ENG-1957 — Page 248

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

normally associated with this title in the United Kingdom. Particular emphasis is laid on those activities which are directed towards character formation, so that club members. can face the difficulties, trials and temptations of city life and overcome them with reasonable success. Home visits to members' families are a very important part of the club leader's job. This contact with parents helps the leader to have a better understanding of his club members, and often throws light on some of the members' needs and interests.

The voluntary organization which is the recognized body for co-ordinating club work for young people is the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, with a membership of 6,500 boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 18 years in 139 clubs, which are either run directly by the Association or are affiliated to it, as in the case of 23 clubs sponsored by the Youth Welfare Section of the Social Welfare Office. During 1957 the Association arranged a series of inter-club competitions in singing, dancing, music and drama, whilst a ̄Prizewinners' Concert took place in January. Scouting and Guiding for club children continue to expand, and there are now several scout troops, cub packs, guide com- panies and brownie packs attached to clubs.

The Hong Kong Scouts and Guides were represented respectively at the Jubilee Jamboree and the Centenary World Camp held in England during the summer in com- memoration of the centenary of the birth of Lord Baden- Powell. The Boy Scouts also held a very successful local Jamborette, and the Girl Guides sent a contingent to the Regional Centenary World Camp in Manila.

The provision of recreational facilities for young people is another important feature of the work of youth organiza- tions. The Mobile Library, a gift from the Hong Kong Junior Chamber of Commerce to the Social Welfare Office, continues to serve non-school children in the New Territories and in the Resettlement Estates. During the year over 3,200 children from poor families spent a week's holiday at