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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:
CALIFORNIA DESERT AND MOUNTAIN HIKING
B)
C)
D)
E)
Merri Fox
Barbara Froebel
March 3-11, 2007
Day hikes
Leader:
Co-Leader(s):
Dates:
Type of Trip:
Total # of days:
F) Participants: (not counting leaders) Minimum: 12
Advertised Cost: $1700
9
Maximum: 14
2. TRIP DETAILS
A) Executive Summary: Brief outline of trip and trip activities.
This is a repeat of the long-running trip led by Ledge Clayton and Rob Funk to the Anza
Borrego desert. We plan to keep the same theme of moderately easy hikes including some stops
at hot springs and perhaps a mine tour in one of the surrounding historic towns.
B) Accommodations: Please describe your plans for accommodation(s).
Hotels (2 to a room). We will use hotels that have kitchenettes so we can prepare our own
breakfasts and lunches with food that leaders and participants will purchase (included in trip
costs). Or find a hotel that offers breakfasts and has in-room refrigerators so we can store lunch
foods. (NOTE: the hotel Ledge Clayton & Ron Funk normally use for this trip may not be
available; owner has increased prices and changed policy so won’t take advance reservations.
There are other options though in price range budgeted in the event we can’t sue the same place)
C) Meals: Please describe your plans for meals.
See above for breakfasts and lunches – dinners will be taken in local restaurants; there are
several good and reasonable choices.
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
<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?
Yes
Yes; lunch and intro at leader’s house in January
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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/>
Leaders will provide insights into desert ecology, flora and fauna on daily hikes. Include
visit to State Park visitor center for introduction to park; possibly take advantage of ranger
interpretive program.
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:
Merri Fox
115 North Road
Harwinton, CT 06791
(home) 860-485-1697
(work) 860-731-5892
(e-mail) merri.fox@pw.utc.com
Co-Leader:
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Barbara Froebel
2 Shawnee Court
Cromwell, CT
(home) 860-635-0328
(work) N/A
(e-mail) barbaravfroebel@yahoo.com
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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: 4/2007
WFA: 4/2007
Other:
Co-Leader:
CPR: 4/2006
WFA: 4/2006
Other:
If CPR and/or WFA certifications will expire before your trip starts, describe your plans
for re-certification:
Barbara will recert before 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”.
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.
2.
3.
4.
Wyoming 2005
Paris 2005
Utah 2004
Hawaii 2003
Others: <Trip description>
D) Scouting:
Have you or your co-leader led this trip before or traveled in the area?
No
Have been given extensive information, maps etc. from Ledge and of course will read
extensively about area ourselves
E) Special Experience:
Are any special skills or experience on the part of the participants required?
<If "Yes" please describe>
No
F) Couples:
Do the Leader and Co-leader have a significant personal relationship?
<If "Yes" please detail plans if one party cannot go>
No
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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: (1) little shade at time of year when people are not used to a lot of sun, or
heat; (2) rocky trails
Response:
(1) stress sunscreen and water, hats mandatory, and shorten hikes if it is
too hot; (3) boots mandatory
B) Foreign Countries
Potential Hazards: N/A
Response:
C) Transportation
Potential Hazards:
Response:
Leaders and probably Rance Fox will be only drivers; all have good
records. Full insurance coverage, and we will avoid driving overly long distances or late at night
to make sure we can stay alert.
D) Participants
Potential Hazards: Because hikes are advertised as fairly easy and this has proved to be a
popular destination, participants may not be strong or experienced hikers, which could put them
more at risk for climate/terrain.>
Response:
Screen carefully; clear requirements statement in prospectus
E) Other
Potential Hazards: <Conditions unique to this trip>
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
Will carry all participants' health and emergency contact information on every hike or
activity; will also carry cell phone but not rely upon it working. If necessary, send someone
out for help.
B) Evacuation
Treat any injury or condition as necessary and try to walk person out; send 2 people in
advance for help. Avoid being out on the trail close to dark.
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C) Medical Care
There is a walk-in medical clinic in Borrego Springs as well as a dental office; however for
any major medical condition there are full service hospitals in San Diego approx. 2 hours distant:
Sand River Medical Clinic
533 Palm Canyon Dr
Borrego Springs CA 92004
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):
Do not plan to book hotels/air until we have a minimum of 10 signed up. However, have
already got a commitment of a $129 rate from hotel in San Diego and no deposit required
until January 2007 and a “probably” rate of $105 from Borrego Springs hotel but no bookings
allowed until 9/2006. At that time I hope to negotiate a somewhat reduced rate based on a
pre-payment in late 2006.
B) What is the latest date for you to cancel and get a full refund? :
C) What is the value of the deposit you will require of the participants?
$ 800
D) What will be your cancellation policy for the participants?
<Cancellation must be in writing - Postmarked date: Prior to October 1 - $75 non-refundable fee
charged; If your airline ticket has been purchased, you own it subject to airline change fees). All
other moneys returned.
After October 1 a) same as above; and
b) Any moneys paid out to vendors and money necessary to keep the trip cost from
increasing - causing an increase for other trip members.
After February 4 - NO REFUNDS for any reason, including accident, illness, or any other
type of emergency except what can be refunded from unused trip funds after the completion of
the trip.
Note: Sometimes moneys may be returned prior to a trip, if a cancellee’s spot can be filled
from the waiting list. This depends upon two factors:
1. That the trip is filled - 14 participants (in addition to the leaders).
2. That there is a waiting list compiled by the leaders, through the application and screening
process only. No one may substitute another person for themselves.
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E) Will trip run if minimum participant count not met?
<If we have a minimum of 10, yes>
Yes
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.
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
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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:
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.
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