ENG-1996 — Page 469

RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS

Adventure Ship

The Adventure Ship Project has operated in Hong Kong for 19 years. It is a registered charity which maintains the 27.5 metre Chinese sailing junk, Huan, providing nautical training trips for underprivileged and handicapped children. The project is mainly funded by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (Charities) Ltd.

Each year, more than 6 000 young people from child and youth centres, institutions for the handicapped, outreach teams and schools benefit from these programmes. The training programmes consist of day trips or overnight trips (up to three days and two nights). The vessel 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 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 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 discovering the beautiful scenery of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association

The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) is a long-established non- profit-making voluntary organisation that receives no government subsidies. It is a member of the very popular International Youth Hostel Federation which has a global network of around 5 000 youth hostels in over 60 countries.

The association is managed by an executive committee comprising respectable personalities in the local community. Currently it runs seven youth hostels in various scenic locations: Ma Wui Hall in Mt. Davis, Hong Kong Island; Bradbury Lodge in Tai Mei 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 at Ngong Ping and Jockey Club Mong Tung Wan Hostel.

Through the provision of very modestly priced, clean and comfortable hostel. accommodation, the HKYHA offers Hong Kong people with leisure opportunities both within the territory and overseas. It aims to promote love and care for the countryside among the young and the young-at-heart. It also aims to promote better understanding of different cultures through the global network of the International Youth Hostel Federation. HKYHA members are entitled to use the federation's more than 5 000 hostels world-wide.

The HKYHA saw another year of progress in 1996. In order to improve hostel facilities in a more effective and systematic way, a buildings sub-committee was set up in the year to oversee buildings and maintenance works.

Major hostel improvement projects completed last year include: the installation of air-conditioners and locker facilities at hostels, the erection of road signs at key

369