ENG-1990 — Page 398

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

In recent years there has been a growing recognition by corporations that these courses are an effective team-building and training strategy for older adults, resulting in a con- tinuous increase in the demand for ‘adult challenge' and 'contract' courses.

Training is held on the school's twin-masted training ship, the brigantine Ji Fung (Spirit of Resolution), and from the residential base in Tai Mong Tsai, Sai Kung. A new annex, the Sir Murray MacLehose Training Base, situated at Double Haven in Mirs Bay, was officially opened by the Governor in June 1990. This new facility enables the school to further diversify its courses, including a seven-day Youth Adventure and a 10-day Team Building course.

The purpose of each course is to improve the trainees' self-confidence, resourcefulness, leadership, communication skills and personal effectiveness. Trainees include employees of major corporations and smaller businesses, senior government officers, teachers, social workers, students, young people, as well as the handicapped and socially deprived.

In 1990, the school celebrated its 20th year in Hong Kong by operating a record- breaking 150 courses from the land bases and the Ji Fung for over 3 500 trainees, and for more than 29 000 trainee programme days.

The school conducted an international course which took the 'Ji Fung' to El Nido in the Philippines and back, a 1 820-mile voyage across the South China Sea.

Future plans include the development of a new site in Ah Kung Wan, an additional 36-bed self-sustaining facility and participation in the International Outward Bound Conference to be held in Wales in 1991, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the worldwide organisation.

Adventure Ship

The Adventure Ship Huan has been providing underprivileged and handicapped young people in Hong Kong with skill and character training for 13 years. Since 1977, about 55 000 young people have benefited from Adventure Ship programmes. In 1990 some 5 700 youths took part.

Huan is a 27.5 metre, three-masted Chinese junk, one of the largest sailing junks in the world.

Adventure Ship Limited is a registered charity largely supported by the Community Chest and the Jockey Club. Volunteers provide their services free to the organisation enabling training activities to be provided at a fraction of their real cost. As a result, thousands of young people are able to participate in activities which, otherwise, they could not afford.

Youth Hostels

The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association is a registered charity which is able to provide outdoor leisure opportunities for all age groups but especially those between 18 and 26 years.

During 1990, the hostel at Nim Wan was closed due to a major housing project and the one at Plover Cove is being rebuilt with the aid of a grant from the Bradbury Trust. There are now six operational hostels, away from the urban areas and mostly in scenic places, serving the association's 30 000 members. All hostels have resident wardens and overnight charges are minimised by a self-help programme in which cleaning and minor maintenance is done by users of the hostels and volunteer groups.

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