Youth development is one of the areas of strategic charity focus for The Hong Kong Jockey Club. To help young people discover their abilities and unleash their potential, the Club supported the reconstruction of The Hong Kong Award For Young People Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp (the Campsite) in Tai Po with approved donations of over HK$203 million from its Charities Trust.

The Club’s support for the new Campsite, which can accommodate more users, has enhanced facilities and is more energy efficient, will allow more young people to benefit from the youth development programmes of the Hong Kong Award For Young People (HKAYP) through adventure and training. This is in line with the Club’s commitment to fostering positive development among young people.

A ceremony was held today (27 March) to mark the reopening. The officiating guests included Club Deputy Chairman Michael Lee, HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui, HKAYP Award Council Chairman Lo Yan-lai and HKAYP Honorary President & Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation Rock Chen.

Mr Lee said the Club has supported a number of HKAYP projects since the 60’s, including the building of the Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp. “This camp has provided camping facilities to young people and families, and offered various diverse training activities. He added: “As one of the world’s top ten charity donors, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has initiated and supports various kinds of youth development projects through multi-sector collaboration. It helps cultivate an environment conducive to youth development, encouraging diverse talents and equipping young people for the future.”

Support for the project, as for all of the Club’s community initiatives, was made possible through its unique integrated business model. It is through this model that the Club maintains its tax and charity support for Hong Kong, contributing to the betterment of our society.

Together with the new Campsite, the Club is supporting two innovative training programmes: The Jockey Club Diversity Mentoring Youth Project to help marginal youth face challenges in life through the sharing of experiences by disabled mentors; and The Jockey Club “Camily” Project to help parents and children recognise their roles in families. Both pilot programmes will run for three years.

The redevelopment represents an extension of the long-standing partnership between the Club and the HKAYP, formerly known as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, to help young people develop essential life skills and cultivate their perseverance. The Campsite was first set up in 1985 with Club support and is widely used for camping by the public and as a training ground for HKAYP programmes.

The 5,646 square metre redeveloped complex is nearly five times larger than before, capable of supporting 177 residential camps and 200 day camps. The newly constructed three-level main building has 15 residential rooms; a large canteen; an indoor hall; activity rooms; and an all-weather rope course. It also integrates digital technology to support programmes with innovative sports, such as augmented reality dodgeball and augmented reality climbing.

The Campsite facilities are barrier-free and suitable for the disabled. It was also awarded the BEAM Plus Provisional Silver level for adopting a sustainable development approach in the design, construction, operations and maintenance of the building.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2019/20, the Club contributed HK$19.9 billion in duty and profits tax and HK$0.8 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.5 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.