Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
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:
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
B)
C)
D)
E)
Pam Madigan
Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
Hiking and Snorkeling
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
Total # of days:
10
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 20
Maximum: 30
Advertised Cost: Platform Tents $880 or Cottages $1040 (per person double occupancy
without air). Optional group air from Boston or JFK $450-800 (based on availability)
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
Daily hikes and/or snorkel trips are planned daily through the National Park waters and
grounds. An optional day trip to the British Virgin Islands will be offered.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
Platforms tents come equipped with cots, cot mattresses, linens, pots, dishware, utensils,
propane lantern and stove. Cottages have electricity, fan, beds, linens, pots, dishware, utensils and
stove.
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
Included is dinner at Shipwreck Landing Restaurant, Caneel Luncheon Buffet, and the Get
Acquainted Group Dinner at Group Camp site. Participants are on their own for all other meals.
There will be opportunities for shopping in markets in Cruz Bay and evening trips to the many
excellent restaurants.
D) Permits: Does the trip require special permits (required on all U.S. federal lands
No
E) Equipment: Does the trip require special/technical equipment?
No
F) Pre-trip activities: Do you plan to get your group together before the major excursion for
an activity or social event?
No
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 1 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
G) Conservation/Education/Recreation:: Given that the AMC Mission Statement is as follows
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest conservation and recreation
organization. We promote the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and trails
of the Appalachian region. We believe that the mountains and rivers have an intrinsic worth and also
provide recreational opportunity, spiritual renewal, and ecological and economic health for the
region. We encourage people to enjoy and appreciate the natural world because we believe that
successful conservation depends on this experience. We fulfill our mission through the three
interconnecting pillars of the AMC: conservation, education, and recreation
How will this major excursion meet this mission of conservation, education, and recreation?
For examples, please see <http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/mission/>
There will be several planned day hikes through the National Park. Two of the outings are to
be led by Park Rangers: the Reef Bay Trail and Lenster Bay Water's Edge Walk. There will also
be evening slide presentations by Park Rangers on the flora and fauna. A visit is planned to the
historic Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins. Participants will have the opportunity to snorkel and view a
wide variety of fish and coral.
H) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
No
Name:
Safety record:
Liability insurance:
Emergency response:
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 2 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
3. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
Pam Madigan
12 School Street
Medfield, MA 02052
(home) 508-359-6789
(work) 617-680-3393
(e-mail) PMadigan@att.net
Co-Leader:
Ralph Blumenthal
41 Stoney Brook Rd.
Holmdel, NJ 07733
(home) 732-264-8482
(work)
(e-mail) rblumenthal@comcast.net
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: 11/2005
WFA: 10/5/2005
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
Co-Leader:
CPR: 1/31/2007
WFA: 11/06
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
<Plan to attend WFA recertification 6/11-12 at Hale Reservation (Pam Madigan). Plan to
attend CPR locally this summer.
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”.
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. AMC St. John trip 2005
2. AMC St. John trip 2004
3. AMC St. John trip 2003
Others: Over 25 years of experience participating and leading trips to St. John.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 3 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
We have both led trips to Cinnamon Bay Campground
Yes
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required?
No
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
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: Potential Surf. Potential for participants to stumble on moderate trail
terrain.
Response:
Leaders inform participants to use the swimming buddy system and to
check with leaders regarding surf conditions. Leaders carry first aid on trails and cell phone for
emergency usage.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards:
Response:
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: Vehicle damage. Volunteer drivers are given a briefing on road safely
measures.
Response:
see above.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Many seniors on the trip
Response:
Careful screening in the interview process.
E) Other
Potential Hazards:
Response:
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.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 4 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
A) Emergency Communication
Leaders are no more than 2 miles from land line phone at any time. Leaders carry walkie
talkies and cell. Copies of trip participants and emergency contact information are distributed
to Heidi Reilly at AMC prior to departure. Emergencies will be documented and reported
immediately to Heidi Reilly and Stacia Zukroff.
B) Evacuation
If necessary, the police and National Park can arrange water taxi to the main hospital on St.
Thomas. On-Call will be notified in the event of any emergency.
C) Medical Care
The Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center (340-693-8900) is located on Centerline
road on St. John. St. Thomas has a full service hospital available by water taxi.
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):
Cinnamon Bay requires $2000 to hold the group reservation. American requires $2000 to
hold the group tickets. Participants that elect to buy our group air through American Airlines
are required to pay the airfare in full by December 1, 2005 (or at their time of application if
applying after 12/1/2005). American will allow participant to reissue the ticket (with a $100
processing fee) for alternative use within 1 year.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
With air 12/15/2005
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?
Cancellations prior to December 15th will be entitled to a refund on money deposited with the
AMC less a minimum administration charge of $100.00 plus the cost of air ticket if already
issued. Cancellations from December 15th to 30 days before departure will be subject to a
$200 charge and within 30 days a $500 charge, plus any penalty assessed by the airline for
canceling an issued ticket. Most domestic airlines no longer give refunds for cancellations;
instead, they issue coupons for a future trip with an administration charge of $100 and an
expiration date. Trip cancellation insurance is advised and policy purchasing information is
provided to participants. No refund can be granted after the trip has begun.
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
Yes
Leader and Co-leader have both agreed to pay for their own trip costs if necessary.
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
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 5 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
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.
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 application is
completed and received two weeks prior to MEC meetings for review. The ME Leader’s web site
has the Handbook and all required forms: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/handbook/ . As a
minimum we need:
 This application form
 A detailed trip budget/costing form
In addition the following are helpful during the review process, but need only be submitted after
your proposal is accepted:
 50 and 150 word notices for AMC Outdoors
 Trip prospectus – without application forms
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street (again, after proposal acceptance)
 A filled out Confidential Medical Form for leader and co-leader
 Copies of first aid certifications for leader and co-leader
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and
forward your electronic documents with the following naming convention:
Leader’s Last Name, Trip destination, Trip Activity (if applicable), Trip Start date.
For example: Zukroff-New-Zealand-Hiking-12-03-Application.doc
Email should be sent to both of the following two addresses:
Stacia Zukroff, Major Excursions Committee Chair at mecchair@amcboston.org
Heidi Reilly, AMC Travel Programs Coordinator at hreilly@outdoors.org
Or, if you unable to send electronically, please mail a single hard copy to:
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 6 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
Hiking And Camping At St. John USVI National Park
Pam Madigan/Ralph Blumenthal
3/10 through 3/19/2006
Heidi Reilly, Appalachian Mountain Club
Five Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108
617-523-0655, x356 (voice) 617-367-8878 (FAX)
10. CONCLUSION
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.
Questions? Contact Stacia Zukroff at mecchair@amcboston.org or 781-648-5503. She can put
you in touch with an experienced MEC mentor who can help you with trip planning.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 7 of 7
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16