Nearly 100 years ago, in 1909, a teacher named Richard Schirrmann had the idea of providing low-cost overnight accommodation for young hikers, especially school parties, while he was sheltering from a thunderstorm one night during a school trip with his class.

In 1912, the first permanent Youth Hostel was established in Altena in Germany's Sauerland region.

The hostelling movement has always seen itself as a community that brings together people across national borders, and that contributes towards tolerance and intercultural understanding by means of youth exchanges and encounter programmes. The statutes of the German Youth Hostels Association (Deutsches Jugendherbergswerk DJH) state the promotion of youth encounters, healthy living and environmental awareness as part of its purpose.

Individual international encounters happen every day in Youth Hostels. Additionally, DJH offers space for the educational experience of getting together to German and international groups.

This page lists the unique features that characterise Youth Hostels and DJH as a whole. We hope it will highlight what is positive and special about our work and give a general picture of what we offer.

The idea of meetings in peace between young people from all over the world is at the very heart of Youth Hostelling and has lost nothing of its relevance in our day. Intercultural understanding and getting to know other people from our own country and abroad mirrors the variety of life in a Youth Hostel. The promotion of environmental education and nature conservation has been anchored in DJH's statutes ever since it began.

2. DJH as a voluntary organisation

The involvement of almost 2000 voluntary staff makes DJH a broadly based pluralistic society that reflects on and encourages the idea of serving the common good. The principle of volunteering structures ensures that a broad spectrum of society at large is represented.

3. DJH and its image

DJH has been "on the market" for nearly 100 years. Users and visitors know they can rely on DJH and appreciate it. Over the decades, DJH's image has developed into that of a modern, non-profit and charitable provider of services to schools, associations and  groups, families and individual travellers from Germany and abroad.

4. DJH as a charitable association

DJH is officially recognised as a membership organisation for non-profit purposes in connection with services to young people, and its commitments include voluntary service and civilian alternatives to military service for conscientious objectors.

This means that guests in DJH hostels need affordable prices, especially for young people and families. DJH's pricing policy is guided by the need to cover costs and not by the principle of maximising profits.

However, DJH is not only an idealistic undertaking, it is also in business. It is one of the few youth service institutions that is able to cover the running costs of its operations from its own resources, while at the same time earning part of the funding it needs for investment.

Youth Hostels in general, but especially those designated as "Environmental Study Centres" lead the field in sustainable development and offer programmes on a wide variety of environmental topics.

DJH takes the lead in putting "Agenda 21" into practice by means of programmes that are grounded in the principles of education and learning-by-doing, and by catering for and building designs for a healthy living. DJH is a pioneer when it comes to the reconciliation of conflicting economic, ecological and social interests. 

Youth Hostels can be found throughout Germany. DJH has more than 550 Youth Hostels, making it the biggest provider of youth accommodation.

2. Youth Hostels are international

Youth Hostels are characterised by an open and tolerant atmosphere. International encounters among young people in Youth Hostels encourage them to learn social skills, especially with regard to tolerance and understanding between peoples. DJH membership opens up access to over 4000 Youth Hostels all over the world.

3. Youth Hostels offer different service profiles

Many Youth Hostels have developed their own particular service priorities, such as "Environmental Study Centre", "Family-friendly hostel", "Cultural Study Centre" or "FEEL GOOD ("Gut Drauf") Youth Hostel". Each profile is subject to  a quality management system for the different visitor groups.

Several Youth Hostels offer special facilities and services for particular visitor groups. Guests with disabilities are especially welcome. Nearly all Youth Hostels have areas with easy access for visitors with physical disabilities. 

4. Youth Hostels offer space for educational experiences

Youth Hostels offer a wide variety of different allround programmes designed for all kinds of target groups.

The programmes are designed and run by specially trained staff and are coordinated by appropriately qualified local partners.

Youth Hostels are ideally placed to facilitate and support learning, whether in conjunction with school or extra-curricular activities and above all in the context of social skills.

Families with children are sure of a warm welcome in Youth Hostels. Many Youth Hostels have attained the qualification for the profile "Family-friendly hostel". They offer family accommodation and meals and focus on the kind of activity programmes that families enjoy. However, families will find a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for their children at all Youth Hostels.

6. Youth Hostels are run by experts

Youth Hostel staff are trained educators and service experts. DJH runs its own in-service training programmes to assure their ongoing qualification.

7. Youth Hostels offer good value for money

Youth Hostels provide reasonably priced services at the low-budget end of the scale. This makes them eminently suitable both for school trips and excursions and family or group holidays.

Generally speaking, Youth Hostels will provide groups with their own day-room at no extra charge.