RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
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through 5 000 years of Chinese history, and Water World provides great splashing fun during the summer.
In 1991, the park unveiled a long-term development plan to add new attractions, upgrade existing facilities and improve guest services. The summer of 1996 witnessed the addition of the high-tech Film Fantasia simulator ride to offer guests an unforgettable multi-sensory simulation experience.
Ocean Park's commitment to conservation was further realised by the inauguration of its Conservation Square and the Signature Brick Programme in January to solicit support for the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, which was set up to co- ordinate regional efforts in the conservation of endangered whales and dolphins.
Hong Kong Outward Bound School
The Outward Bound Trust of Hong Kong Limited is a registered charity and part of a world-wide network of more than 40 schools, providing adventure-based training programmes for personal and professional development in an outdoor environment on land and sea.
Outward Bound is about building the type of character a person needs for the adventure of life. By bringing people face to face with unfamiliar surroundings and working together in close-knit teams, Outward Bound" allows people to develop skills they need in everyday life but can't learn from books such as communication, problem-solving, leadership, team work, and decision-making.
Besides open courses for the general public, special programmes are run for the handicapped, socially-deprived people and juvenile delinquents as well as employees of major corporations, the government and various other organisations.
With the commitment of $1.6 million in 1996-97 from the Broadcasting, Culture and Sport Branch to provide bursary support for needy youth, the school was able to stabilise and increase its ability to encourage families with limited financial resources and difficult social circumstances to participate in Outward Bound training.
The Wing Fung and Yat Fung, a new generation of sailing boats, better known as 'luggers', have secured sponsorships of $360,000 each from the Swire Group Charitable Trust and Duty Free Shoppers Charitable Trust respectively. These two boats, which are the world's only examples of their kind, are extremely safe and simple to sail.
In May, the 132-foot brigantine Ji Fung became the first sailing ship to sail on the Brunei River since 1911. The Britannia's visit in the 1970s with Queen Elizabeth on board was the last time a larger ship had called.
The main purpose for the visit was to support the involvement of Brunei Shell Tankers Sendiran Berhad and the Brunei Navy in Outward Bound training. Other reasons included raising the Outward Bound profile in South-East Asia; increasing media exposure for Outward Bound Brunei and Outward Bound Hong Kong; developing new markets for the Hong Kong school; and providing trainees of the International Diploma course with a rich cultural exchange experience.
Though the 'royal' visit is over, it is hoped that Ji Fung will continue to serve the interests of Outward Bound to her best ability and to act as its ambassador locally, regionally, or internationally.