Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
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, St. John USVI
B)
C)
D)
E)
Ralph Blumenthal
Cliff Gerenz, Jenni Blumenthal (In-training)
February 09-18, 2006, optional extension to Feb. 23Total # of days:10/15
Camping with day trips for snorkeling and hiking
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 12
Maximum: 30
Advertised Cost: $920 plus estimated airfare of $480-650. $160 extra for a cottage. For the
5-day extension add $450 plus $90 for a cottage.
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
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.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
Platform tents or cottages as provided by the Cinnamon Bay Campground.
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
Two group meals are included in the trip budget as is a third group meal for those
participating in the extension. Participants are on their own for all other meals. The T’ree
Lizard Restaurant and a small camp store are at the Campground. There will be opportunities
for shopping in markets in Cruz Bay and evening trips to the many excellent restaurants.
Typically participants prepare their own breakfast and a trail lunch in camp.
D) 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
E) 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>
F) Pre-trip activities: Do you plan to get your group together before the major excursion for
an activity or social event?
No
<If YES, explain the type of activities and when they will occur
Revised 06/29/05
Pg. 1 of 6
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
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/>
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 interpretive Ranger walks,
campground presentations, talks and slide shows will be included.
H) 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
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) Same
(e-mail) cgerenz@msn.com
Co-Leader-in training: Jennifer G. Blumenthal
Same as Leader
Revised 06/29/05
Pg. 2 of 6
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
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: 1/07, Will renew
WFA: 11/06, Will renew
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
Co-Leader (Gerenz):
CPR: 9/06, Will renew
WFA: 2/07, Will renew
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
Co-Leader (Jenni Blumenthal): CPR and WFA planned for fall 2006
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
We will take the needed courses this fall
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. 3/06, #0611, Cinnamon Bay St. John; Pam Madigan, Leader, Ralph Blumenthal, Co-Leader
2. 2/06, #0608, Cinnamon Bay St. John; Ralph Blumenthal, Leader, Cliff Gerenz, Co-Leader
3. 2/05, #0507, Cinnamon Bay St. John; Ralph Blumenthal, Leader, Cliff Gerenz, Co-Leader
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
Yes
Cliff and I led the same trip to St. John in February 2005 and 2006. I have been to St. John 10
times including 8 times with the AMC.
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required? Yes
Swimming skills are important as most participants will spend much of the time in the water.
Snorkeling experience is helpful, but this skill is easily learned by experienced swimmers.
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
Yes
<If "Yes" please detail plans if one party cannot go>
Jenni, co-leader-in-training, is Ralph’s wife. Cliff is an experienced leader and can lead the
trip if necessary.
Revised 06/29/05
Pg. 3 of 6
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
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, emphasize adequate
hydration and bring water on all day trips. Observe all participants and use a buddy safe swim
procedure. Use extra precautions if the water is rough.
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 local emergency services and On-Call 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.
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.
Revised 06/29/05
Pg. 4 of 6
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
6. COST INFORMATION
A) What deposits are will be required from airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc. (and when):
$1,000 will be sent to Cinnamon Bay Campground after the trip is approved by ME. Rental
vehicles have 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, 2007 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/Yes.
For Ralph and Jenni: No; Cliff is leading a private trip to Slovenia in May 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 !
Revised 06/29/05
Pg. 5 of 6
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06
Snorkeling, Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay
Blumenthal/Gerenz/Blumenthal
February 09-18/23, 2007
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:
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 06/29/05
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Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 04/12/06