ENG-2016 — Page 379

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

yacht named the Spirit of Outward Bound, a world-class rope course and a fleet of sea kayaks and ketches. All the resources are checked regularly and maintained according to international safety standards.

The organisation 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. Hong Kong residents are eligible for courses subsidised by the government's Continuing Education Fund, which covers up to 80 per cent of the course fees. These programmes help individuals become more confident and effective in the workplace and better equipped to handle challenges in their careers.

OBHK's corporate department, Outward Bound Professional, works directly with companies to design courses that help their staff become more resilient, communicative, cohesive and innovative, ultimately benefiting the company itself. OBHK also works with schools, colleges, universities and charities to devise courses to help their students become caring and competent leaders.

Adventure-Ship

Adventure-Ship, a registered charity established in 1977, is the first charitable programme of its kind in Hong Kong. It operates Jockey Club Huan, a 34.5-metre sailing junk which provides educational training and recreation at sea for young people. Funded mainly by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Adventure-Ship is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

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.

About 10,000 young people benefit from the programme each year. The junk plies within Hong Kong waters, and each training trip lasts one to three days. The training regime has been. designed carefully 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 is a non-profit-making organisation providing safe, good-quality and affordable hostel accommodation. It aims to encourage young people to embrace nature through outdoor activities and appreciate different cultures via the hostelling experience and international exchange programmes.

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