75+ Years

The Beginning: Five Friends, One Vision

On August 19, 1950, Arnold Rolkert gathered a group of friends together including Gunnar Engen, Carlo Hojsgaard, Peter Larsen Bernard, and Ulla Lindberg to form what they called The Young Scandinavians Club of San Francisco. The name was later shortened to The Young Scandinavians Club.

The idea was to build a club for newly settled Scandinavians far from home—where they could speak their native language, celebrate Scandinavian traditions, and find a fun, active alternative to the more traditional lodges in San Francisco. Thirty members attended the club's first general meeting the following January, and Arnold became its first president. This moment marked the birth of a community that would span generations and create countless memories.

Seasonal Cabin Rentals Begin

President Svend Svendsen led the club in beginning the annual tradition of renting seasonal properties at Clear Lake and in the Sierra Nevada—laying the groundwork for the cabin culture that would define YSC for decades.

Incorporated as Non-Profit

Nordic Highlight newsletter from 1960

YSC incorporated as a nonprofit organization; 10th anniversary banquet at Canterbury Hotel (anniversaries celebrated every 5 years since); first ski cabin rented at Lake Tahoe.

Lisa for President

Lisa Gille (now Wiborg) begins four-year reign as president. She later serves another year. Started renting current Clear Lake cabin.

The Clear Lake Acquisition

40 YSC members on their legendary group flight back to Scandinavia

Clear Lake cabin with the 100-foot private dock

The Clear Lake property was acquired, establishing the club's first permanent home. That same year, 40 members took a legendary group flight back to Scandinavia.

15th Anniversary Celebration

15th Anniversary banquet celebration

YSC celebrates its 15th Anniversary, continuing the tradition of commemorating club milestones every five years with members and friends.

20th Anniversary

YSC 20th Anniversary celebration

On September 26, 1970, YSC celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a grand celebration at Del Webb's Townhouse in San Francisco. In a remarkable show of diplomatic support, all the Consul Generals of the Nordic countries attended—representing Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland—marking this as one of the most prestigious events in YSC history.

Yosemite Adventure

YSC members at Yosemite National Park

YSC members embark on memorable outdoor adventures to Yosemite National Park, strengthening bonds through shared experiences in nature.

Clear Lake rebuild

Formed CL Task Force to rebuild cabin. Produced architectural plans and received bids from contractors for 2-story building, cost $135 to $160K. Plans were dropped due to an existing building moratorium and resulting permit problems. It was decided to renovate instead.

Major Clear Lake renovations

Major renovations on Clear Lake cabin, with member Inge Sullivan as key contractor—carrying forward the renovation plan after rebuild plans were shelved due to the building moratorium.

35th Anniversary Celebration

Anniversary program cover

Program details

On November 2, 1985, YSC celebrates its 35th Anniversary with an elegant celebration at the St. Francis Yacht Club, commemorating 35 years of Scandinavian fellowship and tradition.

Lucia Celebration

YSC Lucia celebration, 1985

YSC Lucia celebration captured in this memorable photo.

Executive Committee

Executive Committee at Clear Lake, 1986

The Executive Committee meeting at Clear Lake. New floating docks with steel pilings and sea wall reconstruction completed.

Tahoe Acquisition Campaign Begins

After years of renting winter properties in the Sierras, the club formally committed to purchasing a Tahoe cabin. A Tahoe Acquisition Committee led by Bent Kjølby, with Curt Berg, Bobby Weinstein, and Joe MacKie, launched an organized fundraising drive that would culminate in the 1993 purchase.

Tahoe Cabin Purchase

Under President Craig Lieber, the club purchased the Tahoe cabin for $190,000 in August 1993—financing $100,000 at 7.5% with a balloon payment due in 2008. Members raised over $75,000 through fundraising efforts, matched by $15,000 from the general fund, under the leadership of Bent Kjølby's acquisition committee.

New Clear Lake ambitions

A Bathroom Subcommittee was charged with expanding and remodeling the bathrooms at CL. After ten different design schemes construction drawings were submitted for bidding. The plans incorporated a separate new structure complete with handicapped access and resistant to periodic flooding. At a cost of $106,000 it was decided that we might as well build a whole new cabin. Preliminary drawings for a 2-story structure were made for a presentation at our 50th anniversary. The Bathroom Subcommittee was disbanded in 1999.

Tahoe Cabin Master on the Board

Andrew Vik, 24, becomes youngest president in YSC history. Changes made to the bylaws to include Tahoe Cabin Manager on the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees at six full members (formerly five plus an alternate).

YSC 50th Anniversary

On Saturday, October 7, 2000, YSC celebrates its 50th anniversary with a grand party at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. Svend Svendsen serves as master of ceremonies; past presidents are introduced; and guest of honor Arnold Rolkert—the club's first president—flies in from Sweden to address the membership. The evening features a custom 50th anniversary song by Wenche Lier, Mogens Lauesen, and Knud Dyby, accordion music by Andy Nielsen, and dancing until 1:00 a.m.

Tahoe Cabin Mortgage Paid Off

On April 8, 2004, the club pays off the remaining $83,908.56 balance on the Tahoe cabin mortgage—more than four years ahead of the 2008 balloon due date. Clear Lake and Tahoe are now owned debt-free, completing a dream that began with seasonal rentals nearly five decades earlier.

55th Anniversary Celebration

On October 1, 2005, YSC celebrates its 55th anniversary with a dinner and party at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco—featuring Scandinavian fare, a custom-labeled wine from Søren Bloch, kransekage by Carsten Johansen, and a program organized by Signe Vik, Thomas Nielsen, Per Madsen, and fellow volunteers.

Clear Lake bathroom remodel

Bathrooms finally remodeled according to 1982 scheme – move wall to add a toilet and a shower from men's to women's room, and installing two showers in men's room using existing plumbing. Purchase new gas stove, an electric double oven and a refrigerator for the pantry.

Sauna in Tahoe

John Rollings Memorial Sauna at Tahoe

Tahoe Cabin – After a strong fundraising drive by the Tahoe committee, the John Rollings Memorial Sauna is inaugurated in November this year.

65th Anniversary

Seven YSC presidents at the 65th Anniversary celebration

In September, YSC celebrates its 65th Anniversary with a grand black-tie party at the Maritime Museum in San Francisco.

Clear Lake flooded

Clear Lake – After several dry years with many wildfires around the lake it is finally raining again. The Clear Lake cabin is again flooded with a foot of water on throughout the cabin.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the YSC, (together with most of the world), has to freeze all operations and close our cabins.

75 Year Anniversary

YSC 75th Anniversary celebration

The YSC celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a grand party at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco.

Peter Nordström Returns as President

Peter Nordström returns as president of the club after coming back to the board in 2025 as an event coordinator, marking his return to leadership.

YSC Choir Founded

The YSC Choir is launched as a welcoming community choir rooted in Scandinavian musical tradition—open to all members, with no auditions or prior choral experience required.