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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

settings. Programmes are designed to foster confidence, responsibility, leadership, teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving and social responsibility. The organisation utilises challenges in the outdoors to help participants gain insights and skills that can be applied to work and everyday situations. In 2017, about 6,000 people joined its programmes in Hong Kong.

OBHK is a not-for-profit organisation based in Sai Kung, with its headquarters located at Tai Mong Tsai and an island base on Wong Wan Chau. Its facilities include a 67-foot sail training yacht named Spirit of Outward Bound Hong Kong, a world-class challenge ropes course and a fleet of expedition sea kayaks and open-rigged sailing ketches. All the resources are checked regularly and maintained according to international safety standards.

The organisation's public courses cater to people of different ages and needs, taking participants to remote and scenic areas of Hong Kong that most are unaware exist. Hong Kong residents can reclaim up to 80 per cent of the fees of programmes subsidised by the government's Continuing Education Fund. These programmes help individuals become more confident and effective, equipped to handle daily challenges in their lives and careers.

OBHK's corporate department, Outward Bound Professional, works with companies to design programmes that help their staff become more resilient, communicative, cohesive and innovative, ultimately benefiting the company itself, Programmes are also devised with schools, colleges, universities and charities to help their students become high-performing and competent leaders.

Adventure-Ship

Adventure-Ship, a charity registered in 1977, provides educational training and recreation at sea for young people on board a sailing junk called the Jockey Club Huan, in the first charitable programme of its kind in Hong Kong. The charity promotes personal development with its theme of 'learning by experience! It is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and is funded mainly by the Community Chest and Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

All young people above the age of nine are welcome to join the programme, but preference is given to disabled and underprivileged youths. About 10,000 people take part each year.

The 34.5-metre aluminium-hulled, three-masted, traditional-rig Jockey Club Huan accommodates up to 60 people. She is equipped with modern navigational devices in addition to various amenities and barrier-free training facilities tailored for trainees with disabilities.

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 be self-reliant. The exercises also foster camaraderie and team spirit.

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