2/2010 Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI, Snorkeling Hiking and 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 5-14, 2010
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
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 14
$ 1,090, $1,140 after
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
Jan. 1, 2010
$ 400-600
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month (max is one year in
advance of trip)
July 2009
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
Trip three
Ralph B. Blumenthal
41 Stoney Brook Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733-1122
rblumenthal@comcast.net
Home 732-264-8482
Work NA
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 11/2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 1/31/11
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.
2/09; #0910, Snorkeling Hiking and Unwinding at Cinnamon Bay , St. John USVI, 24
participants
5/08; #0814, Hiking in Spectacular Southwestern Utah, 16 participants;
2/08, #0804, Snorkeling, Hiking And Unwinding At Cinnamon Bay, St. John USVI,
25 participants
Other related trip experience

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 1 of 5
2/2010 Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI, Snorkeling Hiking and Unwinding
Ralph Blumenthal
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Clifford N. Gerenz
57 Taggart Way, Saddle Brook, NJ 07662
cgerenz@msn.com
Home 201-791-0293
Work NA
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: On file
CPR
BLS
Expiration: On file
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
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 11/2010
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 1/31/11
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.
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 2009. Jenni and I have been to
St. John some 13 times including 11 times with the AMC
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.
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.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
Revised 7/15/2016
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
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
2/2010 Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI, Snorkeling Hiking and Unwinding
Ralph Blumenthal
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
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
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
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
Response
Caution participants regularly to use sun screen, emphasize and reemphasize 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.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
2/2010 Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI, Snorkeling Hiking and Unwinding
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Ralph Blumenthal
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Not Applicable
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Driving accidents
Volunteer drivers will be screened and given safety instructions. Collision insurance will
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 be more than
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
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 the event
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
of any emergency.
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
St. John has a 24-hour Health Center that has provided excellent care in the past. A full
Medical care
Please describe the medical
service hospital is in St. Thomas.
care available in the area(s)
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
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Revised 7/15/2016
NA
$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.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
2/2010 Cinnamon Bay, St. John, USVI, Snorkeling Hiking and Unwinding
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
Ralph Blumenthal
January 5, 2010 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.
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 5 of 5