Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form
Last Revision July 2008
The following pages contain the application to lead an AMC Major Excursion. Please complete the form with as
much detail as possible, and attach additional sheets if necessary. Also include a detailed budget/costing sheet
that clearly shows all costs associated with your planned excursion. The trip proposal form and budget are due
two weeks prior to the MEC meeting in which it will be reviewed. Deadlines will be posted on the MEC leader
website (http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/) and sent to you on the MEC leader listserv well in advance of the
meeting. The MEC will not accept late proposals unless the chair is notified in advance with a compelling reason.
Incomplete applications will be returned to you and not reviewed until complete, so please make sure to fill in all
applicable sections.
The application was created in a Microsoft Word protected document. To fill in each section click on the check
box and/or on the grey text box and start typing. The boxes will automatically get larger as you fill in text. If you
find that you need a lot of space to explain a section, please say “see additional attachment” and attach a separate
page.
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 the AMC Outdoors and www.outdoors.org. Please see the current rules http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings/ and schedule for submitting notices for the AMC Outdoors.
Trip prospectus – without the application forms attached – in Microsoft Word or PDF format
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street, the following documents:



A completed confidential medical form for the leader and co-leader (after approval is given)
Copies of first aid and CPR certifications for leader and co-leader (before or after approval is given)
A completed application to be a co-leader if the co-leader is new (before proposal is submitted)
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and forward your
electronic document with the following naming convention:


Leader’s last name, trip destination, year of trip and what type of document it is (application, budget,
Outdoors listing or prospectus)
For example, Smith-New Zealand-2007-Application.doc or Smith-New Zealand-2007-Budget.xls
Applications should be sent electronically to the MEC Chair, Stacia Zukroff, at mecchair@amcboston.org and to
cyout@outdoors.org. They can be mailed to: Travel Programs Coordinator, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108. If
you have any questions, please contact Stacia at: 781-648-5503 or mecchair@amcboston.org.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Leader Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel Co-leader Heather & Steve DePaola
Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
July 25 - August 2, 2009
Total # of days 9
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 20
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in The Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Min 16
$ 1565 per adult DO, Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$450 single
supplement, $975 per
child 5yr -15yr, &
$415 per child under
5yo.
$ 750-850
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month (max is one year in
advance of trip)
Nov 2008
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?
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
Stacia Zukroff and Wyatt Biel
28 Lakehill Ave., Arlington, MA 02474
szukroff@yahoo.com, wyattbiel@gmail.com
Home 781-648-5503
Work 617-835-6532
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: June 2009 for SZ, Aug 2010 for WB
CPR
BLS
Expiration: June 2009 for SZ, WB is NP and has CPR all the time
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.
Northern California, July 2008, 13 participants
Hawaii backpacking, December 2007, 12 participants

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 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Canadian Rockies day hiking, July 2007, 13 participants
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Heather and Steve DePaola
77 Main St., Dover, MA 02030
heather@unpackingsolutions.com; sdepaola@arcweb.com
Home 508-785-1977
Work (H) 508-479-1467; (S) 781-471-1120
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 06/2007, re-certifying early 2009
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 2006, re-certifying in Oct 2008
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:
Stacia has led AMC trips to the area on 9 prior occasions, and Wyatt co-lead their last
year
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!
Since we have 4 leaders/co-leaders on this trip it is possible to lose one or two leaders
and still manage the trip. The leaders are a couple and the co-leaders are a couple. Thus
each leader is backed up by a co-leader who is not a spouse, and if either couple were
forced to leave, two leaders would still remain.
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.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
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
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Revised 7/15/2016
This day hiking trip will be geared towards families. Each day there will be two hike
options - one will be 3-5 miles in length, easy to moderate and geared towards children.
The other hike will be longer, 6-10 miles, geared towards adults. Longer hikes will be
more strenuous but pace will be moderate. The longer hikes will be opportunities for one
of the parents/family members to enjoy a more strenuous hike without their children in
tow. There will be one rest day where we drive up the Icefields Parkway, stopping along
the way to visit several scenic areas - Peyto Lake, Athabasca Glacier, Columbia
Icefields.
We will stay in the HI-Banff Alpine Center and the HI-Lake Louise Alpine Center
All breakfasts and dinners are included. Lunch supplies will be purchased locally and
participants will pay for their own items - each hostel has a full kitchen where lunches
can be prepared.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
Permits are purchased at the gate upon entrance to the park. We pay per vehicle at the
group rate.
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Special equipment
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
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
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?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
A couple dayhikes locally. Age make-up of group will determine type of activity and
location.
Participants will experience family-oriented recreation and cultural activities. A
naturalist might be hired to provide some educational content with a focus on the
wildflowers in season and conservation of this pristine landscape. Cost will determine
viability of this option. Some interpretive trails will be explored as well.
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
The climate/terrain hazards are all those listed in italics above for dayhikes on mapped
trails.
Response
Easier hikes for families with or carrying children will have less hazardous terrain and be
less remote, thus reducing risk. Screening to match participants to expected trail
requirements. Pre-trip activity. 4 leaders. Rescue resources closeby
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
None Expected
Response
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Airline delays, loss of driver, auto accident
Response
Initial location is close enough to airport to go back and get anyone delayed in arriving--
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
even if this is the next day. We will make arrangements for back-up drivers in the event
a leader or co-leader have to leave or are unable to drive. We have emergency training
and will be close to emergency services throughout the trip. We will purchase rental car
insurance and all drivers are insured.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
The participant hazards are all those listed in italics above for adults and children
Screening, pre-trip activity to set proper expectations and verify suitability of
participants
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Family dynamics, interaction of children, unpredicabilty of children
Screening and pre-trip activity. Participants will be advised that parents are responsible
for their children's behavior and must be able to control them. Everyone will also be
informed that this is a family trip and all participants must be flexible and
accommodating of family and/or child related issues as they arise. This could include
but is not limited to the foreseeable tardiness, travel delays, food concerns, illness, injury
and any other way in which one or more participant's issues may impact group activities.
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
Leaders and co-leaders will have cell phones and walkie-talkies. Emergency Services
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
closeby. We will have contact info for local emergency services with each leader and
documentation, distance from
co-leader.
emergency services
Each leader and co-leader will have first aid gear, and communication equipment as
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
listed above.
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
National Parks Canada have very good services and none of the hikes will be too far
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
away from ranger stations. The longest hikes will involve passing by backcountry huts
evacuation from the
with radios. If necessary, leaders will evacuate the participant(s) or seek help from the
backcountry location if
nearest ranger station. Helicopters are used in Banff, Yoho and Jasper for very serious
applicable?
injuries.
There are is a clinic and hospital in Banff and Canmore as well as a clinic in Lake
Medical care
Please describe the medical
Louise. Several rangers on staff are backcountry EMTS, and all 4 leaders are AWFA
care available in the area(s)
certified. Wyatt Biel is a nurse practioner.
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign
currency, the current $US
dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that
rate changes. If a tour
operator or agent is being
used, what currency is the
agent to be paid in?
Deposits
Revised 7/15/2016
Canadian Dollars. Exchanging at USD$1.00=CAD$1.06 (CAD$1=USD$0.94) on
October 1st 2008. As a contingency, we'll assume the value of the dollar could
deteriorate and we'll use parity for a conversion estimate (USD$1.00=CAD$1.00). If
exchange rates for the USD deteriorate beyond parity by the time of the final payment
due date, an adjustment can be made. Participants will be made aware of the potential
for a small uptick (or rebate) based in-part on the exchange rate.
Airfare is paid by participant directly, no deposit required for transportation, and Hostel
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Family Hikes in the Canadian Rockies
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?
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised 7/15/2016
Stacia Zukroff & Wyatt Biel/Heather & Steve DePaola
held with credit card and paid in full 14-day out.
see Cancellation Policy below
An initial deposit of $300 per person is due with application. Final payment is due 60
days prior to departure, which is Tuesday May 26, 2009
Our cancellation policy is based on the precept that your cancellation shall not raise the
cost to any of the other participants or the leaders. Therefore, if you cancel, we will
refund any money you have paid, less any expenses already incurred, or future expenses
that will be incurred, that have been the result of your registration and that cannot be
avoided. Refunded money will also be less a $50 cancellation fee. However, if you
cancel and the trip still realizes full participation, then any and all fees you have paid will
be refunded to you, in full, minus the cancellation fee. If you cancel after your airline
tickets have been purchased, you still own the ticket and will be subject to the airline’s
cancellation policy.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Trip will go on as planned with less than minimum participation as long as leader cost
per person does not exceed 65% of average participant cost (which happens at roughly
10 participants--as planned, leader cost will be 28-43% of participant cost)
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
cyout@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 6