Evening star., 1947-07-06

their own living needs. Equipped
with sleeping bags, they will trave
some 1900 miles on bicycles shipped
abroad from this country. In needy
countries they will prepare and eall
their own staple food supplies
bought In this country, and WIN
necessary they will exchange tF 4
staples for fresh food. Groups Al
will work for one month with Euro
peans then for a month they viii
bicycle 40 miles a day through thu
country they have chosen to visit
They will return to this country
early In September.
A Postwar Venture.
This Is the second American
Youth Hostel reconstruction and
bicycle tour abroad since the, end OF
the war. Initiated last summer, the
experiment in international living
was such an overwhelming success
that European ministers of educa-
ton and hostel directors again in
vited American hostelers to work
and travel in their countries.
Cost OF the trip to each partici-
pant is 5000. This includes passage
fare aboard converted troop trans
ports and all living expenses in Eu-
rope. Hostelers are prepared for
simple, outdoor living. Individual
budgets will be kept at 81 a day.
Giving Timely Aid.
Hostelers will receive no material
compensation for their work
Rather, their reward will lie in the
knowledge that their timely aid will
bring about renewed associations
among the youth of America and
Central Europe. Hosteling. long a
traditional mode of travel IN Europe
can accommodate its huge member
ship only when damaged buildings
have been repaired.
Those participating in the recon-
struction tour we're chosen from
hundreds of applicants after meticu-
lous screening. Each applicant was
interviewed by staff member Of the
American Youth Hostels. asked to
answer an elaborate QUESTIONABLE
and write an account of his reason
for going to Europe.
New York has the highest num-
ber of participants on this summers
trip, with a total of 46. California
with 80 participants, is second. Next
highest States are Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Illinois and Pennsyl-
vania.
Washington Group.
Those In the District of Columbia
group include: Rosalind Marguerite
Curl, AZ, of 1742 S street NV;
Rachel M. Emmett, 30, and Barbara
Mason Snow, SO, both of 81 Kennedy
street NV; Frances Hussey Stern
hagen IT, Of 1928 o street NV;
Janet Sherman Trowbridge, 1s. OF
1412 Twenty-ninth street; Paul An
thony Swami, 10, OF 319 Fourth
street Sc, and Barbara Ellen
Thorp, 20, the daughter of Assist
ant Secretary OF State Willard
Thorp.
Average of participants is 81 years
old. There are 125 girls and 100
boys. Most are students, but among
the group are many teachers and
veterans.
Relief Workers.
Hostelers have been issued pass
ports classifying them as relief
workers. Aboard six converted troop
transports they recently sailed fol
LIE Havre, Antwerp, Southampton
Copenhagen and Oslo. The steam
ships Marine Falcon, Marine Jump
er and Edam departed last week
For one month hostelers will bicycle
1900 miles through Europe.
Before their departure hostelers
read with interest q letter written
by Leo Meilink, secretary of the In
ternationai Youth Hostel Associa-
ton. MI. Meilink, a Holland native
wrote to American hostelers in ap.
probation of the work they did ir
Holland last year. His imperfect
English seemed to add to the poign.
ant sincerity of his words. I'VE
know you don't ask any thanks" he
wrote, but we like to tell you how
glad we are that you came. We
have been grateful for the materia,
help given us, but the outstanding
memory of this international work
party will be the fact that one veal
after the moment war ragged ovel
our fields and houses and the Alliee
armies swept over our countries
youth from all over the world agair
marched into our lands. But this
time armed with shovels, hammers
and paint brushes to reconstruct
where arms had destroyed. You
came to build a better and kinder
world and you brought with you q
message of international friend
ship"
Promote Good Will.
Monroe Smith, executive director
Of AYH at headquarters in North
field, Mass, said, I'VE believe that
those chosen to take part in this
summers experience represent the
best of wholesome American youth
They understand that in no way
can their trip be compared with q
prewar pleasure tour. Each project
is a pioneer trip one that demands
from an individual the ability to
cooperate and to enjoy new, un-
tried experiences. Many partici-
pants have had experience in play
ground leadership or camp projects
and many have knowledge OF
manual trades.
"A natural warmth and friendli-
ness for others, love of the out-of-
doors, a desire to travel for the JOY
of travelling and a zest for the ad.
ventures found in hosteling-hostel.
ers should have all of these qualif1.
cations" Mr.. Smith continued. "Ane
because they will help rebuild war.
torn minds and hearts as well a!
bombed, hostels, each one must be
sensitive to the needs of Europeans
We hope that the work we do to.
gether will hasten the day of re.
newed international travel for th'
youth of all the world"