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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
the Secretary for District Administration was set up to provide policy and guidelines for the planning of activities and appropriation of funds for the Summer Youth Programme. The decisions of the policy committee were implemented by a new Central Co-ordinating Committee with representatives from the government departments concerned and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. At the district level, a District Co-ordinating Committee was formed in each of Hong Kong's 18 districts, with membership comprising local leaders and representatives from government departments and voluntary social welfare agencies, to plan, implement and allocate funds for activities. The new arrangements enable the districts to play a more significant role in the organisation and co-ordination of summer youth activities.
Youth Hostels
The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association is a charitable organisation providing outdoor leisure opportunities for young people. The number of people holding annual membership is now around 23 000, these members being mainly in the 17-to-24 age group.
The association has eight hostels in operation, the newest being at Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island which opened in late 1983. The Pak Sha O hostel in Sai Kung Country Park, which was once a village school house, is being redeveloped at a cost of about $2.4 million. It will provide accommodation for over 100 members in two new dormitory buildings.
Running costs are covered from membership fees and overnight charges for the use of hostels. Capital expenditure is met by the association's own fund raising activities and by grants from charitable institutions. However, it will soon be necessary to seek large sums to replace Wayfoong Hall at Plover Cove.
Outward Bound
The mission of the Outward Bound School is to provide challenging educational and character training programmes that will develop in an individual a respect for self, care for others, responsibility to the community and sensitivity to the environment. The school's direct and indirect involvement in community building is reflected by the strength of its alumni associa- tion which now has more than 1 000 members, many of whom actively serve the community. More than 2 500 people - including children, students and business executives - attended courses in 1984. Interest by corporations and business firms in using Outward Bound as a training option for managers and supervisors increased and several companies have developed specially tailored contract programmes with the school. Under a tuition subsidy administered by the Recreation and Culture Department, a number of places on selected courses were offered to deserving young people who would not have been able to afford the full fees. In addition, programmes for handicapped people continued to have an important place in the school's work.
Through a combined grant from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Lotteries Fund, the school premises were renovated and a new administrative block built. Two 27-foot open sailing ketches were launched, complementing the brigantine Ji Fung and giving the land-based programme significant capability for extended expeditions. Also during the year, the school's first Executive Director, Mr Jack Tucker, retired after 15 years' service and was succeeded by Mr Derek Pritchard.
Adventure Ship
The Adventure Ship project began in 1977 with the acquisition of a large Chinese junk named the Huan. After conversion from its original design as a passenger vessel, it became