2/09 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 21-March 2, 2009 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 30 Min 16 $ 1075 Does it include airfare? Yes No $ 400-600 Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2 leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes No If yes, why is a small group proposed? If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain why? Number of participants Advertised cost Airfare range if not included Smaller trips and leader subsidization 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 Co-leader name Co-leader address Co-leader email Co-leader phone 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 will renew before the trip CPR BLS Expiration: 12/08 will renew before the trip 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. 2/08, #0804,Snorkeling, Hiking And Unwinding At Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI 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 Clifford N. Gerenz 57 Taggart Way, Saddle Brook, NJ 07662 cgerenz@msn.com Home 201-791-0293 Work NA 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 4/03/08 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5 2/09 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding Ralph Blumenthal Wilderness first aid training* CPR training* WFA CPR 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. 2nd Co-leader name Co-leader address Co-leader email Co-leader phone Wilderness first aid training* CPR training* Note: Jenni Blumenthal 41 Stoney Brook Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 jblumenthal@comcast.net Home 732-264-8482 Work NA Prior leading experience AWFA WFR Expiration: 10/22/08; will renew before the trip BLS Expiration: 2/1/09; will renew before the trip WFA AWFA WFR Expiration: 11/08 will renew before the trip CPR BLS Expiration: 12/08 will renew before the trip Based on experience, a second co-leader is helpful to support scheduling both hiking and snorkeling activities as requested by participants. Costs of the second co-leader 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, Jenni and I led the same trip to St. John in February 2008. Jenni and I have been to St. John 12 times including 10 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 Revised 4/03/08 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 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5 2/09 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding Does the trip require special equipment? Special experience Does the trip require special 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 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? 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 Revised 4/03/08 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5 2/09 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding Participants Potential hazards Response Other Potential hazards Response Ralph Blumenthal be purchased. Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity Health, since participants may be elderly Carefully screen medical records and regularly observe all participants. 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 Emergency communication Phone contacts, language, documentation, be more than one-half hour from a paved road. 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 Evacuation Please describe your plan for evacuation from notified in the event of any emergency. the backcountry location if applicable? St. John has a 24-hour Health Center that has provided excellent care in Medical care Please describe the medical care available in the past. A full service hospital is in St. Thomas. 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 Revised 4/03/08 $1,000 will be sent to Cinnamon Bay Campground after the trip is approved by ME. Rental vehicles have not required a deposit. One car rental company may request a $100 refundable deposit. Airline tickets will be arranged as people sign up. January 20, 2009 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 2/09 Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI: Snorkeling, Hiking, Unwinding Ralph Blumenthal number? Revised 4/03/08 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5