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RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
offered. The training consists of day or overnight trips (up to three days and two nights) within the waters of Hong Kong. The ship can accommodate 60 youngsters on day trips and 50 on overnight voyages.
'Disciplined Entertainment' is the main theme of the training. Once on board, participants are regarded as members of the ship's crew and take part in the operational routines. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they are trained to face new challenges and participate in team spirit building activities.
The training programmes have been devised to cope with various weather conditions and the special requirements of children of different aptitudes and backgrounds. The Adventure Ship project has created new horizons for many thousands of young people, enabling them to enrich their experience while visiting and discovering the beautiful scenery in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association
The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) was established in 1973. Over the past 26 years, it has been committed to promoting love and care for the countryside by providing budget, but clean and comfortable, accommodation in scenic rural parts of Hong Kong. By issuing an internationally recognised membership, the HKYHA also promotes cultural exchange by means of travel. HKYHA membership entitles members to use facilities of more than 4 500 youth hostels in over 60 countries.
As at the end of 1999, around 30 000 individual members and 500 organisation members were enrolled with the association.
The HKYHA is a non-profit-making, non-political and non-religious organisation affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Federation. The association provides facilities and services to all irrespective of race, creed or gender. It is managed by an Executive Committee comprising responsible and enthusiastic personalities in the local community. Being a non-government-subvented charity, the association is entirely dependent upon the support of members and well wishers for its day to day financial health.
The association runs seven youth hostels in Hong Kong: Ma Wui Hall in Mount Davis, Hong Kong Island; Bradbury Lodge in Tai Mek Tuk, North-East New Territories; Bradbury Hall in Chek Keng, Sai Kung Country Park; Pak Sha O Youth Hostel in Pak Sha O, Sai Kung; Sze Lok Yuen in Tai Mo Shan; and, on Lantau Island, the S G Davis Hostel in Ngong Ping and the Jockey Club Mong Tung Wan Hostel in Mong Tung Wan, Chi Ma Wan Peninsula.
Upgrading hostel facilities was the core focus in 1999. An extension wing was being built at Ma Wui Hall (to be renamed as the Jockey Club Mt Davis Youth Hostel on completion of the construction) with the generous support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Renovation works were also being undertaken at Pak Sha O Youth Hostel and Sze Lok Yuen, which were, again, made possible with donations from charity funds. A flag day was held on December 29 to raise funds for other necessary repairs and maintenance of the seven hostels.
The association's volunteer services group organised a variety of hiking and outdoor activities during the year. In addition, workshops on mountain emergency