RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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Summer Youth Programme
Every year, the territory-wide Summer Youth Programme is organised for children and youths aged between 6 and 25. Recreational and educational programmes as well as social service activities help them to develop their skills, appreciate inter-human relationships, get to know the community in which they live and enhance their sense of responsibility to the community.
In 1990, the central theme was 'Share the Fun, Serve the Community', and was officially launched on June 30. About 12 500 activities were organised and 1.8 million young people took part in the programme between July and September. Over $26 million, of which $11 million was donated by the Jockey Club, was spent on the programme. The balance was made up by the government, district boards, the Urban Council, Regional Council, private donations and participants' fees. 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 programme, advising on the appropriation of funds and implementation of the various activities. District Co-ordinating Committees are responsible for the planning, imple- mentation and allocation of funds for district activities.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is Asia's largest oceanarium and fun park, located on the south side of Hong Kong Island overlooking the South China Sea. Its latest attraction, a $40 million Shark Aquarium with an underwater viewing tunnel, holds more than 150 sharks comprising 25 different species.
During the year more than two million visitors visited Ocean Park, Water World and the newly-opened Middle Kingdom.
Middle Kingdom is a walk through 5 000 years of Chinese history with temples and shrines, pavilions, pagodas and palaces. There are demonstrations of crafts by skilled artisans, lion dances, acrobatics and cultural dances.
Ocean Park comprises the headland and lowland areas, linked by a cable car system. Access to the headland may also be made by means of the world's longest covered outdoor escalator from Tai Shue Wan.
The park's attractions include six 'thrill rides', with one of the longest and fastest roller coasters in the world. There is also the Ocean Theatre, featuring killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and a high diving show. Other attractions are the Wave Cove with sea lions, seals and penguins and the Atoll Reef, one of the world's largest aquaria.
In the lowland area Water World, the first water playpark of its kind in Asia, provides summer visitors with a variety of water activities. There is also a golden pagoda housing over 100 species of goldfish, Cine 2000, a greenhouse complex, Butterfly House with some 1 500 butterflies, and Children's Adventure World.
The aviary in Tai Shue Wan is home to more than 2 000 birds, representing 150 species, and has a bird theatre, parrot garden and flamingoes.
Outward Bound School
The Hong Kong Outward Bound School is a private registered charity of a worldwide network of 35 such schools, providing land and sea-based training programmes for personal and professional development.