The Idaho Falls Youth Hostel

 

According to a Google search, the closest hostel to Idaho Falls currently is in Driggs and charges $65 for breakfast and a bunk bed in a 6-bed dormitory.[1] In 1975, the Idaho Falls Youth Hostel charged $2 per night for bed, breakfast and shower, or $1.50 without the shower.[2]

Sponsored by the Regional Council for Christian Ministry (RCCM),[3] the Idaho Falls Youth Hostel was located in the gymnasium of First Presbyterian Church, and operated for six years, from 1974 through 1979. The first year it was open from June 15 to August 23, and in that period accommodated 279 travelers, some multiple nights:

Included were two church groups on summer excursions, one from an Episcopal Church in Belvedere, California and another Presbyterian group from the Des Moines Iowa area. The variety of guests included families looking for work and housing, a 40-year veteran of the freight trains, some wandering emissaries of the “Jesus Movement,” artists, poets and PhDs.

Most years it was staffed by seminary students or graduates.  The first directors were a couple from New York City, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce A. Rodgers. Toward the end of their stay, the Rodgers commented that they enjoyed their stay in Idaho Falls, finding the people very friendly.  Regarding the hostel, Mrs. Rodgers said that they had absolutely no problems or complaints from the guests or community, and noted that a majority of the guests were bicyclers traveling through the area. That year space was available for 12 guests, with special arrangements made for the church groups.

In 1975 the hostel was open from June 23 through August 23. The RCCM noted that travel by young people was on the upswing. They want to visit other places, meet other people, find their own identity and experience the world. Finding inexpensive, safe, clean and friendly places to stay was difficult. Often they were mistreated because of different dress and appearance.  The hostel provided a place to sleep, clean up and have a good meal.  In regard to the Christian community of the city, the hostel provided opportunities to encounter many strangers to the church and to overcome basic misconceptions and alienating attitudes held by many youth and young adults toward Christianity, according to Jay Larson of the Regional Council.  He added, “Expressing the love of Christ to the travelers will be accomplished by the interchange with the director, staff and church members.  It is our goal that when the guest leaves, he or she will have a new understanding and appreciation of the church and the Christian faith.”

That year the hostel served 326 guests and was staffed by Randal (Randy) K. and Tracy B. Gullickson. Randy was a student at Luther-Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, while Tracy was a registered nurse. Following their time at the Hostel, the Gullicksons stayed in Idaho Falls in order for Randy to complete an internship at First Lutheran Church.  At the end of the summer, he reported:

Our guests came from 33 different states and 13 foreign countries.  The foreign travelers came from as far away as Argentina, Japan, South Africa and Israel.  Other countries represented were France, Austria, Canada, Virgin Islands, Greece, West Germany, England, Czechoslovakia and Switzerland. Guests were allowed to use the kitchen to prepare their evening meal or snack.  The directors used the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the guests. Some of our most enjoyable discussions took place over the breakfast table and dishes. Our weary travelers, well rested in the morning, seemed to have many more questions and comments then.  Most were more than eager to assist with clean up and dishes.

Following his time in Idaho, Randy had a long ministry as director of Lutheran camps in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and served on many National Lutheran Outdoor Ministries committees, as president of the Association of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Professionals, and on the Board of Directors of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries. It may well be that his experience in Idaho helped nurture his deep and abiding love for God’s creation.

In 1976 Tom Stutelberg and his wife Jeanette were in charge of the hostel, which was open from June 20 to August 27.  Tom was in his 3rd year as a seminary student at United Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Early in June of that year, the Teton Dam had collapsed, and the hostel provided services to disaster victims and as well as volunteers who came to help the disaster relief efforts.  That year 567 people from 30 states and 13 foreign countries stayed at the hostel.  Like the Gullicksons, the Stutelbergs remained in Idaho Falls so that Tom could complete an internship as youth pastor of First Lutheran Church.  Then five years later, in May 1982, they moved back to Idaho Falls, this time for Tom to pastor First Lutheran Church for the next five years.  He also visited Idaho Falls for the dedication of the church’s new building on Sunnyside in 1997.

The director of the hostel in 1977 was Marilyn Hybols, who had been in the community since the previous June as a volunteer worker on the Teton Dam disaster relief program of the Christian Reformed Church. She has previously worked settling Vietnamese refugees and in Appalachia with the Head Start Program.  Her assistant was Chris Hedrick, a Mennonite volunteer who also came to the community because of the Teton Dam disaster. He had been managing the Rexburg office of Teton Interfaith, the organization formed to coordinate Teton flood relief efforts.  Jay Larson, chairman of the Church and Society Commission of the First Presbyterian Church said, “The Hostel exists to be host, friend and a help in the name of Christ to anyone who comes our way.  The Hostel’s goal is to plant the seeds of caring in the lives of those who may be estranged from the church, God and men.  We fervently hope that people may come to recognize our Lord in the breaking of bread and sharing our life as did those two weary travelers on the road to Emmaus so many years ago,” The hostel was open that year from June 12 to August 26.

Dates of operation of the hostel were similar for its final two years. During these two summer months, it was open for registration from 5 pm to 11 pm.  It had two sleeping areas – the gymnasium and adjoining rooms - plus lounging areas and living quarters for the directors.  Peggy Reeser and Sarah Carpenter were co-directors in 1978; Kathleen Tresham, a student at Princeton Theological Seminary, directed the hostel in 1979. Many years later, Kathleen Tresham Anderson and her husband Tom spent 10 years volunteering at National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, State Parks, and several non-profit organizations.

The number of visitors to Yellowstone Park has almost doubled, from 2.4 million in 1979 to 4.7 million in 2024.  However, now hitchhikers are rarely seen, and most cyclists travel in well-organized groups.  In the 1970’s the church in Idaho Falls saw an opportunity to share Christ’s love with strangers and joined together to meet the need. May we be alert to the needs of strangers the Lord brings to Idaho Falls and ways He can use us to draw them to Himself.

Sources

The Post-Register, July 5, 1974, p. A-8, “First Presbyterian Church Operates Hostel in City.”

The Post-Register, August 19, 1974, p. B-5, “Idaho Falls Hostel Praised as Worthwhile Experience.”

The Post-Register, September 6, 1974, p. A-10, “Hostel Proved Popular with Many Travelers.”

The Post-Register, June 13, 1975, p. A-8, “Regional Christian Ministry Slates Summer Youth Hostel.”

The Post-Register, June 27, 1975, p. A-8, “Hostel of Idaho Falls Serves the Travelers.”

The Post-Register, September 19, 1975, p. B-4, “Hostel Aids Travelers.”

 https://www.boylanfuneralservices.com/obituaries/Rev-Randal-K-Gullickson?obId=8872609

The Post-Register, June 18, 1976, p. A-2, “Hostel to Open.”

The Post-Register, March 27, 1987, p. B-6, “Lutheran Pastor to Lead Final I.F. Service Sunday.”

The Post-Register, June 4, 1977, p. A-10, “Hostel to Begin Operation June 12 for Fourth Year.” 

The Post-Register, June 18, 1978, p. C-14, “Hostel Opens Doors Saturday.”

The Post-Register, July 2, 1978, p. A-2, “Local Youth Hostel Offers Lodging for Area Visitors.”

The Post-Register, June 22, 1979, p. A-12, “Hostel Opens in the Presbyterian Church.”

Kathleen Tresham Anderson, "Something to Write Home About: Ten Years Volunteering," Published by Lulu Press, Inc., September 9, 2023.

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[1] Rates were only available for the next five months, so this is the rate for mid-April.  Summer rates could be different.

[2] Because of inflation, $2 in 1975 is equivalent to $12 in 2025, $1.50 to $9. Rates at the Idaho Falls Hostel increased by 50 cents in 1979. 

[3] Member churches of the RCCM that participated in the Idaho Falls Youth Hostel were First Presbyterian, Trinity United Methodist, St. Paul’s United Methodist, First Lutheran, St. John’s Episcopal, First Baptist and First Christian.