ENG-1988 — Page 356

RECREATION AND THE ARTS

Outward Bound School

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Hong Kong Outward Bound School experienced a year of rapid growth and heigh- tened activity, both in the courses it offers and in the upgrading of its facilities to meet greater use.

One of the more noticeable features has been the growing recognition by corporations that the Outward Bound School is also an effective team-building and training strategy for the older adults, resulting in a marked increase in the popularity of its ‘adult challenge' and 'contract courses'.

Outward Bound School is a private registered charity of a world-wide network of such schools, providing year-round land and sea-based stress-challenge personal development training programmes over seven to 18 days.

The training is held on the school's training ship, the brigantine Ji Fung (Spirit of Resolution), and from the residential base in Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung.

The purpose of each course is to improve the trainees' self-confidence, self-awareness, resourcefulness, leadership and communication skills. Trainees include an ever-increasing number of employees of corporations and businesses who use Outward Bound as part of their staff development programmes, as well as students and young people, including the handicapped.

During the year, more than 3 100 trainees passed through some 120 courses, exceeding expectations.

Income also was better than expected, as was the fund-raising drive. With the engage- ment of a full-time marketing and public relations manager, the school launched an organised and systematic marketing effort. At the same time, it took over full responsibility for the administration and promotion of the Hong Kong Government's Scholarship Grant to the Outward Bound Trust, as well as other scholarship funds.

School facilities continue to be improved to meet greater use: several buildings have been remodelled and refitted, and additional facilities have been provided for training-equipment stores, food supplies and a staff common room.

High priority is given to the recruitment and training of local staff who have a good tertiary education, and three of these officers were sent to the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand for further training to enable them to handle the more demanding courses.

The school has also been promised a grant of $4.5 million by the Bradbury Trust which will go towards construction of buildings for staff quarters.

Adventure Ship

Adventure Ship Limited this year celebrated its tenth anniversary as a charity, operating the 90-foot, three masted junk, Huan for the benefit of underprivileged and handicapped youth. It has benefited tens of thousands of young people, and currently provides training and recreation for over 6 000 youths annually.

In 1988 the Huan took part in the Corum China Sea Race to Manila as a radio relay vessel, manned by trainees from the Adventure Ship Youth Association and young men from the Police Force.

The bulk of the charity's revenue comes from the Jockey Club and the Community Chest, together with various private companies. This enables most young people to enjoy training afloat at a fraction of its true cost, thereby benefiting those who would otherwise be unable to take part in such activities.