RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Summer Youth Programme
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The tenth Summer Youth Programme, which was officially opened by the Governor on June 18, 1978, was another successful venture with more than two million partici- pants.
As in the past nine years, the overall planning was undertaken by the Central Co-ordinating Committee for Youth Recreation. Under its umbrella, various govern- ment and non-government bodies, assisted by more than 50,000 volunteers, organised no less than 8,000 events at a cost of about $4.5 million a small price to pay for healthy and meaningful activities, both indoors and outdoors.
The 1978 programme was interesting and varied. While giving young people a chance to enjoy themselves in recreational activities, the programme also included demanding and challenging schemes which were aimed at widening the participants' knowledge, increasing their potential, stimulating other interests, and training their characters. Likewise, the training and community service programmes aimed at the development of social consciousness. Although most of the participants were students, many activities were arranged in the evenings and at weekends to cater for as many young workers as possible.
The funds for the 1978 programme came from various sources. They included a donation of $1.76 million from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, government sub- ventions, Urban Council funds, local contributions and fees collected from some
events.
Chinese New Year Programme
The Central Co-ordinating Committee for Youth Recreation also co-ordinated a programme of recreational and entertainment activities during Chinese New Year in February, aimed at young workers and their families. The first co-ordinated pro- gramme of its type, it proved to be sufficiently successful for more activities to be organised for 1979. The programme indicated a general preference for camps, outings and youth dances.
Outward Bound School
The Outward Bound School in Tai Mong, Tsai, Sai Kung, was increasingly popular in 1978 as it continued to offer a diversity of activities. During the year, one of its major functions the support of the government's Recreation and Sport Service was reviewed and the result is the school will concentrate on more specialised training courses for sports instructors and leaders.
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In 1978, the government's designation of two country parks in the Sai Kung peninsula meant the school had to forgo its wilderness training area. As a result, the Outward Bound programme has incorporated more sea-based activities and reduced its standard courses to 18 days. The school already operates more than 60 canoes and it is building up a fleet of sail boats. Late in the year, the school was exploring the possibility of substituting a large sail training ship for its Outward Bound programme. The Outward Bound Trust began raising funds to provide a sail training ship of some 40 metres in length which will go to sea for 16-day periods, carrying 36 young people. Substantial achievements have been made in the training of physically-handicapped children and adults. The school expanded its programmes to include the handicapped