A specialist outdoor adventure camp last year left eight-year-old Michael Ma tired, dirty, happy - and better able to cope with life.
Michael has attention deficit disorder and his mother, Katrina Ma, has no doubts that sending him on the Growth Through Outdoor Adventure Learning (GOAL) camp was a positive way for him to use his high energy levels. It also enabled him to bond with several other children - unusual for him.
'It makes them feel good to get out and do active things,' she said. 'Working together as a team to do things was strongly emphasised and also getting things done for themselves. They cook their own food and make their own sleeping arrangements.'
While many summer courses are aimed at pushing children academically, GOAL camps at Sai Kung and Cheung Chau are designed to build self-esteem in those with difficulties, from shyness and phobias to attention deficit disorder - needs often overlooked.
They involve activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, abseiling and jumping from a 10-metre platform to a swinging trapeze. And this year, one group will add sailing, snorkelling, stargazing, jungle trekking and more with a sail training voyage around the Malaysian islands scheduled for July.
Each programme is tailored to the needs of the particular children attending by GOAL's clinical director, psychologist Dr Jadis Blurton, who is also clinical director of Therapy Associates.
For example, participants in a camp where one of the children had trouble winding down, all learned a fun relaxation technique. Children who were starved of positive feedback at school often developed 'learned helplessness', she said. 'When they are out doing these insanely scary things, they come back glowing with self-confidence,' Dr Blurton said.
