“Imagine a place where digital technology meets creative culture.” That’s the HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp. This camp offers innovative sports for young people. The Hong Kong Award for Young People owns this campsite. It also owns the Jockey Club Expeditions Centre. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award established the HKAYP in Hong Kong in 1961.
Located in Tai Po, the HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp provides a unique learning environment. It integrates digital technology with creative culture. Innovative sports are also a key feature. The campsite breaks traditional stereotypes. It merges new energy-saving and environmental protection elements.
The HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp redevelopment in 2020 marked a milestone. New technologies were incorporated into training programs. Augmented reality sports became a highlight. Emerging sports like HADO AR Dodgeball and AR Climbing were introduced.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust generously supported the camp’s reconstruction. The completion of the camp marked a milestone. The HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp nearly grew five times. It now covers 5646 square meters. The camp can accommodate 177 residential campers and 200-day campers. There are 15 residential rooms available. The adventure rope course offers 31 challenges.
The campsite achieved the Silver Rating of Final Assessment under BEAM Plus. It also won the CLP Smart Energy Award 2020. This was for its conservation of materials and energy. This covered the design, construction, operations and maintenance of the building.
Notably, the HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp features solar panels. 71 solar panels generate power for the camp. Their system has a capacity of 24.2 kWp. In its first year, it generated 14646 kWh of power. This is sufficient to supply power for 36 households each month. Flexible solar panels are lighter and thinner than traditional panels.
The BBQ court features solar tables. Solar panels inside the tables convert sunlight into power. The power feeds into the electricity grid during the day. At night, the tables are used to place BBQ food. A solar-powered CCTV is installed on the roof. The panel has a battery for operation at night. It also works when the sky is cloudy.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club supported the reconstruction of the HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp. They donated over HK$203 million from its Charities Trust. The new campsite has enhanced facilities. It is more energy efficient. More young people can benefit from youth development programs.
The HKAYP Jockey Club Duke of Edinburgh Training Camp first set up in 1985. The Club supported it back then. It is widely used for camping by the public. It also serves as a training ground for HKAYP programs.