On 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".
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 Hostel, from our parent National organization. Fundraising efforts are still continuing so that we can re-open to the public by next year.
Also 1995 saw our assuming direct management of four Pennsylvania Hostels located in or near state parks. 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. The travel center at 1210 Sansom Street is where one can purchase airline tickets, Eurail passes, backpacks, books and hostelling gear.
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.
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 70 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."
AYH is comprised of 35 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 (IYHF) facilitates a very broad-based cultural exchange program. AYH members travel abroad, while AYH hostels share American culture with IYHF 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.