“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
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:
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
B) Leader:
Kathy Didier
C) Co-Leader(s):
No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted
with Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide
this trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
D) Dates:
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29, 2007
E)
F)
Total # of days:
13
G) Type of Trip:
Field Study Trip - Cultural, Historical, Archeological Studies, Extensive
Walking
H) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 14
Maximum: 20
Advertised Cost: $2695 (without air) Air estimated at under $700. Most likely $600.
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
Chiapas, Mexico. Educational field study program. Vist many archeological sites with an
educator. Learn about the economics and politics of Mexico in past and today. Much rugged
walking.
This Field Study Trip will be created and guided by Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac
Educational Community. (www.cemanahuac.com ).
Charles P. Goff
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 1 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
Charles Goff has been leading educational tours through Mexico, Central America, and South
America for over 25 years. He is well known for providing field study small villages and out-ofthe-way places in every country and state he visits. Cemanahuac provides seven trips a year for
Interhostel (sponsored by the University of New Hampshire) each year; in each, much of the
focus is on the people of the areas being visited, the small villages, and the customs and lives of
the people who inhabit them. On each field study trip, he presents information on the social,
political, economic, and historic aspects of the country and area being visited.
He grew up in Colombia and attended college in California, where he majored in
anthropology at the California State University at Northridge. He has also studied at the
Autonomous University in Mexico City, and he has also taken graduate courses taught by the
Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City and California State University at Sacramento. He is
bilingual and has been asked to do simultaneous translations for many visitors to Mexico.
He is a co-founder and director of the Cemanahuac Educational Community, the best and
most academically-oriented program of its kind in Mexico. At Cemanahuac, a Spanish language
school for those who want to study the language in a context of total immersion, he leads field
study trips for students of all ages each weekend. It is largely through his interests that a program
entitled "Mesoamerica in the Classroom" is taught each year at Cemanahuac. Currently over 50
school systems in the United States, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C.
encourage their teachers to study at Cemanahuac.
In March 2003 and March 2005, I led AMC Major Excursions to Cuernavaca where my group
studied at Cemanahuac Educational Community. Participants on my trips found Charlie to be an
engaging, interesting educator. Many are eager to return to Mexico if Charlie is our guide and
instructor.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
Hotels, double occupancy, single supplement is possible.
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
All breakfasts, lunches and nine dinners are included. Three dinners are not included.
Breakfasts and dinners at our hotels. Lunches may be picnic lunches or stops at small 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. 2 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
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/>
Through lecture, discussion, and on-site field study visits to places of historical or
anthropological interest, participants in a Cemanahuac educational program will gain insights into
the people and the culture of each area visited that are not possible with most other types of
educational travel.
We will travel by boat down a river gorge, visit famous archeological sites, learn of the
present day and past cultures of the indigenous people of the State of Chiapas, Mexico. Learn
about the politics of the area and how it affects the preservation of the natural resources. Our
physical activity will be walking. For those that love to learn, the entire experience will be
recreational.
H) Outfitters: Will this trip require an outfitter?
Yes
Name: Cemanahuac Educational Community
Safety record: To date they have not had any problems.
Liability insurance: They do not provide liability insurance in Mexico.
Emergency response: Guides and bus driver will have cell phones. There are medical
clinics/hospitals in the areas we plan to visit.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 3 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
3. LEADER INFORMATION
A) Contact Information:
Leader:
Kathy Didier
PO Box C
Woodstock, NH 03293
(home) 603-726-3553
(work) 603-726-3553
(e-mail) kdidier@coopresources.net
Co-Leader:
<Name>
<Street Address>
<City, State, Zip>
(home) <home telephone>
(e-mail) <e-mail address>
(work) <work telephone>
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: April, 2006
WFA: April 2006
Other:
Co-Leader:
CPR: <Expiration Date>
WFA: <Expiration Date>
Other: <Describe course; expiration date>
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
I plan to recertify with SOLO and CPR in April, 2006. This certification will be good
until April, 2008.
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.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 4 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
1. Cinque Terre, Italy - April, 2005
2. Cuernavaca, Mexico - March, 2005
3. Cote d' Azur, France - September, 2004
Others: I have been leading at least two Major Excursions per year for many years.
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
<If "Yes" please describe>
No
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required?
Must be physically fit as there will be much walking over rugged terrain.
Yes
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: Irregular ground - could sprain ankle
Earthquake - Always a risk when you travel from California south
Response:
Recommend hiking boots and a hiking pole.
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: I have traveled to Mexico at least once a year for the past ten years. Never
had any problems. Need to be street smart.
Response:
Will advise participants about how to prepare for a third world country.
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards: We travel in a 37-passenger Mercedes Benz motor coach driven by Marco
Antonio Garcia, employed by Cemanahuac as their full time bus driver. I have traveled before
with Marco Antonio. He is a good driver and I have confidence in him. Other drivers on the road
are always a concern. But, no more in Mexico than in the US.
Air travel to Villahermosa, Mexico. We are traveling in March when there could be
snowstorms at home in the Northeast. As a precaution, we are spending the first three nights in
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 5 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
Villahermosa. This gives participants three days to meet up with the group in case they are
delayed by weather at home or missed/delayed flights. I will go out a day early to be sure that I
am there when group arrives.
Response:
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Participants could become ill if they drink the water or eat raw unpeeled
fruits and vegetables. A participant who is not physically fit could have problems keeping up
with the group.
Response:
Screen participants prior to trip. Educate them about what they can and
cannot eat and drink.
E) Other
Potential Hazards: Cannot think of any.
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
Prior to trip, participants will be given a list of hotels with telephone numbers. Cell phone
numbers of our guides will be given. Where cell phones work, they will be used. We are
going to be in public places at all times. We are not going into the backcountry.
B) Evacuation
We are never far from our bus.
C) Medical Care
The towns where we are staying have good medical facilities. Of course, they cannot match
the care that we get in the USA. Our outfitters have run trips to this locale for Interhostel and
many university groups. They get many elderly people on their trips (less strenuous than ours)
who have had medical emergencies. These emergencies have been handled with ease. Our
guides know who to contact since they run frequent trips to these towns.
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
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 6 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
A) What deposits are will be required from airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc. (and when):
Participants are responsible for their own airline reservations. I will assist them. Cemanhuac
asks for deposit of $1000 per person four months ahead of time and the full amount one
month prior to trip with a check sent to their bank in the USA. If I bring 15 paid participants,
my trip is free.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
trip.
three months prior to
C) What is the value of the deposit you will require of the participants?
$ 700
D) What will be your cancellation policy for the participants?
If participant cancels after being accepted on the trip, $100 of deposit is non-refundable.
If participant cancels after October 1, 2006, we will hold funds to cover non-recoverable
costs. However, we will establish a waiting list, and if participant can be replaced, he/she
may receive most of his/her deposit back.
E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
<If "Yes" describe conditions>
No
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?
Yes
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.
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 7 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
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@amcinfo.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:
Revised 02/13/05
Pg. 8 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16
“Indigenous Cultures of Mexico, Yesterday and Today”
A) Kathy Didier/No Co-Leader. I am requesting a One Leader Trip as I am well acquainted with
Charles Goff of the Cemanahuac Educational Community who will coordinate and guide this
trip. You can verify with Jan Taylor of the ME Committee that Charles Goff and the
Cemanahuac EC are well qualified.
Saturday, March 17 -- Thursday, March 29,
2007
B)
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. 9 of 9
Application to Lead an AMC Major Excursion
Application Submitted 07/15/16