American Youth Hostels Inc

Programs: Part of a worldwide educational movement, our council achieves its purpose through our hostels and educational programs; building bridges between people of varying backgrounds, encouraging a conservation ethic, and promoting world peace and intercultural understanding. The golden gate council operates 8 hostels in northern california, including three in san francisco, and several educational programs for hostel guests and the local community. Offering far more than just a "cheap sleep," hi hostels provide an educational programmatic experience for our guests that: - promotes intercultural interaction among travelers, - provides them with a "sense of place", - increases awareness and appreciation of the natural world, and - encourages cross-cultural understanding and international friendships. This year's achievements include:- served over 196,000 overnight guests and program participants at our eight council operated hostels in northern california. - deepened our programmatic relationship with both the boys and girls clubs of san francisco and schools in need of art programming by expanding our "community walls" program, which engages underserved youth participants and facilitates the expression of their community around them through artwork, to continue throughout the summer season for the first time. - expanded our impact on our local community by beginning a partnership with the san mateo county library system which will see the launch of a travel 101 speaking series delivered at no fee to community members across san mateo. Topics covered range from "trip planning 101" to "women travelling solo" to "the free and independent gay traveler". - increased opportunities for cross-cultural communication and interactions through the additions, renovations and capital improvements at all eight council operated hostels. - expanded our impact in overnight delivery by utilizing the new group facility and a new family room at our san francisco fisherman's wharf hostel to expand our mission delivery to emerging populations of family and group guests. - continued to focus on environmental sustainability in national parks through initiatives such as the purchasing of energy credits to offset 120% of the carbon emissions produced by our hostel operations within the ggnra. - provided environmental education, team building, cultural awareness, sensitivity and interpersonal skills development for elementary through high school students through curriculum based program delivery. And for guests from across the world an across the us through hostel based program delivery. - participated in country wide discussions and analysis to improve efficiencies and expand mission delivery across the us.

hostel adventures programming (hap) uses our coastal and city hostels as a base for exploration and education about the natural world, intercultural exchange, cultural understanding through cuisine, and self-expression about one's heritage and community. More than 2,000 young people participated in these programs, many of whom came from inner city schools and non-profit agencies. A hostelship fund, provided by private donations, ensures that the neediest of groups can participate.

our vision: our communities will be enhanced by the presence of our hostels, programs, and visitors from around the world. Hostellers' lives will be enriched by their hostelling experience, contributing to the spread of world peace, environmental stewardship, and international understanding throughout the world.