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 9 year curriculum filled with over 500 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!
Viva
Filipino-born and Hong Kong-raised, I’ve always had a strong sense of curiosity and a love for exploring the world around me. My adventurous spirit took root when I studied at Green School Bali during my high school days, where jungles, rivers, and ocean waves turned nature into my greatest teacher.
Growing up, I was lucky enough to take part in a variety of outdoor camps, including Outward Bound New Zealand, which deepened my passion for adventure & outdoor education. When I returned to Hong Kong, I worked as a sports coach before working in the trail running industry, supporting races and developing a deep appreciation for the landscapes, communities, and resilience built through time spent outside.
My life has always been shaped around movement and nature and during my free time, you can find me swimming in the ocean through summer, and mountain climbing all winter long. Young at heart, I’m thrilled to have found a new home at The Backyard Gang. I can’t wait to share my love for the outdoors, play, and adventure with you all and create unforgettable memories together.
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!
Yongyin
Growing up in the bustling cities of China, my early years were more about concrete jungles than actual ones. I moved to Canada for my studies and that’s where I gained a new found appreciation for the outdoors! Seeing the deep connection Indigenous communities held with the land completely transformed my perspective—so much so that I switched from studying Geography to Psychology to figure out how spending time in nature shapes who we are.
During my undergraduate years, I volunteered as a tutor at a local school, which ignited my passion for education. After graduating, I worked as a Maths and Chinese teacher at an educational institution in Macau, where I refined my skills in connecting with students and making learning meaningful, but I always felt something was missing: the freedom to teach beyond four walls.
When I found The Backyard Gang, it felt like all the pieces of the puzzle finally clicked together! Now, I get to bridge the gap between the classroom and the great outdoors every single day. I am so excited to guide our little explorers as they build their own resilience, curiosity, and a lifelong friendship with nature.
Griffin
Born in South Africa and raised in England, I’ve spent my life living barefoot and chasing outdoor adventures. My absolute happy place is on a surfboard in the ocean, a passion I built during endless summer surf trips to Cornwall, but you’ll just as easily find me hiking, diving, cycling, or climbing around too. Growing up, my summers were split between the coast of England and returning to South Africa for wild safaris and shark watching, both of which have sparked a lifelong respect for nature and wildlife.
Professionally, my journey has always been about connection, mentorship, and hands-on exploration. Before joining The Backyard Gang, I worked as an archaeologist, surf instructor, surf mentor, and special education support worker. These experiences taught me how to adapt to different learning styles, develop safe and inclusive environments, and empower young people of all abilities to gain confidence and push their boundaries.
For the past six years, I’ve been traveling the globe, discovering new landscapes and deepening my love for outdoor education. Now based in Hong Kong, finding The Backyard Gang felt like coming home and takes me straight back to my childhood!
I can’t wait to dive into new, fun adventures with our young explorers!
Rachel
Born in the United States and raised on a rescue horse farm, I spent my childhood playing in the woods climbing trees, building forts, and caring for animals and wildlife before studying fine arts and education. After graduating, and in search of endless adventure, I moved to Shanghai in 2019, teaching full-time as an art teacher in International Schools, where I quickly fell in love with this part of the world. In 2023, I relocated to Hong Kong, where I could exercise my love for the outdoors more often - I feel so lucky to have the coolest backyard in the world!
In my free time, I’m most likely hiking, camping, painting, or making music. I love to bring people together and I try to make sure that I have fun every single day.
As someone who values play, humour, and creativity so much in life, working with kids has always been a natural calling for me. They constantly make me laugh and remind me to stay forever curious, present, and enchanted in the world around us. It’s been incredible to join a team like the Backyard Gang, where we are all so passionate about play being a super-power in the great outdoors.
Additionally, as a part of the Ed-Services team, I’m so excited to fuse fresh and creative pedagogy into the playful landscape that makes BYG already so awesome.
Thanks for reading and can't wait to meet you!
Louie
Growing up on Lamma island in Hong Kong, my childhood was filled with exploration surrounded by nature, spending time with friends and capitalising on our freedom to roam free. My parents would often find me out in nature or playing sports and it’s these experiences that have definitely shaped the person I am today.
After studying in Hong Kong from primary through to secondary, I decided to head abroad to Newcastle where I gained a bachelor degree in Sports and Exercise Science. This is where I discovered my passion for working with kids and I quickly moved into various coaching and teaching roles…until I discovered The Backyard Gang! I am so happy that I've been able to combine my passion for teaching with my love of the outdoors. Immersing myself back into nature with the Gang has been so reminiscent of my childhood and I look forward to exploring and learning more every day.
In my spare time, you'll almost always find me on a football pitch, where I'm busy protecting the back of the net as a goalkeeper! Aside from that, I also love going on side quests with friends and taking advantage of the amazing city we live in!
Can't wait to meet you all soon!
Niamh
As a kid growing up in Dubai, I spent a lot of my childhood exploring the desert with my friends and family on the weekends. Whether it was BBQs, dune bashing, sitting around fires or even searching for scorpions, there was always something exciting to do! I loved the sense of adventure that came with growing up in Dubai, and some of my favourite memories are of those early morning drives to school, watching the sun rise over the desert.
Sport has always been a big part of my life - I tried nearly every sport growing up, but rugby quickly became a huge passion of mine. With two older brothers and a dad who all played rugby, I spent a lot of time following them to the local rugby club and running around after them. Eventually, I joined in myself and continued playing throughout school and university. I then went on to join Exeter Chiefs, where I played in the Women’s Premiership for three years, before moving to Hong Kong.
I’ve always loved being outdoors and surrounded by nature and since moving to Hong Kong, I’ve fallen in love with the city and everything it has to offer…from high-rises to the amazing county parks. I’m so excited to share my love of the outdoors with the kids as we continue to explore Hong Kong together!
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.
