Youth Hostel Musings
by Victoria Goldsmith

When I recently read that the Eastham Youth Hostel, had been in existence for 40 years, I realized that I must have been one of its earlier visitors - 38 year ago during the summer of 1969.

At age15, as teenager raised in the suburbs of New York, I yearned to spread my wings, travel from home, gain some independence. I loved the out of doors, and anything that involved physical exertion and endurance. I don't know how I heard of hostelling - but for me (and my parents) - the fit was perfect. I signed on that summer for two trips with an established organization that offered group excursions for teens, under the supervision of trained adult leaders: a two week tour of Cape Cod and both Islands, and, after a brief return home, a week's stay at the Newport Folk Festival.

These trips still stand out in my memory as near idyllic experiences. I was thrown into a challenging team experience with about 15 other young people of varying backgrounds and interests. We needed to cooperate to stay together, make meals, clean up, plan the next day, fix flat tires.

There were basic rules to follow - but not too many. There was the thrill of being dropped by the bus at the end of Pamet Rd after the long ride from New York. We attached our saddle bags to the bikes, picked up a few supplies, and rode to our first destination - the Truro hostel across from Ballston beach.

There were sunsets unlike sunsets I had ever seen. There was the black night sky unlike night skies to be seen in the light drenched city and surrounding suburbs. There was no TV or any other electronic distractions.

There was a young teen's discovery of the amazing special way that salt wind, and salt sea, and quiet, the rhythmic lapping of waves on an empty beach, and countless newly revealed aspects of the natural world conspire to expand and soothe a soul, and trigger the release of new aspirations and life dreams. .

We invariably had the opportunity for conversation with people from across the country and around the world. The accommodations were modest - and so was the cost. We would stay in each hostel for a 1 - 3 days - using the days to explore and enjoy anything within day-ride distance -- and then hop on our bikes for a 10 - 30 mile ride to the next destination.

Transients indeed. Absolutely, marvelously, and exhilaratingly so.

Of all the very serious problems on our little peninsula today, none of them have been caused by an over abundance of young people being brought into deeper acquaintance with the natural world, being allowed to experience the joyful exertion of peddling their way from town to town, while benefiting from that special character-building mix of guided independence, teamwork, communication and education that are integral to the hostelling experience.

According to the Cape Cod Hostels website, Youth Hostels were founded in 1934 to "promote international understanding of the world and its people." A related, simple goal of hosteling's originator was to get his young students out of their coal mining town on the weekends, and into the countryside for fresh air and interaction with nature.

Today, communities are rightly ever more concerned about finding new pathways to promote understanding and peace, to engage and inspire young people, and to bring young people into closer connection with nature. Youth hostels are among the most tried and trued "old chestnuts" dedicated to such goals. I was thrilled to see that a bequest has been made to start a new youth hostel in Hyannis. I hope that through conversation and better understanding the Eastham community will renew its support for, and pride in, its little gem on Goody Hallett Rd.