THE BACKYARD GANG
Founded in 2017
Our Story
After working together in the education sector for 5 years, we came to the realisation that kids in Hong Kong were spending too much time indoors on screens and outdoor play options were limited. Having both spent the majority of our childhoods outside in the UK countryside - building dens, playing in the rain, making mud pies (you name it, we did it!) we wanted to offer the kids here in Hong Kong the chance to create similar childhood memories for themselves.
The Backyard Gang was created in 2017 after a wonderful group of ‘founding families’ put their trust in a new style of outdoor education and play. Since day one, we have documented every single adventure and now have a truly unique 8 year curriculum filled with over 400 fun and engaging sessions. As word spread, we then searched the world high and low to find the most amazing team who continue to add their own ideas, inspiring the development of our ever growing curriculum, ready for hundreds more Backyard Gang members to experience and enjoy.
We truly hope you like what we are aspiring to achieve!
Our Curriculum
Staying true to our roots, all of our sessions are planned around one of the 4 elements and all of the awesome things we can learn from them. Our sessions provide the opportunity to develop important life skills through experiential hands on learning. Although we set clear objectives and goals for every session, how we achieve them is dependent on an array of external factors (weather, wildlife, kids' interests and so many more), all of which the team embraces.
Our curriculum is also filled with 'BYG Specials' which include wood workshops, night hikes, global events and seasonal celebrations throughout the year.
EARTH
It is our world, let’s learn how to use it, enjoy it and look after it.
WIND
From climate to science and navigation, there is so much we can learn from this awesome element.
WATER
Learn how to be safe around water and all the wonderful things we can do with it.
FIRE
An essential and mesmerising element. Play safe, cook safe and be aware.
Our Pillars of learning
Our Pillars of learning are the principles we use when planning our activities, they allow us to have clear goals, but also allow flexibility for child led learning. These help build confidence and ensure enjoyment, while still allowing us to offer engaging activities with clear guidelines that foster natural learning through play.
EXPLORE
We strive to create an environment that allows all our Gang members to EXPLORE the outdoors and all the wonderful things that we can do in ‘Our Backyard’.
DISCOVER
Each week there is something new to discover, whether it is a new insect we haven’t met yet, trails we haven’t walked yet or DISCOVERING new things about ourselves and our new found friends.
BE CURIOUS
We actively encourage the Gang members to engage their awesome young minds, to ask questions and to BE CURIOUS about their surroundings and the challenges that we face.
CREATE
Our Gang members are always CREATING. This is not just about creating a raft that floats, or a candle that burns brightly, but also about creating a sense of belonging and childhood memories that will last forever.
Meet the team
With 100+ collective years working with kids, we couldn’t be more excited to follow our dreams and share our love of education and play...
Our wonderful team of educators have switched the walls of the classroom for the boundary free outdoors and continue to work hard to create the perfect outdoor learning environment for kids here in Hong Kong. All from different backgrounds, the team bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and energy, which enables them to engage kids of all ages and abilities through our unique teaching style.
You can expect to see at least two of these familiar faces at any of our weekly after school programmes or holiday camps.
Ty
I moved to this wonderful city at age 4, after spending my earliest years barefoot, climbing trees and running around on the plains of South Africa. On arriving in HK and not wanting to lose our connection to nature, my family decided to live on a Houseboat, which is where we settled for the next 15 years – so grateful that I was able to wake up on the ocean every morning!
My curious nature and love for traveling gave me the opportunity to study in the United States where I received my Bachelor of Education. On returning to Hong Kong I searched high and low for a workplace that felt like home- then I found Backyard Gang! My first day with the team brought me straight back to my childhood! The fact that I can relive some of my fondest memories and be privileged to share these with so many little people everyday is an absolute dream.
As BYG Team Manager, I'd like to introduce our awesome team below...
Can’t wait to meet you!
Matt
Growing up in the beautiful Rangitikei region in New Zealand, my childhood was spent seeking adventures on my family’s dairy farm. With my father’s strict policy of ‘not being inside unless it was dark’, my brothers and I spent every spare moment (when we weren’t helping on the farm milking cows and shearing sheep) in the streams and native bush – building huts, climbing trees and making up games.
I relocated to Hong Kong in 2009 with the idea of staying for a few months but, like so many, I quickly fell in love with the city and spent the next ten years or so teaching in International Primary Schools (and meeting my now wife). In 2019 I stepped away from the classroom to work as a consultant, specialising in curriculum development and splitting my time between Hong Kong and NZ. With the pending arrival of my first baby girl, I made the easy decision to once again be based in Hong Kong and was lucky enough to discover The Backyard Gang, enabling me to combine my two passions of education and the great outdoors.
As Head of BYG’s Ed Services, I am incredibly driven to provide our unique teaching methodology to students across Hong Kong and get them outside learning through play the BYG way!
Annie
Growing up in a small coastal town (without traffic lights) near Melbourne, the great outdoors has always been a huge part of my life. My primary school had its own wetlands which we were encouraged to explore and our family holidays were spent camping, surfing, and trekking to new places in Australia.
After university, I spent a year designing, developing and delivering holistic education programmes in Aus before deciding to see what the wider world has to offer. In 2022, I bought a one-way ticket, hopped on a plane and have backpacked through over 25 countries since.
In 2023, I found myself in HK and stumbled across The Backyard Gang, which has me hooked! At BYG, I can merge my love of nature, new experiences and FUN every single day - we have such a unique opportunity to share some of the wonders of the world with our future superstars.
I can't wait to meet you all, and feel so lucky to be able to create special memories in a such a special place!
Tiff
Born and raised in Hong Kong, I've always maintained a deep curiosity about the city, enjoying exploring all that it has to offer. But after completing my studies in the UK, my passion for travel really took off.
I spent time in Colombia, working as a translator, and later moved to Russia to immerse myself in the language and culture. Upon returning to Hong Kong, I put my skills to use as a video producer at a local newspaper. But the call of exploration continued, and I found myself living in Egypt and Turkey for several years. During this time, I had the privilege of living among artists and also spent time on farms, learning about permaculture and self-sustaining communities.
I once thought I couldn't be tied down, but since meeting The Backyard Gang, I knew I was looking at something very special. I’m grateful to be able to work with children, learn from them and allow my inner child to thrive. Everything is sincerely as much fun for us as it is for kids, I only wish I could’ve gone to The Backyard Gang when I was younger. I’m excited to be developing a bilingual programme at BYG where I can put my language skills to use - I’ve hit the jackpot! What can I say?
Kyle
Growing up in the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa, my childhood was filled with adventure - whether that was hiking through the stunning mountain ranges or simply exploring the urban landscapes of my coastal hometown. This deep connection to the outdoors has remained a core part of who I am.
After completing my BCom in Marketing and Management Science, I decided to venture beyond the shores of South Africa, taking my passion for learning and helping others to France for a few years. There, I discovered my love for cross-cultural connections and reignited my passion for adventure.
Now settled in the dynamic city of Hong Kong, I'm thrilled to have discovered the Backyard Gang team. I'm eager to combine my experience with my true calling - coaching and mentoring young people. Whether it's with the wider Hong Kong Scottish rugby community, or immersed in the nature-based programmes here at BYG, I'm driven to help the kids grasp their goals and build their confidence.
In my free time, you'll find me playing rugby or cricket, exploring our vibrant city, or enjoying a catch-up with friends. I can't wait to meet you all and dive into this exciting new chapter with The Backyard Gang!
Clara
Having moved to Hong Kong at the age of 4, the majority of my childhood was spent outdoors exploring the incredible island of Lantau with my friends and trusty dog, Goldie. When we weren’t at the pool, climbing trees or riding our scooters, you’d likely find us setting up lemonade stands or trying desperately to master the art of skipping rope.
Upon completing my Bachelor’s in London, I returned to Hong Kong in search of a workplace where I could combine my love for creativity and learning to do something meaningful. After working as a kindergarten teacher and an art teacher, studying courses in ecology, evolutionary biology and wildlife conservation along the way, I stumbled across The Backyard Gang! I really love how kids are encouraged to be curious and explore the environment through play, as it fosters a genuine, life-long interest in learning. They teach me something new every day!
Emma
Hong Kong has now been home for over half my life – I love it! The mountains, the beaches, the ocean – I am forever exploring our wonderful city. Always one for a new adventure, I’ve trekked across Iceland, NZ, to Machu Picchu and up Kilimanjaro (not to mention across the whole of HK too!)
When Chris first floated the idea of setting up the Backyard Gang, it filled me with excitement – a great chance to re-create all the memories from our own childhoods, and pass them on to the kids here in HK! I’m so proud of what we’ve already built and super excited to see where else we can go with it.
Chris
Growing up in West Sussex, UK was very different to our life here in HK. I’m the second of 4 kids and spent the majority of my youth either outside exploring, in the pool or on a bike and generally trying to stay out of mischief. I moved to Hong Kong in 2003 and met my wife soon after. We now have three amazing little humans - Jack, Georgia and Jessie who are just awesome! I am so fortunate to call Hong Kong my home, first as an expat and now integrated into a Chinese family all of my own.
The opportunities in our country are boundless and I’m so lucky to be able share these with every kid (and adult) that I meet through our programmes. I truly hope you like what we have created and that we can add value to your lives too.
