The Woodcraft Folk
Encyclopedia
The Woodcraft Folk is a UK
-based educational movement for children and young people, and registered charity no. 1073665. The constitutional object of this youth organisation is "to educate and empower young people to be able to participate actively in society, improving their lives and others' through active citizenship."
movement, The Woodcraft Folk's direct antecedent was the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift
, an organisation led by ex-Scout Commissioner for Woodcraft and Camping John Hargrave
, who had broken with what he considered to be the Scouts' militaristic
approach in the years immediately after the First World War
. The Woodcraft Folk was established by Leslie Paul
in 1925 after the south London
co-operative groups challenged Hargrave's authoritarian tendencies over his refusal to recognise a local group called "The Brockley Thing" and broke away from the Kindred. In its early days it was very similar to the Kibbo Kift, with a strong pagan
and anti-capitalist emphasis, but gradually developed its own distinct ethos.
The name 'Woodcraft
' was used by the influential writer and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton
at the turn of the 20th century when setting up the American proto-Scouting organisation Woodcraft Indians
, and in this context meant the skill of living in the open air, close to nature.
In 2000 The Woodcraft Folk developed a birthday logo. There was much argument about which logo should be used on official publications, with the new square logo favoured for a long time by the Head Office. In 2008 Annual Conference the Woodcraft Folk voted to stop using the 75th logo and resort only to the round logo on official publications.
The history within the labour movement can be seen in the book produced by the Woodcraft Folk called Fashioning a New World which it commissioned for its 75th birthday. Other historical references exist, Cooperative Banners a book available from the Rochdale Pioneers
museum contains banners of the Woodcraft Folk. The Woodcraft Folk historical records are held at the London School of Economics
. Much of these archives can be viewed on-line including resources on how to use them for young peoples groups.
Woodcraft is not based upon any particular religious belief or national identity. The core values are that irrespective of social background, status or age all members have an equal say in the decision making process. The organisation welcomes all young people whether they have a religious background or none and much of its work emphasises the importance of international understanding and fellowship. The principles of peace
and co-operation are therefore central to everything they do and they endeavour to develop members to have an understanding of some of the issues behind global poverty and conflict in the belief in fashioning a new, better world.
There is an alternative to this, usually recited in younger groups such as Elfins (6-9). The words to this are as follows:
At the end of camps everyone will link hands and sing the closing song:
Until relatively recently the creed ended with a cry of 'How' rather than 'Peace'. This has been changed because the pseudo-Native American origin (with the patronising attitude implicit in its use) of the word 'How' does not match Woodcraft's policy of respect for other cultures.
organisation. Policies are decided at annual conference (Annual Gathering), attended by delegates from groups and local districts. Between Annual Gathering responsibility for running the organisation falls on the members of the General Council. The organisation states that they "are proud of the fact that about half of our current General Council are young people under 25 years of age".
The District Fellows
(DFs) also have an annual decision making meeting, known as "Althing". This is normally held in October. They have an elected committee where each post is held for two years. Any District Fellow is able to attend and vote on the motions. This is not to say that they are totally independent from the main body of the Woodcraft Folk. District Fellows still have representatives at Annual Gathering, and decisions made there still apply.
, Northern Ireland
and Wales
. In Wales the organisation is known as Gwerin y Coed. Groups generally meet weekly, their activities including co-operative games, drama, camping trips, craftwork, singing and dancing, as well as following an educational programme based on the organisation's aims and principles. Group nights last between one and two hours, depending on the age of the children or young people. Groups are divided by age.
Venturer events are held nationally every 3 years as well as regional events happening more often such as midnight ice skating in London or North London Venturer Camp. A National Venturer Camp is held every 3 years so every Venturer can go once. Each camp has an overarching theme and runs activities for the Venturers to attend. The last was held in 2010 at Drum Hill Scout Camp breaking the three years regularity. This is because it would otherwise conflict with the coming International Camp in 2011. This enables Venturers who were thirteen during the camp in 2008 to attend Venturer Camp twice - once aged thirteen and once fifteen. The website for the camp is www.venturercamp.org.uk
The District Fellows Movement (DFs) operates both on a local group level and as a semi-autonomous movement within the Woodcraft Folk. The age group is largely run by DFs through the DF Committee. This organises three annual events, Winter Wonderland, Spring Awakening and DF Camp together with the AGM - Althing
- and three, regional, open committee meetings called Things.
DFs have their own website: Span That World. They also run their own campaigns. Current campaigns are: "Direct your Democracy" Working towards empowering young people to be politically aware and protecting young people's rights and interests as they are ignored by the government and "Right to Refuge" A campaign against the mistreatment of these people and the ignoring of their human rights. Currently this campaign is focusing on child detention. For more information see their website here
Movement and is part of Cooperatives UK
The Woodcraft Folk used to receive a yearly subsidy from the Department for Education and Skills. In 2005, however, the Woodcraft folk lost this grant. The department said that the organisation's claim for a grant lacked detail and that they did not have “sufficiently robust outcome indicators”, meaning that it did not represent a “good value for money”, although some members of Woodcraft Folk have claimed that the real reason the funding was stopped is the group's strong stance against the Iraq War. This was the first time in 40 years the organisation was denied funding by the department. The grant money provided a fifth of the funds that helped to pay for Woodcraft Folk's full-time staff and headquarters.
The Woodcraft Folk campaigned to get its funding back and before the May 2005 election was offered a seconded employee from the Department for Education and Skills starting in 2006 for a year and a return to limited funding the year after.
The Woodcraft Folk also receives sporadic funding from grant providers for project work it undertakes such as the London Training grant from the City Bridge Trust. Other recent grants include those for Global Village 2006 from the Department for International Development
and the Cooperative Group and for the 18 month Climate Challenge project, C-Change, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(see http://www.switchonswitchoff.org/).
-based federation of progressive youth organisations, the International Falcon Movement - Socialist Education International (IFM-SEI).
The IFM-SEI links together like-minded progressive youth organisations in many parts of the world, though its strongest affiliates are in Western Europe and Latin-America. It has a secretariat based in Brussels. Tamsin Pearce, a former Woodcraft Folk Chair and former IFM-SEI Vice-President is the (elected) Secretary General. The Woodcraft Folk's former General Secretary - Andy Piercy sat on the Control Commission of IFM-SEI until 2007.
International camps where similar organisations can meet up and network are held every year in different countries. International camps take place in England every 5 to 6 years or so.
, and to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
In the development education field, Woodcraft is an affiliate of the Development Education Association (DEA).
, to which Woodcraft works closely. The Woodcraft Folk plays an active part in the voluntary youth service, mainly through the NCVYS , the National Council for Voluntary Youth Service, which also includes groups such as The Scout Association
and Girlguiding UK
.
The Woodcraft Folk is affiliated to the British Youth Council
, an umbrella body for youth councils and youth organisations across the UK. The current vice chair of BYC is Elle Dodd, a Woodcraft Folk member and former vice-chair.
Co-operatives UK (formally the Co-operative Union) is the federation of all co-operatives in the UK. The Woodcraft Folk are members of Co-operatives UK and work closely with the Co-operatives UK's College.
The Co-operative College is based in Manchester and is managed by the Board of Management on behalf of the Co-operatives UK, Woodcraft Folk's former General Secretary - Andy Piercy currently sits on the board of the Cooperative College.
and affiliated to the National Peace Council
, the Campaign Against Arms Trade
(CAAT) and work closely with many local CND branches.
(CCPR).
The Forest School Camps
(FSC) organisation, which organises democratically-run camps for children and young people, has very similar objectives to the Woodcraft Folk with shared historical links which continue today.
NB * Chris Pyke was acting General Secertary between mid-2005 to early-2007 and again late 2010
The second to last event, the Global Village Youth Festival of 2006, was the first in over 60 years to be held as an official IFM-SEI camp. Since then, another international festival has taken place. It was called CoCamp and concentrated on cooperation in the world. CoCamp was also an official IFM-SEI camp with groups from all over the world participating in the event.
Regional events are aimed at supporting local communities and traditions and reminding its members of the importance of holding onto ideals of justice
, democracy
, peace
and cooperation
. The South West Woodcraft Folk for instance meet annually at Levellers Day and the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival. http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/
The Woodcraft World Archives can be found on the Official Woodcraft Folk website.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-based educational movement for children and young people, and registered charity no. 1073665. The constitutional object of this youth organisation is "to educate and empower young people to be able to participate actively in society, improving their lives and others' through active citizenship."
History
Whilst sharing many of the same historical roots as the ScoutingScouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
movement, The Woodcraft Folk's direct antecedent was the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift
Kibbo Kift
The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift was a youth organisation in England from 1920 to 1951.-Origins:The organisation was founded by the charismatic Englishman John Hargrave , artist, author and Boy Scout Commissioner for Woodcraft and Camping, who had become disenchanted with the increasingly militaristic...
, an organisation led by ex-Scout Commissioner for Woodcraft and Camping John Hargrave
John Hargrave
John Gordon Hargrave , nicknamed 'White Fox', was one of the leading figures in the Social Credit movement in British politics.-Early life:...
, who had broken with what he considered to be the Scouts' militaristic
Militarism
Militarism is defined as: the belief or desire of a government or people that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests....
approach in the years immediately after the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The Woodcraft Folk was established by Leslie Paul
Leslie Paul
Leslie Allen Paul was an Anglo-Irish writer and founder of the Woodcraft Folk.-Life:Born in Dublin in April 1905, Leslie Paul grew up in South East London...
in 1925 after the south London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
co-operative groups challenged Hargrave's authoritarian tendencies over his refusal to recognise a local group called "The Brockley Thing" and broke away from the Kindred. In its early days it was very similar to the Kibbo Kift, with a strong pagan
Paganism
Paganism is a blanket term, typically used to refer to non-Abrahamic, indigenous polytheistic religious traditions....
and anti-capitalist emphasis, but gradually developed its own distinct ethos.
The name 'Woodcraft
Woodcraft
Woodcraft is a recreational/educational program devised by Ernest Thompson Seton in 1902, for young people based on camping, outdoor skills and woodcrafts. Thompson Seton's Woodcraft ideas were incorporated into the early Scout movement, but also in many other organisations in many countries.In the...
' was used by the influential writer and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton was a Scots-Canadian who became a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America . Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
at the turn of the 20th century when setting up the American proto-Scouting organisation Woodcraft Indians
Woodcraft Indians
The League of Woodcraft Indians was an American youth program, established by Ernest Thompson Seton. Despite the name, it was developed for non-Indian boys. It was later renamed the "Woodcraft League of America", and would also allow girls to join...
, and in this context meant the skill of living in the open air, close to nature.
In 2000 The Woodcraft Folk developed a birthday logo. There was much argument about which logo should be used on official publications, with the new square logo favoured for a long time by the Head Office. In 2008 Annual Conference the Woodcraft Folk voted to stop using the 75th logo and resort only to the round logo on official publications.
Rochdale Pioneers
The Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers, founded in 1844, was an early consumer co-operative, and the first to pay a patronage dividend, forming the basis for the modern co-operative movement....
museum contains banners of the Woodcraft Folk. The Woodcraft Folk historical records are held at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. Much of these archives can be viewed on-line including resources on how to use them for young peoples groups.
Philosophy
The official slogan of The Woodcraft Folk is Span the world with friendship, it also uses "Education for Social Change" in its publicity and also constitutional documents.Woodcraft is not based upon any particular religious belief or national identity. The core values are that irrespective of social background, status or age all members have an equal say in the decision making process. The organisation welcomes all young people whether they have a religious background or none and much of its work emphasises the importance of international understanding and fellowship. The principles of peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
and co-operation are therefore central to everything they do and they endeavour to develop members to have an understanding of some of the issues behind global poverty and conflict in the belief in fashioning a new, better world.
The Creed
The Woodcraft Folk's creed is traditionally said at the beginning of any group night or formal meeting. Each person raises their right hand and says in unison:
This shall be for a bond between us,
That we are of one blood you and I;
That we shall cry peace to all,
And claim kinship with every living thing;
That we hate War, Sloth and Greed,
And love fellowship.
And that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world.
PEACE
There is an alternative to this, usually recited in younger groups such as Elfins (6-9). The words to this are as follows:
We will do our best to be healthy and happy,
To care for the world and everything in it.
We will work with our friends in Woodcraft Folk
To build a fair and peaceful world for everyone.
PEACE.
At the end of camps everyone will link hands and sing the closing song:
Link your hands together
A circle we make;
This bond of our friendship
No power can break.
Let's all sing together
In one mighty throng;
Should any be weary
We'll help them along;
Should any be weary
We'll help them along..
PEACE
Until relatively recently the creed ended with a cry of 'How' rather than 'Peace'. This has been changed because the pseudo-Native American origin (with the patronising attitude implicit in its use) of the word 'How' does not match Woodcraft's policy of respect for other cultures.
Decision Making
The Woodcraft Folk is a democraticDemocracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
organisation. Policies are decided at annual conference (Annual Gathering), attended by delegates from groups and local districts. Between Annual Gathering responsibility for running the organisation falls on the members of the General Council. The organisation states that they "are proud of the fact that about half of our current General Council are young people under 25 years of age".
The District Fellows
District Fellows
District Fellows is the name given to the 16–20 year old age group the Woodcraft Folk, a UK-based educational movement for children and young people. It operates both on a local group level and as a semi-autonomous movement within the Woodcraft Folk. Woodcraft Folk is very strongly in favour of...
(DFs) also have an annual decision making meeting, known as "Althing". This is normally held in October. They have an elected committee where each post is held for two years. Any District Fellow is able to attend and vote on the motions. This is not to say that they are totally independent from the main body of the Woodcraft Folk. District Fellows still have representatives at Annual Gathering, and decisions made there still apply.
Age Groups
Woodcraft Folk groups operate in England, ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. In Wales the organisation is known as Gwerin y Coed. Groups generally meet weekly, their activities including co-operative games, drama, camping trips, craftwork, singing and dancing, as well as following an educational programme based on the organisation's aims and principles. Group nights last between one and two hours, depending on the age of the children or young people. Groups are divided by age.
Woodchips
Under six. The most recently established age group in the Woodcraft folk. Previously, under sixes were unofficially called Wood pigeons.Venturers
Thirteen to fifteen years oldsVenturer events are held nationally every 3 years as well as regional events happening more often such as midnight ice skating in London or North London Venturer Camp. A National Venturer Camp is held every 3 years so every Venturer can go once. Each camp has an overarching theme and runs activities for the Venturers to attend. The last was held in 2010 at Drum Hill Scout Camp breaking the three years regularity. This is because it would otherwise conflict with the coming International Camp in 2011. This enables Venturers who were thirteen during the camp in 2008 to attend Venturer Camp twice - once aged thirteen and once fifteen. The website for the camp is www.venturercamp.org.uk
| Year | Theme | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | To be decided | To be decided |
| 2010 | Futures - fashioning a new world. | Drum Hill Scout Camp, Derby Derby Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407... |
| 2008 | Anti-Apathy | Drum Hill Scout Camp, Derby Derby Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407... |
| 2005 | Peace / Hiroshima Remembrance | Drum Hill Scout Camp, Derby Derby Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407... |
| 2002 | Sustainability / Friendship | Woodcraft Park Farm, West Sussex West Sussex West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming... |
| 1999 | Keswick, Lake District Lake District The Lake District, also commonly known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a mountainous region in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous not only for its lakes and its mountains but also for its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth... |
District Fellows (DFs)
Sixteen to twenty one year-olds are organised in a section called the District Fellows movement.The District Fellows Movement (DFs) operates both on a local group level and as a semi-autonomous movement within the Woodcraft Folk. The age group is largely run by DFs through the DF Committee. This organises three annual events, Winter Wonderland, Spring Awakening and DF Camp together with the AGM - Althing
Althing
The Alþingi, anglicised variously as Althing or Althingi, is the national parliament of Iceland. The Althingi is the oldest parliamentary institution in the world still extant...
- and three, regional, open committee meetings called Things.
DFs have their own website: Span That World. They also run their own campaigns. Current campaigns are: "Direct your Democracy" Working towards empowering young people to be politically aware and protecting young people's rights and interests as they are ignored by the government and "Right to Refuge" A campaign against the mistreatment of these people and the ignoring of their human rights. Currently this campaign is focusing on child detention. For more information see their website here
Funding
The Woodcraft Folk is paid for by weekly subscription from children and young people, adult memberships paid yearly and groups pay annual national registration fees. The Woodcraft Folk has also from its start received substantial support from the CooperativeCooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
Movement and is part of Cooperatives UK
Cooperatives UK
Co-operatives UK is "the central membership organisation for co-operative enterprise throughout the UK", a co-operative federation founded in 1870 as the Co-operative Central Board, before changing its name to the Co-operative Union and finally becoming Co-operatives UK following its merger with...
The Woodcraft Folk used to receive a yearly subsidy from the Department for Education and Skills. In 2005, however, the Woodcraft folk lost this grant. The department said that the organisation's claim for a grant lacked detail and that they did not have “sufficiently robust outcome indicators”, meaning that it did not represent a “good value for money”, although some members of Woodcraft Folk have claimed that the real reason the funding was stopped is the group's strong stance against the Iraq War. This was the first time in 40 years the organisation was denied funding by the department. The grant money provided a fifth of the funds that helped to pay for Woodcraft Folk's full-time staff and headquarters.
The Woodcraft Folk campaigned to get its funding back and before the May 2005 election was offered a seconded employee from the Department for Education and Skills starting in 2006 for a year and a return to limited funding the year after.
The Woodcraft Folk also receives sporadic funding from grant providers for project work it undertakes such as the London Training grant from the City Bridge Trust. Other recent grants include those for Global Village 2006 from the Department for International Development
Department for International Development
The Department For International Development is a United Kingdom government department with a Cabinet Minister in charge. It was separated from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1997. The goal of the department is "to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty". The current...
and the Cooperative Group and for the 18 month Climate Challenge project, C-Change, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in the United Kingdom...
(see http://www.switchonswitchoff.org/).
International
Although a British organisation, it has sister organisations throughout the world, by being a part of the BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
-based federation of progressive youth organisations, the International Falcon Movement - Socialist Education International (IFM-SEI).
The IFM-SEI links together like-minded progressive youth organisations in many parts of the world, though its strongest affiliates are in Western Europe and Latin-America. It has a secretariat based in Brussels. Tamsin Pearce, a former Woodcraft Folk Chair and former IFM-SEI Vice-President is the (elected) Secretary General. The Woodcraft Folk's former General Secretary - Andy Piercy sat on the Control Commission of IFM-SEI until 2007.
International camps where similar organisations can meet up and network are held every year in different countries. International camps take place in England every 5 to 6 years or so.
Voluntary sector
The Woodcraft Folk is affiliated to NCVO, National Council for Voluntary OrganisationsNational Council for Voluntary Organisations
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in England. NCVO works to support the voluntary and community sector and to create an environment in which an independent civil society can flourish...
, and to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.
In the development education field, Woodcraft is an affiliate of the Development Education Association (DEA).
Youth service
The main youth ‘quango’ is the NYA, National Youth AgencyNational Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency is an educational charity in England that works in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to support and improve services for young people....
, to which Woodcraft works closely. The Woodcraft Folk plays an active part in the voluntary youth service, mainly through the NCVYS , the National Council for Voluntary Youth Service, which also includes groups such as The Scout Association
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
and Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
.
The Woodcraft Folk is affiliated to the British Youth Council
British Youth Council
The British Youth Council is a UK charity working to empower young people to have a say and be heard. Run by young people for young people, BYC exists to represent the views of young people to government and decision-makers at a local, national, European and international level; and to promote the...
, an umbrella body for youth councils and youth organisations across the UK. The current vice chair of BYC is Elle Dodd, a Woodcraft Folk member and former vice-chair.
Co-operative movement
The Woodcraft Folk has since its founding had close links with the co-operative movement, and currently receives considerable financial support from various co-op bodies.Co-operatives UK (formally the Co-operative Union) is the federation of all co-operatives in the UK. The Woodcraft Folk are members of Co-operatives UK and work closely with the Co-operatives UK's College.
The Co-operative College is based in Manchester and is managed by the Board of Management on behalf of the Co-operatives UK, Woodcraft Folk's former General Secretary - Andy Piercy currently sits on the board of the Cooperative College.
Peace movement
The Woodcraft Folk are members of the Stop the War CoalitionStop the War Coalition
The Stop the War Coalition is a United Kingdom group set up on 21 September 2001 that campaigns against what it believes are unjust wars....
and affiliated to the National Peace Council
National Peace Council
The National Peace Council, founded in 1908, and disbanded in 2000, acted as the co-ordinating body for almost 200 groups across Britain, with a membership ranging from small village peace groups to national trade unions and local authorities...
, the Campaign Against Arms Trade
Campaign Against Arms Trade
Campaign Against Arms Trade is a UK-based NGO and campaigning organisation working towards the abolition of the international arms trade. Founded in 1974 by a broad coalition of peace groups, CAAT is united in opposition to the military industrial complex and the growth of the private military...
(CAAT) and work closely with many local CND branches.
Outdoor/environmental movements
Affiliations are held with the Ramblers Association (RA), and Woodcraft Folk have a close relationship with Youth Hostels Association (YHA) attending the AGM and other statutory meetings. Woodcraft Folk is affiliated to the Council for Environmental Education (CEE) and the The Central Council of Physical Recreation (UK)The Central Council of Physical Recreation (UK)
The Central Council of Physical Recreation , now known as the Sport and Recreation Alliance, is the national representative body for national sports organisations in the United Kingdom.-The organisation:...
(CCPR).
The Forest School Camps
Forest School Camps
Forest School Camps is an organization that is aimed primarily at children between the ages of 6 and 17. FSC has camps running throughout the year, the main ones taking place in the summer. Being a volunteer run organization, it relies on cultural/social bonds and enthusiasm from participants for...
(FSC) organisation, which organises democratically-run camps for children and young people, has very similar objectives to the Woodcraft Folk with shared historical links which continue today.
General Secretaries and Chairs
Woodcraft Folk Democratic Years run from June to May and their finical, administrative years run from January to December. The last two General Secretaries have been appointed January and unless stated the Chairs are all elected after the Annual Gathering some time between July and August.| Year | General Secretary | Chair of General Council |
|---|---|---|
| 2010/11–present | Jon Nott | Lloyd Russell-Moyle |
| 2009/10 | Kirsty Palmer* (resigned November) | Danny Rowe (resigned September) / Lloyd Russell-Moyle (by-election September) |
| 2008/9 | Kirsty Palmer | Danny Rowe |
| 2007/8 | Kirsty Palmer / Andy Piercy* (Retiring) | Richard Lace |
| 2006/7 | Andy Piercy* | Richard Lace |
| 2005/6 | Andy Piercy* | Jess Cawley (Resigned September) / Richard Lace (by-election September) |
| 2002/3–2004/5 | Andy Piercy | Tamsin Pearce |
| 1996/7–2001/2 | Andy Piercy | Jess Cawley |
NB * Chris Pyke was acting General Secertary between mid-2005 to early-2007 and again late 2010
Events
The Woodcraft Folk organise both local and regional camps and activities as well as larger national camps such as a camp for Venturers (see above) held every three years and an International Camp, usually held every five to six years.The second to last event, the Global Village Youth Festival of 2006, was the first in over 60 years to be held as an official IFM-SEI camp. Since then, another international festival has taken place. It was called CoCamp and concentrated on cooperation in the world. CoCamp was also an official IFM-SEI camp with groups from all over the world participating in the event.
Regional events are aimed at supporting local communities and traditions and reminding its members of the importance of holding onto ideals of justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
, democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
and cooperation
Cooperation
Cooperation or co-operation is the process of working or acting together. In its simplest form it involves things working in harmony, side by side, while in its more complicated forms, it can involve something as complex as the inner workings of a human being or even the social patterns of a...
. The South West Woodcraft Folk for instance meet annually at Levellers Day and the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival. http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/
Woodcraft World
Woodcraft World is a seasonal members magazine that brings news from inside the Woodcraft Folk as well as worldwide news on events of interest to members of the Woodcraft Folk.The Woodcraft World Archives can be found on the Official Woodcraft Folk website.
See also
- District FellowsDistrict FellowsDistrict Fellows is the name given to the 16–20 year old age group the Woodcraft Folk, a UK-based educational movement for children and young people. It operates both on a local group level and as a semi-autonomous movement within the Woodcraft Folk. Woodcraft Folk is very strongly in favour of...
- Sust’n’AbleSust’n’AbleSust 'n' Able is the Woodcraft Folk's programme of education for sustainable development.It aims to increase awareness of:*The present and predicted impact of human life on the global environment at all levels - personal actions; local and national governmental decision making; multi-national...
- International Falcon Movement - Socialist Education International
- WoodcraftWoodcraftWoodcraft is a recreational/educational program devised by Ernest Thompson Seton in 1902, for young people based on camping, outdoor skills and woodcrafts. Thompson Seton's Woodcraft ideas were incorporated into the early Scout movement, but also in many other organisations in many countries.In the...
- Woodcraft League of AmericaWoodcraft IndiansThe League of Woodcraft Indians was an American youth program, established by Ernest Thompson Seton. Despite the name, it was developed for non-Indian boys. It was later renamed the "Woodcraft League of America", and would also allow girls to join...
- Order of Woodcraft ChivalryOrder of Woodcraft ChivalryThe Order of Woodcraft Chivalry is a Scouting-like movement operating in the United Kingdom, which was founded in 1916 by Ernest Westlake. Like Scouting, it was inspired by Ernest Seton's Seton Indians, and Seton was its honourary Grand Chieftain...
- Kibbo KiftKibbo KiftThe Kindred of the Kibbo Kift was a youth organisation in England from 1920 to 1951.-Origins:The organisation was founded by the charismatic Englishman John Hargrave , artist, author and Boy Scout Commissioner for Woodcraft and Camping, who had become disenchanted with the increasingly militaristic...
External links
- Woodcraft Folk Official website
- Sust'n'Able - Woodcraft Folk Sustainability project
- Global Village 2006 IFM-SEI festival
- District Fellows website
- Catalogue of the Youth Movement Archive at the Archives Division of the London School of EconomicsLondon School of EconomicsThe London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
. - District Fellows' wiki