The Woodcraft Folk

The Woodcraft Folk are a unique progressive educational movement for children and young people – both girls and boys - designed to develop self-confidence and activity in society, with the aim of building a world based on equality, peace, social justice and co-operation. 

The Woodcraft Folk was established as an educational movement and charity in 1925, and was run entirely by young people. They operate in England, Scotland and Wales.

Woodcraft in this context meant the skill of living in the open air, close to nature. The Woodcraft Folk, like other youth movements, traces its origins back to Ernest Thompson Seton's pioneering work with North American young people.

Woodcraft Folk groups meet weekly, enjoying a varied programme including: games, drama, discussion, projects , crafts, singing and dancing as well as following an educational programme based on awareness of issues both local and global.

They organise hostelling and camping activities for two nights at weekends throughout the year and camping is a large focus in the summer holidays. Opportunities for international camps and exchanges are also open to young people. 

Group nights usually last between one and two hours, depending on the age of the children or young people. They divide their groups by age:

• Under sixes are known as 'Woodchips'
• Six to nine year olds are known as 'Elfins'
• Ten to twelve year olds are 'Pioneers'
• Thirteen to fifteen year olds are 'Venturers'
• Older teenagers and young adults are known as DFs(District Fellows). DFs are slightly more autonomous and often arrange their own activities as well as assisting with the younger groups.

Woodcraft Folk is committed to including deaf children and young people in all of their activities. To date leaders have participated in awareness training at their annual conference. The DF’s have taken part in workshops with NDCS staff and volunteers and have to invited young deaf people to their recent Taster Camp!

Feedback from DF Taster Camp

“It was really interesting to meet both Raymond from NDCS and Simon from SENSE. They were really lovely people and it was good to be able to include them at camp. It was great to see how communication happens in different ways. People at taster camp were good at coming forward and using their signing skills to communicate with Ray, partly thanks to the deaf awareness workshop at Spring Awakening. Simon seemed to have a really good time too, and especially enjoyed the assault course - mud-facepaint and all!

Woodcraft can be interactive in many ways and if people make the effort, plenty of Woodies activities and games are easy to adapt.

I think the people who facilitated the inclusion at this camp have shown it’s possible to others within Woodcraft, as Simon, Ray and everyone involved seemed to enjoy the experience of taster camp”

Kemi, representing Tyne group of District Fellows

Find out more about the Woodcraft Folk in your area.

For Leaders, visit the Woodcraft Folk website for information about how to be deaf friendly.

Below we have two video clips to show the Woodcraft creed and law in BSL.