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RECREATION AND THE ARTS
Summer Youth Programme
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The Summer Youth Programme is a territory-wide project organised annually during the summer months for children and youth aged between six and 25. It consists of recreational and educational programmes as well as social service activities.
The central theme for the 1988 programme was 'Share the Fun, Serve the Community', and this was officially launched on July 1. About 12 000 activities were organised and 1.5 million young people took part in the programme between July and September. Over $20 million, of which nearly $9 million was donated by the Jockey Club was spent on the programme. The balance was made up by assistance from the government, district boards, the Urban Council, private donations and participants' fees. The Jockey Club also donated another $3 million for the setting up of permanent recreational facilities for young people. Ten outstanding volunteers were awarded Outward Bound Scholarships and attended an 18-day course on board the vessel Ji Fung.
The Summer Youth Programme Committee is responsible for co-ordinating the pro- gramme, advising on the appropriation of funds for the programme and the imple- mentation of the various activities. The District Co-ordinating Committees are responsible for the planning, implementation and allocation of funds for district activities.
Youth Hostels
The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association is a registered charity providing outdoor leisure opportunities for young people, particularly for the 18 to 26 age group.
During the year, the management of the association was restructured with the aim of becoming more responsive to the needs and aspirations of modern youth. The association is targeting itself more towards the types of activities which will attract greater numbers of Hong Kong's young people to know, love and care for the countryside environment. The provision of these attractions will require extra funding as well as the costs of the enhanced management.
The association runs a chain of eight hostels in Hong Kong, away from the urban areas and mostly situated in beautifully scenic places. Although three of the hostels are old buildings converted for use, the others are purpose-built and two have won architectural awards for design excellence.
Recent expenses of the association are met by membership fees and overnight charges. Membership also entitles holders to make use of over 5 000 youth hostels around the world: many members use this facility to travel widely, economically and safely.
Culture Division
The Culture Division of the Municipal Services Branch is responsible for the formulation and coordination of government's policies on culture, including the performing and visual arts and monuments and libraries. With the advice of the Council for the Performing Arts, it administers the disbursement of government subsidies through a block vote to various performing arts organisations and individuals, and generally caters to the aspirations of the arts scene in Hong Kong.
The division also runs the Books Registration Office and the Antiquities and Monuments Office, and provides secretariat service to the Council for the Performing Arts as well as the Antiquities Advisory Board.
Council for the Performing Arts
The Council for the Performing Arts was established in 1982 to advise the government on the development and needs of performing arts in Hong Kong. There are at present six