RichmondHostel.org
  help welcome the world!

Richmond Hostel
Committee
richmond@potomachostels.org
 
"Ready to Welcome the World?"
Hostelling in Richmond Needs You!

Congratulations to Jennifer Wampler on being appointed Chair of the Richmond Hostel Committee on June 10, 2009 by PAC president Kristin Smith. Thanks from all are extended to Joe Coyle who recently served in that role and remains an active board member of the hostelling council.  Bernie and Charlotte LaRoy continue guiding the planning for a Richmond hostel as well.

SPRING 2010 NEWSFLASH: Potomac Area Council of HI-USA provides “Boots on the Ground” for Richmond ... We’re pleased to announce that Matt Warfield, Operations Manager for the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International USA, is now devoting part of his time in support of the Richmond Hostel Project. Matt will be available during business hours to make contacts and survey possible hostel sites. Thanks to the PAC and to Matt for his energy!

 
                                         UPCOMING EVENTS (2010)


 All are welcome at the monthly meetings of the Richmond Hostel Committee. Learn what’s going on with the Richmond Hostel Project and help plan the next steps. Meetings are generally the third Wednesday of each month at the West End Library, 5420 Patterson Avenue.  Informal discussion starts at 5:30 pm with the official meeting from 6 to 7:30. Participants often adjourn to a local eatery after the meeting.  See meeting dates below.

Coming this spring
 Cannon Creek Greenway Clean-up

Richmond Hostel supporters will join the Sierra Club and other groups from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to help clean up an area slated to be Richmond’s newest park.  Contribute to this worthwhile effort and help gain recognition for the Richmond Hostel Project at the same time.  Contact Jennifer at jenniwamp@gmail.com for more information or to join the Richmond Hostel contingent.

 
April 21 (Wednesday), 2010:  6:30 - 8:30pm
Richmond Hostel Meeting  Coordinator is Joe Coyle.
   
May 19 (Wednesday), 2010:  6:30 - 8:30pm
Richmond Hostel Meeting  Coordinator is Jennifer Wampler.

 June 4-6 (Friday-Sunday), 2010
Hostelling Event at Pocohantas State Park (20 miles south of Richmond) All welcome!
 ·  Mark your calendar for the weekend of June 4th – 6th when the Richmond Hostel Committee has reserved a group camp at Pocahontas State Park just south of Richmond.  The event is still in the planning stage, but hiking, cycling and a pot luck dinner are in the offing.  Overnight accommodations will be in rustic cabins, but the dining hall provides modern rest rooms and kitchen facilities.  Directors of the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International will be on hand, so here’s a chance to make your ideas known in an informal setting. “Stay tuned” for more details.  

Why does Richmond need a Hostel?

Jennifer Wampler is compiling a list of the ways a hostel would benefit Richmond and its citizens.   It’s already pretty long, but make your ideas known by emailing Jennifer at jenniwamp@gmail.com? 


                                    PAST EVENTS (2008-2009)
  
 March 2 (Monday), 2009:  7pm - 8:30pm
"World Travel 101" Presentation at VCU Student Commons
Joe Coyle shares tips and techniques about budget travel abroad


March 14 (Saturday), 2009:  9 a.m.
Ride on the Virginia Capital Trail ... Ride the gentle stretch
 of 8-miles from Chickahominy Riverfront Park to Jamestown Settlement on a beautiful bicycle path. Co-sponsored by the Sierra Club. Call 804-340-0927 for details.


 March 16 (Monday), 2009:  6:30 pm - 8:30pm
Richmond Hostel Meeting at Richmond Main Library.  All welcome! 101 East Franklin Street (Room A), Richmond, VA.
 


 March 20-22 (Friday-Sunday), 2009: - 8:30pm
Harpers Ferry Weekend Getaway: Combine work and play this weekend! Help maintain the Harpers Ferry Hostel on Saturday and enjoy bicycling, hiking or touring this historic area on Sunday.  Carpool options available for those who need rides.     

   
 February 16 (Monday), 2009: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Richmond Hostel Meeting  hosted by Patsy and Lee Jones-Hubert of Richmond, VA

January 12 (Monday), 2009: 7pm - 8:30 pm
Richmond Hostel Meeting at Richmond Main Library
101 East Franklin Street (Room B), Richmond, VA

 ·  Main objective: formation of Sub-Committees in such areas as fund raising,
          publicity, etc.  Progress of the project will depend on these sub-committees
 ·  Review of the national meeting in Silver Spring, MD (mid November 2008) 
           of Hostelling International USA.
 ·  Following up our holiday fundraising event
 ·  Status of the Business Plan


December 14 (Sunday) 2008  Holiday party at the home of educator Mr. Richard Towell to celebrate the Richmond Hostel efforts. The city council was invited. Enjoying the afternoon refreshments and flute music were 30 travel enthusiasts and National Board member of Hostelling International USA  Ahmed Soliman.

      

October 24-26 (Friday-Sunday) 2008  7 representatives from Richmond gathered in Baltimore for the annual meeting of the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International staying overnight at the Baltimore Hostel, meeting hostelers from VA, DC, and MD. * Thanks to Frank Pratka for the walking tour of Baltimore on Sunday morning.  A work party Sunday afternoon helped renovate the basement level of the Baltimore hostel (at 17 W. Mulberry Street):

·  Breakfast at the Baltimore Hostel
 ·  Pot luck lunch at the Baltimore hostel (starting at 11:30 a.m.)
 ·  Presentation by John Wills on his recent trip to Croatia and Slovenia
 ·  Report of the Potomac Area Council and election of board (1 p.m.)
·  Tour the Baltimore hostel and discussion of hostel operations (what works
           and what doesn’t) with manager Matt Warfield.
 ·  Dinner at Mickey O'Sheas, 2 blocks away.
  ·  Tour of Baltimore on Sunday morning (with Frank) before joining in a work party at the Baltimore Hostel.


November 8-9 (Saturday-Sunday), 2008

The Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International ran a booth at the annual GreenFestival at the D.C. Convention Center.  Several  hundred people stopped by to learn about hostels all over the world and a future Richmond hostel. (The Richmond Hostel effort in fact grew out of conversations with Faye Hager at this event last year!)  Julie Sanches gave a presentation about her travels around the world (and eco-friendly hostels) on Sunday. www.greenfestivals.org/washington-dc-2008. 
November 19-23, 2008  National Meeting of Hostelling International USA in Silver Spring, MD.  Representatives from Richmond met with the National staff and over 100 representatives of the hostelling councils from around the U.S.


December 14 (Sunday), 2008: 2pm-dusk
*** Richmond Hostel Holiday Party for all hostel friends, fans, fun-lovers, and supporters ... at the home of a hostel booster in north Richmond.  Thanks to Mr. Towell and to everyone for sharing food, drink, conversation, and celebrating the joy of the season and our successes to date!

 

 
Come join a committed group of volunteers trying to create the first-ever Richmond Hostel:

Put Richmond on the hostelling map (with 4,000 other cities)
Travel Wall (bring your favorite postcard to add to the wall)
Travel slide show
Hostelling literature & maps
Budget travel ideas in USA, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America
    

Your ideas, energy, funds and talents will help
put Richmond on the Hostelling Map!
 


For more information, please call the Potomac Area Council of Hostelling International USA at:
 
 (202) 783-4943  or (804) 340-0927
 
or for a faster reply, please send an email to: richmond@potomachostels.org 

  






 
NEWSFLASH:

THE RICHMOND
 HOSTEL EFFORT
IS PROUD TO BE
LISTED ON:
 
     
     
3LadyHostellers Gatheringunderglobe
     
EdBroganBand JenniferCakeforRussell
     
Charlotte takes control
     
     
     

What is Hostelling?    
Hostelling is more than staying in a hostel. It's about traveling within the U.S. or around the world, interacting with the community and understanding other cultures. Hostelling is embarking on a trip ... with an open mind for adventure and experiencing the wonder of travel to its fullest.

Hostelling provides a venue for personal growth and a better understanding of the world and its people. Whether you or your group are staying in bunk beds or a private family room, hostels offer common rooms, kitchens, and dining areas for interaction. 

In addition, hostel councils offer local citizens and guests educational programs (such as budget travel workshops, slide shows on Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, walking tours, and other activities that promote interaction and socialization with the community). Hostellers are caring world citizens who are catalysts for cultural exchange and stewards of the earth. The lives of people have been changed because of their hostelling experiences.

BunksEnjoy a network of nearly 4,000 hostels in over 60 countries around the world (for people of all ages) which together form the non-profit organization known as Hostelling International (HI). Members of HI-USA (www.hiusa.org) have access to all hostels in the worldwide HI network ... and to a lifetime of global vision and new friendships!

 How can I Help?
    
Thank you for asking!  The Richmond Hostel will be ready ... as soon as: 1) enough funds are raised for a down payment, 2) volunteers like you decide to get involved (to help with publicity, programs, hostel renovation, fundraising, tours, & marketing).  Corporate and private donations in the first 60 days have been terrific, and a capital campaign is being planned. (We have even identified a promising building.)  But we need your help and your ideas. Come and join the fun ... and help show the world all Richmond has to offer!  A showcase hostel like those in Boston, Baltimore, and New York, not to mention Heidelberg, Lima, Barcelona and London! A "Gateway to the South", a link on the circuit between Washington and Williamsburg! An anchor of the Virginia Capital Trail. A place to welcome the world.
           
TO VOLUNTEER: please email richmond@potomachostels.org or please
call and leave message at: 202-783-4943

 TO MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION of $50 / $100 / $500 / (?):
please make your check out to:
"Potomac Area Council -- Richmond Hostel" and mail to: Potomac Area Council 
1009 11th Street, NW, Wash., DC 20001

 TO HAVE FUN: come to our Open Houses or meetings!
LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD:  go Hostelling!
TO CONTACT US:  please leave a message at: 202-783-4943
 

 RichmondHostel.org
  help make it happen!