ENG-2012 — Page 413

Hong Kong Year Books 香港年報 All

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Recreation, Sport and the Arts

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. It also offers expeditions to 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's corporate department, Outward Bound Professional, works directly with corporate organisations to design courses that help their staff become more communicative, cohesive and innovative, benefiting the organisation itself ultimately.

OBHK 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 was established as a registered charity in 1977 and operates Jockey Club Huan, a 34.5-metre sailing junk which provides educational training and recreation at sea for young people. Adventure Ship is the first charitable programme of its kind in Hong Kong. It 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 with its theme of 'learning by experience, but preference is given to disabled and underprivileged youths.

Jockey Club Huan went into service in April 2006. The aluminium-hulled three-masted traditional-rig sailing junk can accommodate up to 60 people and is equipped with modern navigational devices in addition to a full range of amenities and various barriers-free training facilities tailored for trainees with disabilities.

Around 10,000 young people benefit from the programme each year. The junk plies within Hong Kong waters, and each training trip lasts between one and three days. The training regime has been carefully designed to cope with different weather conditions and the special needs of young people with different aptitudes and backgrounds. Guided by instructors, participants become members of the ship's supplementary crew and work alongside their peers, learning to face challenges and to be self-reliant. The exercises also foster camaraderie and team spirit.

Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association

The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) is a non-profit making organisation providing safe, quality, and affordable hostel accommodation in Hong Kong. Its primary aim is to encourage young people to participate in outdoor activities and promote travel and international exchange programmes.

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