420 Recreation, Sport and the Arts
help them learn essential life skills and reach their maximum potential. OBHK was recently accredited by the internationally renowned Association of Experiential Education, and is currently the first and only officially accredited experiential education organisation in Asia.
Outward Bound's mission is 'to help people discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings'. Courses are designed to foster confidence, responsibility, leadership, teamwork, creative thinking, problem-solving skills and social responsibility. The organisation uses challenges in the outdoors to help participants gain insights and skills that can be applied to work and real life situations. More than 8 000 people join Outward Bound's courses every year.
OBHK is based in Sai Kung, with headquarters at Tai Mong Tsai and an island base at Wong Wan Chau. They have a wide range of facilities and resources that include a 67-foot sail training yacht, the Spirit of Outward Bound, a world-class rope course as well as kayaks and ketches. All of OBHK's resources are checked regularly and maintained according to international safety standards.
OBHK offers public courses that cater to people of different ages and needs, taking participants to remote and scenic areas of Hong Kong that many people are unaware exist. Outward Bound also offers expeditions to exotic places in Taiwan, Japan, Sabah, the Philippines, Nepal and China.
Hong Kong residents are eligible for courses subsidised by the Government's Continuing Education Fund. With up to 80 per cent of the course fees covered by the fund, these programmes help individuals become more confident and effective in the work place and better equipped to handle challenges in their careers.
OBHK has a corporate department, Outward Bound Professional that works. directly with corporate organisations to design courses that help their staff become more communicative, cohesive and innovative, benefiting the organisation itself ultimately.
Outward Bound also works with schools, colleges, universities and various charitable organisations to devise courses to help their students, teachers and social workers become caring and competent leaders.
Adventure Ship
Adventure Ship is a registered charity that operates a 34.5-metre sailing junk, called Jockey Club Huan which provides educational training and recreation at sea for young people. Launched in 1977, Adventure Ship is the first charitable programme of its kind in Hong Kong. Adventure Ship is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and is funded mainly by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
All young people above the age of nine are welcome to join the programme, which promotes personal development, but preference is given to disabled and underprivileged youths.