History of the Delaware Valley Council of American
Youth Hostels, Inc.
HomeHistory of the Delaware Valley Council of American
Youth Hostels, Inc.
HomeOn March 24, 1944 two hundred enthusiastic hostellers joined together at a meeting of the Horse-Shoe Trail Club to found the Philadelphia Area council of the American Youth Hostels. The first issue of the Youth Hostel News followed soon after in May promoting the fun of hostelling, biking and hiking in Pennsylvania. The official charter of the Philadelphia District Council was presented on behalf of the AYH National Headquarters to the first president, David Elkinton, on May 26th of that year at the second Youth Hostel Rally. After two years of sharing workspace with the firm of Edelstein and Bernstein, the Pennsylvania Council of AYH moved to its first office in the YWCA Annex on 18th Street in early 1947 . The first field worker to staff the office was Virginia Towle, a graduate of the AYH Training Course and a co-founder of the South Amherst, Massachusetts Local Council and Hostel.
The newsletter, renamed Hostelling Along, grew in size and membership, advertising both local and national trips, activities, and hostelling lore with the motto of: "To help all, especially young people, to a greater knowledge, understanding , and love of the world: to enable them through hostelling to enjoy the cultural benefits of travel, and live happier and healthier lives." With the coming of the age of television, the Philadelphia Council and WHYY Channel 35 produced a 30 minute t.v. show on hostelling, which aired in 1958 and further served to promote American Youth Hostels . Two years later in 1961, the Philadelphia Council was officially incorporated. One of the greatest high points in the Council's history came in 1965, with the dedication of the Chamounix Mansion AYH Hostel, the first municipally owned Youth Hostel. The hostel today continues to be a haven in beautiful West Fairmount Park for travelers to the "City of Brotherly Love".
By 1971, the name of the organization had changed to the Delaware Valley Council of the American Youth Hostels, Inc., while the spirit of hostelling remained as strong as it had been over twenty-five years earlier at the Council's inception. Now the Delaware Valley Council is looking ahead to the future for continued growth and success in its mission to promote travel, education and friendship throughout the world.
Through the impetus of volunteers, activities clubs and our membership we arose to the task of saving the nation's longest continuously operating hostel. By 1995 we were able to purchase it, known as the Bowmansville Youth Hostel from our parent National organization.
Also 1995 saw our assuming direct management of four Pennsylvania Hostels located in or near state parks to prevent their closure. We offer these to our members but especially youth. We have implemented an outings program that brings city children to the state park hostels for nature studies and learning about themselves and their surroundings.
We continue to offer our members a discount travel center for domestic and out-bound hostellers off to Europe and beyond.
Since
2001, the overall cost of hostel operations has tripled, Pennsylvania's Labor
and Industry standards for buildings open to the public and National Hostel
Quality standards have changed significantly. Maintaining
our Youth Hostel programs during this decade has not been easy.
Since September 11th, 2001, we have experienced massive price
increases, including a 500% increase in insurance costs and a 400% increase in
heating fuel prices.
To meet the new Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry standards,
our historic properties need capital improvements for their continuation and
preservation.
During
this tough economic climate, many organizations are closing their doors.
We have had to make fiscally responsible yet painful expense reductions
over the past eight years, including closing three Youth Hostels.
Despite these challenges, we have managed to keep Iron Master’s Mansion
youth hostel operational and
explore the possibilities for new feasible youth hostel projects.
Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1934 to promote international understanding by educational travel through an operating network of 6,000 hostels in 82 countries.
The mission of American Youth Hostels (AYH) is "To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people, through hostelling." Promoting Peace through cultural and environmental educational exchange!
AYH is comprised of 36 local councils, each responsible for its own development, maintenance, operation and fund raising. The 27 member National Board of Directors, elected by representatives of the local councils, includes leaders from business, government, educational and non-profit organizations.
Every year, AYH , in cooperation with the other associations belonging to the International Youth Hostel Federation (Hostelling International) facilitates a very broad-based cultural exchange program. HI AYH members travel domestically and abroad, while AYH hostels share American culture with HI association members from around the world.
AYH councils also provide local members and visitors with a wide range of special programs, events, trips and activities. Many such activities are provided for the physically challenged, disadvantaged youth and senior citizens.
Inside Our Council
Board
of Directors
Executive
Officers
Ron
O’Neal, President
Executive
Director, Educational Opportunity
Deidra
Bailey, Vice-President
Executive
Director,
Each One Teach
Consultants
Doris
NG,
Treasurer
Comptroller,
Philadelphia
International Records
Dimitri
Dovas-Esquire,
Secretary
Dovas
Law P. C.
Directors
Shaun
Brady
Raymond
Finkel
Carolyn
Y. Lewis
Andrew
S. Margolis, Esquire
Timothy McDonnell - Retired, GE
Adrian
Miller
William
Durham
Mary
Ann Knight - Attorney
at Law
Kenneth
Young, Esquire
- Young & Associates,
LLC.
Frances
Ann Wilson - Educator
Annual Reports and Tax Returns
Staff
Ta’Juanna
D. Anderson, Executive
Director
Hostel
Managers
Raymond
Burt, HI
Iron Master’s Mansion, Pine
Grove Furnace State Park,
Gardners, PA
Key Volunteers
Amadee
Braxton
Randall
Blanchard
Eric
&
Sophie Horowitz
Nancy
& Dean Kahn
Aubrey
Jarrett
Joseph McDonnell
Linda
Waters