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| About the Los Angeles Council of Hostelling International The Los Angeles Council HI-USA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization established for educational and charitable purposes. The council is one of 33 local HI-USA councils in the United States. The Los Angeles Council HI-USA is responsible for the development of, and service to HI-USA hostels in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Bernardino and northern Orange counties. There are 4,000 HI-USA members in the council’s jurisdiction. Hostelling International–USA (HI-USA), formerly known as American Youth Hostels, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization founded in 1934 to promote a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling. HI-USA is a member of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). The entire network, known as Hostelling International, offers 4,000 hostels in more than 60 countries. Hostelling International U.S.A. has 33 regional councils. These councils provide local members and visitors with a wide range of special programs, events, trips and activities. Each local council works with the National office to oversee 100 hostels throughout the United States that are inexpensive, safe and clean. Hostels range from urban high-rise buildings with hundreds of beds to small more remote hostels in rural settings. The mission of HI-USA is “to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people, through hostelling.” The HI-USA vision is that “hostellers will become caring world citizens who are catalysts for intercultural exchange and understanding, and who are stewards of the earth.” Hostelling began when Richard Schirrmann a German school teacher started taking his students on weekend field trips to the countryside for fresh air and interaction with nature. He was concerned about the health and welfare of his students growing up in a coal-mining town. School buildings, empty on weekends, were used for overnight accommodations. The concept of a network of student “youth hostels” was developed from this experience. The hostelling movement grew quickly in Europe. In 1932, the first international meeting was held in Amsterdam and the IYHF was formed. In 1934, the first American youth hostel opened in Northfield, Massachusetts. Within a year, more than 30 hostels were operating throughout New England; today there are approximately 100 hostel locations throughout the U.S. There are more than 100,000 HI-USA members in the U.S. and three million Hostelling International members worldwide. The Los Angeles Council is led by an Executive Director and Board of Directors, all volunteers, who are responsible for HI-USA operations and programs in the greater Los Angeles area. The Council provides programs for both hostellers and the local community, in addition to fundraising events and hostel development. The LAC currently operates hostels in San Pedro (60 beds) and Fullerton (20 beds), and is a joint venture partner with HI-USA in the HI-Los Angeles/Santa Monica hostel (260 beds). In 2005, the three hostels recorded more than 60,000 overnights. If you are interested in joining us as a volunteer please see more information on our volunteers page. The LA Council operates the HI Travel Centre in Santa Monica, which provides travel products, memberships and services to budget-conscious travelers of all ages. In addition to its travel services, the LAC conducts a series of educational programs to promote the HI-USA mission. One example is an environmental youth education program called "Discover Your World", which teaches children to be good stewards of the earth and helps them to discover the world around them. Others include travel workshops, an annual travel grant program for students, and the “Spirit of Adventure Award,” all of which promote experiential education through travel. The Los Angeles Council of HI-USA is an official charity of the City of Los Angeles Marathon and the Annual Alpine Village Oktoberfest. |
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