By Miriam Zhang
The People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison opened its barracks to 500 teenagers on Monday – launching its annual summer camp for young people.
The enthusiastic youngsters came from 138 secondary schools, with 200 of the participants drawn from Secondary 1 and 2 classes – the first time students from these age groups have been admitted.
The 15-day program at the PLA Hong Kong Garrison’s San Wai Barracks offers young people a chance to experience military life. They will receive training including drill formation, basic combat skills and long-distance marching.
Organized by the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, the summer camp aims to improve young people’s understanding of national security and expand their knowledge of the nation’s military forces.
They will also learn discipline, team work and perseverance, the organizer said.
So Mei-wan, from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Li Ka-shing College, was one of this year’s participants.
So said she joined the camp because she loves the country. “I feel proud of the PLA, and wanted to learn discipline and self-management,” she explained.
She encouraged fellow participants to make good use of this opportunity and do their best during the training.
The annual summer camp has been running since 2005. More than 3,700 Hong Kong young people have taken part.