Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
APPLICATION TO LEAD AN AMC MAJOR EXCURSION
(Use the F1 key to summon help for most fields)
(Forms and General Information: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ )
1. SUMMARY INFORMATION
A) Trip Title:
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
B)
C)
D)
E)
Ralph Blumenthal
Cliff Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
Total # of days:
Camping with day trips for snorkeling and hiking
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 18
15
Maximum: 34
G) Advertised Cost: $1,150 plus estimated airfare of $480-600.
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
Two weeks of camping in either tents or cottages at Cinnamon Bay Campground in the Virgin
Islands National Park on St. John. Daily trips to explore the island will include swimming,
snorkeling, hiking, and learning about the history, flora, and fauna. An optional day trip to the
British Virgin Islands is also planned.
B) Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands
<If YES, explain what is needed, and how & when they will be acquired>
No
C) Equipment: Does the trip require special/technical equipment?
No
<If YES explain what equipment is needed and will any of it be provided by the trip>
D) Educational Aspect:
A significant activity will be snorkeling and observing and learning about the many kinds of
fish, coral, and other creatures that inhabit the reefs. Local Ranger walks, talks and slide
shows will be included.
E) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
No
Name: <If YES provide outfitter's name>
Safety record: <Provide information about their safety record>
Liability insurance: <Provide information about the oufitter's liability insurance>
Emergency response: <Describe the outfitters SOP in case of emergencies>
3. LEADER INFORMATION
Form Revised 08/25/03; Completed 4/8/04
Pg. 1 of 5
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
Ralph B. Blumenthal
41 Stoney Brook Road
Holmdel, NJ 07733-1122
(home) 732-264-8482
(work) Same
(e-mail) rblumenthal@comcast.net
Co-Leader:
Clifford N. Gerenz
57 Taggart Way
Saddle Brook, NJ 07662
(home) 201-791-0293
(work) <work telephone>
(e-mail) cgerenz@msn.com
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.
Leader:
CPR: 11/04
WFA: 11/04
Co-Leader:
CPR: 3/04
WFA: 2/05
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
We plan to take the necessary courses prior to the trip.
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”.
The application for RBB was submitted last year. A copy can be provided.
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.
1. <Trip description>
2. <Trip description>
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
Yes
I have been to St. John 7 times including 5 times with the AMC. In February 2003 I was the
back-up leader for the Rays.
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required? Yes
I have extensive swimming and snorkeling experience and have previously completed Boy
Scout/Red Cross lifesaving training. I am very familiar with St. John.
Form Revised 08/25/03; Completed 4/8/04
Pg. 2 of 5
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
<If "Yes" please detail plans if one party cannot go>
No
4. RISK ASSESSMENT
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.
A) Climate/Terrain
Potential Hazards: Heat stroke, sunburn, drowning
Response:
Caution participants regularly to use sun screen and to bring water on all
day trips. Observe all participants and use a buddy safe swim procedure.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: Not Applicable
Response:
<Prevention or response to identified risks>
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: Driving accidents
Response:
Volunteer drivers will be screened and given safety instructions. Collision
insurance will be purchased.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Health since participants may be elderly
Response:
Carefully screen medical records and regularly observe all participants.
E) Other
Potential Hazards: None currently known
Response:
<Prevention or response to identified risks>
5. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Please use as much detail as
possible and attach additional sheets if necessary.
A) Emergency Communication
We will carry all emergency contact information with us. We will never be more than onehalf hour from a paved road.
B) Evacuation
Park Services and/or emergency services will be notified in the event of any emergency.
C) Medical Care
St. John has a 24-hour Health Center that has provided excellent care in the past. A full
service hospital is in St. Thomas.
Form Revised 08/25/03; Completed 4/8/04
Pg. 3 of 5
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
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.
6. COST INFORMATION
A) What deposits are will be required from airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc. (and when):
$1,000 has been sent to the Cinnamon Bay Campground. Rental vehicles have usually not
required a deposit. Airline tickets will be arranged as people sign up.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
January 9, 2005 for
Cinnamon Bay. Airline tickets will be purchased in participants name so that they will
become responsible.
C) What is the value of the deposit you will require of the participants?
$ 300
D) What will be your cancellation policy for the participants?
From the draft prospectus: “Cancellations should not raise the cost of the trip to others. If you
cancel, the cost of the air ticket if it has been issued will not be refunded. Economy air tickets
are generally non-refundable. Those canceling prior to December 1 will receive a refund of
the other amounts paid less a non-refundable deposit and processing fee of $100.
Cancellations after December 1 will result in a refund only to the extent that a suitable
replacement can be found. Such cancellations will be charged a non-refundable deposit and
processing fee of $100 plus any costs incurred in finding the replacement. If a replacement
can not be found the entire trip fee is forfeited. AMC recommends that you get trip
cancellation insurance and information about such insurance will be provided to you.”
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
Yes
If the participant count does not meet the minimum the leaders may opt to proceed with the
trip and to share in the costs consistent with AMC policy.
7. 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?
No
8. AMC OUTDOORS INFORMATION
Please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/info/Trip_Notice_Rules.html> for the current rules
and schedule for submitting notices for AMC Outdoors. E-mail both the long (150 words
maximum) and short form (50 word maximum) trip announcements to goeke@space.mit.edu ,
preferably in plain text format, at the same time you submit the trip application. Although the trip
notices travel a different route to the Committee, it helps to have the notices on the web site when
the trip is reviewed.
It your trip notice is somewhat preliminary at this time, that’s OK. You have plenty of
opportunity to change it before the publication deadline. If you don’t want to have the first (long)
notice appear at the normal time – see the above referenced rules – include your special request
in the body of the e-mail containing the trip notices.
Form Revised 08/25/03; Completed 4/8/04
Pg. 4 of 5
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz
February 9-23, 2005
After you trip is approved, please check your trip announcements as posted on the Major
Excursions web site: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ ; we cut-and-paste directly from this site
to AMC Outdoors !
9. 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. Note that the following
forms are also required to complete the application; see the Handbook section of the Major
Excursions web site for forms and instructions.

Leader Qualification information

Detailed cost information
 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 on the Major
Excursions web site or call Heidi Reilly at 617-523-0655 x356 to receive a hard copy by mail.
 Copies of first aid certifications and medical forms should be submitted in hard copy only.
These can be faxed (marked attn: Heidi Reilly) to 617-367-8878 or mailed to the Major
Excursions, 5 Joy St. address below.
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
procedures of the Major Excursions Committee and the Appalachian Mountain Club in
preparing for and conducting my major excursion.

Please save and forward your electronic document in the following format:
Leader’s Last Name, Trip destination-Trip Activity (if applicable), Trip Start date.
For example: Zukroff New Zealand Hiking 12.26.03.doc
Email should be sent to both of the following two addresses:
T. Walley Williams, Major Excursions Committee Chair at <vze2g9bb@verizon.net>
Heidi Reilly, AMC Travel Programs Coordinator at <hreilly@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.
Form Revised 08/25/03; Completed 4/8/04
Pg. 5 of 5
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion