _June 4, 2004 End June 13, 2004 Length of Trip – Ten days including travel
Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum # 9 Maximum # 15___________
Brief outline of trip and trip activities. You may write or type below or attach as a
separate sheet. A complete itinerary with all available contact information must be
provided before departure.
I am requesting that this be a one leader trip. I will be working with
three local guides. One is Martin Hunt with whom I have worked
several times in the past. If not approved….I will run this as a private
trip….but, would really like to do it as an AMC Major Excursion. It is
a win-win situation. AMC gets the 10% and the participants are not
overcharged!
Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands)?
If yes, please explain what permits will be needed and how/when they will be
acquired.
NO
No special permits are required of me as AMC leader. My local guides will provide
any that may prove to be necessary.
Equipment: Does the trip require special technical equipment?
No
Educational Aspect: What are the specific education, conservation, or recreation
components of this trip?
Education: Great Britain’s History and Cotswolds in particular
Conservation: Flora and fauna of the Cotswolds. My guides are big on
environmental education.
Recreation: We will offer seven day hikes.
Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter? Yes
Why or why not?
I prefer to use local guides as they know the area of the Cotswolds and can give a
much better tour than I can by reading a book and staying one day ahead of the
group. They can offer visits to places that we would never find in a guidebook. It
will be a much more educational experience using their services.
______________________________________________________________
Who are they? _
Martin Hunt
Adventureline
North Trefula Farm
Redruth
Cornwall TR16 5ET
England.
Martin was my guide on two AMC trips in Cornwall, England. He has visited me in NH and I
introduced him to the White Mountains.
When Martin leads trips in Cotswolds, he uses two of his friends for the local hikes. They are John
and Carole Sidgwick. Carol is a “Blue Badge Guide”.
________________________________________________________________
What is their safety record? _They all have an excellent record. No mishaps on their
trips. ______________________________________________________
Do they have liability insurance? Adventureline (Martin Hunt) does have public liability
insurance. ___________________________________________________
Can they provide a certificate of insurance listing AMC as an additional party insured?
No
How do they handle emergencies? _Call by cell phone for assistance when on trail. Hike
out to our vehicles. Transport injured or ill person to medical facility.
________________________________________________
II. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information
Leader: Kathy Didier
Co-Leader: This trip will have no CoLeader
Address: PO Box C
Address:
Woodstock, NH 03293
Home Phone: 603-726-3553
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Work Phone:
Email: kdidier@coopresources.net
Email:
B) First Aid Training – To lead a Major Excursion, you must have current CPR and
Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or its equivalent at the time of your trip.
Course
Leader
Exp. Date
4/04
Copy Attached
Course
Co-Leader
Exp. Date Copy Attached
4/04
AWFA
Other cert.:
Other cert.:
If copies of CPR and WFA or equivalent are not attached, please detail your specific plan
to obtain this certification.
My current CPR and AWFA are on file with AMC. I am scheduled to take CPR
and AWFA through SOLO the weekend of April 23-25, 2004.
C) Leader Experience and Training
New Leaders: If you are a new leader or co-leader, you must have submitted the form
“Application to Become a Major Excursions Leader.” Please attach a copy of that from.
Experienced Major Excursions Leaders: Please list below the last three trips you have led
for the AMC including destination, type of trip (backpacking, skiing, etc.), dates, and
number of participants. Feel free to list additional trips you have led, particularly if they
demonstrate experience related to the trip you are proposing.
D) 1. Guatemala, July 2003, Cuernavaca, Mexico, March 2003, Arran Isle, July
2002, Northern Ireland, June 2002, Bolivia/Peru, March 2002
E)
F) Scouting: Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area? No
I have been to London and to Cornwall…but, never have been to the Cotswolds.
G) Special Experience: What special skills or experience are required to lead this trip and
how do you or your co-leader bring these skills and experience?
I lead similar trips on a regular basis. Most important skill is ability to work well
with other people. The hikes are not very difficult on this trip.
H) Couples: If leader and co-leader are a couple or have some other close personal
relationship, what are your back up plans if one if you cannot go and the other must
stay behind as well? Or if you are in the field and both of you must return?
If for some reason, I was not able to make the trip at the last minute, Martin Hunt,
my guide, would meet the group when they arrive at Heathrow and look after them
until they get back on plane for trip home. Since my trip would have already been
paid for, I would not have any trouble finding another AMC leader to take my
place. Names…..Dorothy Halligan (retired) would be happy to take my place.
Dottie took the ME Leadership Training in Nov. 2001 and co-led trip to Patagonia
with Nancy Dimeo in 2001. . I have worked with many co-leaders in the past who
could easily step in if necessary.
I) Medical History: Both leader and co-leader need to have a recent copy of the AMC
Confidential Medical Form on file at 5 Joy St. This form can be obtained online at
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ or call Katherine Byers at 617-523-0655 x333 to
receive a hard copy by mail. On File from my last trip.
III. RISK ASSESSMENT
A) Please assess the risks/hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and
how it may affect your trip with specific potential hazards. Then, devise a plan to
attempt to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary.
Areas of Risk
Climate/Terrain:
trail conditions,
weather, etc.
Potential Hazards
Blisters on feet, sprained
ankle,
Prevention/Response
Stop to take care of problems before they
get worse. Be sure everyone has proper
footwear.
Foreign Countries: No more than we have in the
political concerns,
USA.
crime, language
translation
Transportation:
Using local bus company
vehicles, drivers,
insurance
Stay home.
Participants:
skill level, health,
group dynamics
On this trip, I can offer easy alternative
hikes or days off for cultural pursuits.
On occasion, participants are
not truthful when completing
application and are under
qualified.
They have strict regulations
Other:
B) Emergency Action Plan
Before you leave for you trip, you will need to provide a list of participants and their
emergency contacts in case something happens to someone in the field as well as an
itinerary with phone numbers (where available) in case something happens at home. In
the space below, please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Please use as
much detail as possible and attach additional sheets if necessary.
Emergency Communication (phone contacts, language, documentation)
Language is English. Guides carry cell phones. I will give each participant and
AMC a list of emergency contact numbers.
Evacuation (out of backcountry location, out of foreign country)
We will be out on the trails…but, not really in backcountry. Rescue would be
similar to an injury on Mt. Monadnock. Lots of people…call local rescue people
from cell phone.
Medical Care (local medical facilities – location and quality)
The closest good medical facility is in Stroud, ten minutes by car from our Inn in
Painswick. There is a big hospital in Cheltenham about 30 minutes away. For very
serious problems, person could be transported to London. We will not be in a
remote location.
IV. COST INFORMATION
Your application to lead a trip will not be accepted if a detailed cost analysis is not
attached.
A) Estimated cost per participant with minimum # _$1740_________ with maximum #
_$1840__________
Cost per participant to be listed in AMC Outdoors __$1840__________
I have not included the cost of the participants’ flights in cost of trip. I included
$600 in the budget to cover my flight. It is my intention to handle all of the
airline reservations using the participants credit cards. If anyone chooses to use
their own frequent flyer miles, that is fine with me. They will be told where we
are meeting and at what time. If I included the cost of tickets, I would have to
estimate on the high side…..$800 and that would make the trip look much more
expensive than I hope it will be. I will make every effort to find low cost airline
tickets for the participants. I will be doing the same work…but, marketing at a
lower cost.
B) What deposits are required in advance? Deposits of $130pp due four months
before start date. Final balance would be due six weeks before tour start date.
Cancellation after that means no money back. 100% returned up to six weeks
prior to trip minus bank charges for sending money.
__________________________________________
C) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? April 23, 2004
_________________________
D) What are your plans if you do not get the required number of people?
I fully expect to get enough people and to have a waitlist. If I have at least nine
people sign up, I will run the trip.
V. PRIVATE TRIPS
Are you currently (up to and including the time frame of this proposed trip) leading trips
that are “private,” i.e. not sponsored by the AMC? Yes
VI. AMC OUTDOORS INFORMATION
Detailed instructions on trip listings available at <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/>.
E) Request month for trip to first appear in AMC Outdoors ___September 2003
Date to be pulled June 2004
F) Please provide an electronic copy of both the long (150 words maximum) and short
form (50 word maximum) announcements. Note that the word count stops at the
phrase “For info.” D
*** Caribbean trips use only short form
VII. TRIP PROPOSAL AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Trips cannot come before the Major Excursions Committee for approval unless the forms
are completely filled out and received three weeks prior to MEC meetings for review.
Please make sure you have filled out all appropriate sections of this form completely and
included any necessary attachments.



First aid certifications
Leader Qualification information
AMC Medical form for both leaders


Detailed cost information
AMC Outdoors listings
By turning in this proposal, you are agreeing to the following:
I have read the Major Excursions Leader Handbook and I agree to follow all
policies and prodecures of the Major Excursions Committee and the Appalachian
Mountain Club in preparing for and conducting my major excursion.
Thank you for completing this form!
 Copies of first aid certifications and medical forms should be submitted in hard copy
only. These can be faxed (marked attn: Katherine Byers) to 617-523-0722 or mailed
to the Major Excursions, 5 Joy St. address below.
 Email submissions of this trip proposal form are preferred.
Email should be sent to both of the following two addresses:
T. Walley Williams, Major Excursions Committee Chair at <vze2g9bb@verizon.net>
Katherine Byers, AMC Outdoor Leadership Coordinator at <kbyers@amcinfo.org>
Or, if you unable to send electronically, please mail a hard copy to the following two
addresses:
T. Walley Williams, III
Chair, AMC Major Excursions Committee
71 Orchard St.
Belmont, MA 02478-3509
Major Excursions
Appalachian Mountain Club
5 Joy St.
Boston, MA 02108
Questions? Call T. Walley Williams at the above email or 617-484-1877.
He can put you in touch with an experienced MEC mentor who can help you with trip planning..