2/08 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
Ralph Blumenthal
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
Leader Ralph Blumenthal
Co-leader Cliff Gerenz, Jenni Blumenthal
St. John, US Virgin Islands
February 08-17, 2008
Total # of days 10
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Max 14
$ 995
$ 400-600
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Min 30
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Ralph B. Blumenthal
41 Stoney Brook Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733-1122
rblumenthal@comcast.net
Home 732-264-8482
Work NA
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 11/08
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 12/08
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, 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.
2/07, #0706,Snorkeling, Hiking And Unwinding At Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI
3/06, #0611, Cinnamon Bay St. John; Pam Madigan, Leader, RBB, Co-Leader
2/06, #0608, Cinnamon Bay St. John
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader
phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Clifford N. Gerenz
57 Taggart Way, Saddle Brook, NJ 07662
cgerenz@msn.com
Home 201-791-0293
Work NA
Prior leading experience
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
WFA
CPR
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 10/22/08
BLS
Expiration: 2/1/08; will renew before the trip

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
Revised 3/26/07
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5
2/08 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
2nd Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader
phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Note:
Prior leading experience
Ralph Blumenthal
Jenni Blumenthal
41 Stoney Brook Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
jblumenthal@comcast.net
Home 732-264-8482
Work NA
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 11/08
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 12/08
Based on past experience, a second co-leader is proposed to support scheduling both
hiking and snorkeling activities as requested by participants. Costs of the second coleader will only be covered if there are sufficient participants consistent with AMC
policies.
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Scouting
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Cliff and I led the same trip to St. John in February 2005, 2006, and 2007. Jenni and I
have been to St. John 11 times including 9 times with the AMC
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Jenni and Ralph are married. Cliff is an experienced leader and can lead the trip if
necessary.
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private
trips together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
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.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S. federal
lands and national parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
Revised 3/26/07
Platform tents or cottages as provided by the Cinnamon Bay Campground.
Two group meals are included in the trip budget. 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.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also
describe how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
2/08 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
Ralph Blumenthal
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.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
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, local festivals and events, talks and slide
shows will be included. These provide education about the history and culture of St.
John.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
Liability? Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
Maximum amt: $
Yes
No
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Heat stroke, sunburn, drowning, bug bites
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. Warn participants to bring and use insect
repellent especially at dusk if they are sensitive to bug bites.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Not Applicable
Response
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Driving accidents
Response
Volunteer drivers will be screened and given safety instructions. Collision insurance will
be purchased.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Health, since participants may be elderly
Response
Carefully screen medical records and regularly observe all participants.
Revised 3/26/07
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
2/08 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Ralph Blumenthal
Conditions unique to this type of trip
None currently known
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
We will carry all emergency contact information with us. We will never be
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
more than one-half hour from a paved road.
documentation, distance from emergency
services
We routinely carry a first aid kit.
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first aid or
communication equipment (satellite
phone, two-way radios) do you plan to
use, if any?
Park Services and/or local emergency services and On-Call will be notified in
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for evacuation
the event of any emergency.
from the backcountry location if
applicable?
St. John has a 24-hour Health Center that has provided excellent care in the
Medical care
Please describe the medical care
past. A full service hospital is in St. Thomas.
available in the area(s) where you will be
traveling and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Revised 3/26/07
$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.
January 8, 2008 for Cinnamon Bay. Airline tickets will be purchased in participants
name so that they will become responsible.
$300 initial deposit. Balance of trip fee due by December 1. Participants will pay for
their flight tickets when the reservations are made.
From the 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 nonrefundable 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.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
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.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
2/08 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding
Revised 3/26/07
Ralph Blumenthal
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5