Volunteer With HI USA

Sharrod F., HI New York City Volunteer

It's like being an Ambassador for New York City. I get to share my experiences and knowledge of the city while learning about different parts of the world. I would encourage others to volunteer at HI USA, because you will have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and a chance to engage with like-minded people that like to travel. The hostel atmosphere will spark the travel bug inside you.

Stephanie Y. – Travel Scholarship Committee Volunteer

I love the people I get to meet while volunteering! It's such a great experience engaging with travelers from all over the world and getting to know them better. Plus, it's not often you can gain experience learning to communicate with people from 8 different cultures in the same conversation and work towards a common goal. I especially loved my experience being a part of the Explore the World Travel Scholarships program this year and helping people achieve their dreams and make an impact on the world. I hope to be involved again next year!

Karen M. – HI Boston Volunteer

I love all the amazing open-minded people I've met like my fellow volunteers in Boston and the international hostellers. I have gained better leadership skills, and interpersonal skills and connections. A special experience I remember was two summers ago when several other Boston volunteers and I took a trip to the HI Eastham hostel on Cape Cod to help close it for the end of the season. On this trip, I grew close with my fellow HI volunteers as well as our community engagement coordinator, Michael. I also learned so much about HI and it's history and how it was once a global coalition and after unification, broke off into national groups. The director of the Eastham hostel, Donnie, had been working in HI hostels for a long time and taught us all about it. Her and her husband, Mike, were incredibly welcoming and after we did all the work to clean out the hostel, we were able to explore the cape and enjoy the beach. Unfortunately, Donnie passed away shortly after but I'll always remember her great stories and wonderful attitude that encapsulates the hosteling experience.

Keith T. – HI Los Angeles Santa Monica Volunteer

I have been volunteering at Hostelelling International in Santa Monica, California for over three years.  I live an hour away from the hostel, but it's worth the drive. I love meeting new people (especially from other cultures) and traveling.  When I travel, I often stay at hostels and meet new friends.  I wanted to find a way to meet new people from different countries when I was not traveling so I found the closest HI hostel to me and the rest was history.  I started by hosting a Pub Crawl every Wednesday night.  It was a great opportunity for the guests to meet up and talk. It was super successful, so I started a Sunday night Pub Crawl.  I am grateful to everyone I spoke with because through their eyes I learned to appreciate my own city of Los Angeles.  Through my volunteer experience, I have made various friends from all over the world.  I had the opportunity to meet up with them in their own countries and some had returned to California.

Derek S. – HI Chicago Volunteer

Volunteering with HI USA has been a tremendous experience. I love that every day is a new adventure with new faces. Since I began volunteering, I have met travelers and friends from all around the globe. Some may be quickly passing through with only a brief moment to see the popular sights, while others are may be entering a new phase of their lives or have more time to spare. In addition to the guests, the other HI USA volunteers I have met all have a passion for sharing their knowledge of the city and culture with others. Even though everyone comes from different backgrounds, the guests and volunteers at HI USA are part of a global community. Since I began volunteering at HI USA, I have made new lifelong friends that I would otherwise have never met.

Volunteers 17 & Under Questions

Do adults need to accompany youth volunteers?

Yes. All youth between the ages of 14 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian that is at least 18 years of age. Volunteers 17 and under must provide a waiver and release form signed by a parent or guardian.

Can youth volunteer with HI-USA?

The minimum age for volunteers is 14 years old. All youth between 14 and 17 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older at all times. Youth may not be dropped off to volunteer. NOTE: not all hostels support youth volunteer positions. If you have questions about which hostels accept youth volunteers please email volunteer@hiusa.org

Can a group of youth volunteer together?

The minimum age for volunteers is 14 regardless if a volunteer is with a group or not. A group must have 1 adult chaperone to every 5 youth. In addition, each youth must provide a waiver and release form signed by a parent or guardian.

The group leader will need to contact the hostel or region directly to set up a volunteer opportunity. Note: not all hostels and regions are able to support volunteer groups. If you have questions about which hostels and regions accept volunteer groups please email volunteer@hiusa.org

Examples of volunteer projects that youth groups have assisted with include:

• Outdoor cleanup projects
• Light hostel makeover projects
• Hosting kitchen supply drive for hostel

Note: If your group does not meet the age or chaperone ratio requirements listed above please contact volunteer@hiusa.org with your group volunteering request.