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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Outward Bound Hong Kong

Outward Bound Hong Kong (OBHK) is a non-profit organisation providing personal development programmes for people to learn essential life skills and reach their maximum potential. It is accredited by the Association for Experiential Education, and as part of Outward Bound International, OBHK benefits from the network of over 35 schools around the world.

Outward Bound's mission is to help people discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings. Programmes are designed to foster confidence, responsibility, leadership, teamwork, creative thinking, problem solving, mental well-being and social responsibility. The organisation uses challenges in the outdoors to help participants gain insights and skills that can be applied to work and everyday situations. In 2019, over 6,000 people joined its programmes in Hong Kong.

OBHK is based in Sai Kung, with its headquarters located at Tai Mong Tsai and a remote island base on Wong Wan Chau. Its facilities include a 67-foot sail training yacht named the 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. More than 43 per cent of Outward Bound's students receive funding to join a course.

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 with schools, colleges, universities and charities help their students become resilient and compassionate 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, with preference given to disabled and underprivileged youths. About 10,000 people take part each year.

The 34.5m 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.

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