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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
The 1985 Summer Youth Programme adopted the International Youth Year themes of 'Participation, Development, Peace'. More than 9 000 events were held between June and September and drew over 650 000 participants. About $13 million was spent on the programme, of which $5.25 million was donated by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. The balance came from the government, Urban Council, private donations and fees from participants. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club also donated $1.9 million for setting up permanent recreational facilities for young people. The three projects selected were the Caritas Siu Tong Camp, the Tai Tam Camp of the Scout Association and the Tuen Mun Camp of the Hong Kong Girl Guides. In addition, the club offered three scholarships for outstanding youth volunteers of the 1985 Summer Youth Programme to attend an 18-day course on board the Outward Bound vessel Ji Fung.
For the second year, the Summer Youth Programme was co-ordinated by the City and New Territories Administration, with a three-tier executive operation. The Summer Youth Programme Policy Committee provides policy guidelines for the planning of activities; the Summer Youth Programme Central Co-ordinating Committee implements the decisions of the policy committee and appropriates funds for the Summer Youth Programme; and District Co-ordinating Committees were formed in the territory's districts to plan, imple- ment and allocate funds for district activities.
Youth Hostels
The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association is a charitable organisation providing outdoor leisure opportunities for young people. The number of annual members continued to grow in 1985, reaching around 31 000, with members being mainly in the 17 to 24 age group.
The association runs a number of hostels. The redevelopment of the Pak Sha O hostel was completed early in the year at a cost of over $2.4 million. The hostel, with ac- commodation for over 100 members, is situated in one of the most attractive areas of the Sai Kung Country Park, and quickly proved popular. The association operates a second hostel in the country park, Bradbury Hall near Chek Keng, and is considering the prospects of building a third, at Sai Wan Tsui.
Running costs are covered by membership fees and overnight charges for use of the hostels. Capital expenditure is met by the association's own fund-raising activities and by grants from charitable institutions. Hostel sites are provided by the government.
Outward Bound School
The Hong Kong Outward Bound School is a private registered charity and part of an international network of 34 schools. It provides year round stress-challenge personal development programmes. These programmes last from seven to 18 days. They take place on the school's training ship, the brigantine Ji Fung. The ship accommodates 40 trainees and undertakes voyages as far afield as the Philippines, Hainan and Japan. The remainder of the courses operate from a residential base on the Sai Kung peninsula. This base has a capacity for up to 75 trainees per month.
The purpose of each course is to provide for the individual a carefully structured but demanding physical and mental experience which combined with careful counselling, is aimed at improving self confidence, personal awareness of strengths and weaknesses, improving leadership, communication and decision making skills.
Throughout the year the school operates 40 courses for adults. The majority of places on these courses are taken by corporations and businesses who use Outward Bound as part of their investment in staff development. The school also ran 42 team building courses for
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