Hostelling International North Carolina Council

 

As part of Hostelling International, our mission is to open American doors so that young travelers will have safe overnight lodgings, places to cook, places to find friends to explore our cities and countryside, ways to do it all on a budget.  And open doors, open minds!

 

In his May 31 column, Arthur Frommer said:  "...there's been a substantial weakening of the dollar, and if the trend continues, we international vacationers may need to change our buying habits."   He recommends:  "By lowering your accommodations requirements, at no cost to your comfort, you experience a more authentic form of foreign life."  Think hostelling!

In response to a multi-agency ad hoc committee, HI-USA (then AYH) sent a representative to NC in the mid-80s and chartered five Councils.  After years of sponsoring travel essay contests, canoeing clubs, cycling and backpacking trips, and trips to hostels, and quiet fundraising with spaghetti dinners and auctions, the five groups have now merged into one to promote a statewide network of hostels.

Board members and other volunteers make frequent presentations about hostelling for Rotary Clubs, Girl Scouts, university student groups, and others.  Interactive and  high energy, the focus is on "Open Doors, Open Minds."

News!   At November's HI-USA National Council Meeting, HI-NC President Sandy Preston won the Golden Triangle Award!