Hackney, Birmingham, Reigate and Redhill groups have been exploring Woodcraft Folk Archives held at UCL Institute of Education. Learning from the young people participating about their Woodcraft Folk, we found it reflected in the experiences of young people in woodcraft across the decades and throughout our 100 year history. It is the start of a journey igniting a passion for storytelling in our young people which will lead to our ‘100 Objects for 100 Years’.
Imagine flipping through faded photographs from the 1930s, seeing the same wide-eyed excitement in campers then as our young people experience today. The shared joy, the camaraderie, the unmistakable spirit of Woodcraft – it leaps across decades, showing the core values of this movement are timeless.
M.A. Archives and Records Management students Henry, Izzy, Helena, Naina and Hei have contributed hugely in the workshops, bringing their experiences researching Woodcraft Folk Archives and preparing their own stories of Woodcraft based on themes of Co-operation, Social Change and International Friendship, as important now as ever.
‘I hadn’t met anyone from Woodcraft Folk before, I hadn’t even heard of Woodcraft Folk, but the archives really stood out and drew us all in…Meeting young people from Woodcraft and working with them has been fantastic, and seeing their artwork they are already working on brings the archives to life.’
“100 Objects for 100 years” has been a catalyst, connecting Woodcrafters across the globe. Birmingham District were particularly touched to receive a letter from an 80-year-old Woodcrafter in Perth, Australia. A Birmingham native, he shared his story, bridging continents and generations. It’s a testament to the enduring power of our community and shared values.
The workshops at the UCL Archives have been a springboard into our project and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be collaborating with the Museum of Youth Culture to develop creative ideas for our upcoming exhibition. Creative energy is already flowing – Our friends at Hackney Woodcraft are already diving into the creation of a recipe book, a delicious blend of heritage and practicality. And we know that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Our upcoming Cudham Residential, from March 28th to 30th, is set to be a hotbed of inspiration with creative ideas from our young people, feeding into activities locally in Districts, Camp 100 activities and our exhibition later this year. The exhibition is already booked in venues across the UK and we’re already exploring the possibilities of an international tour for our exhibition, sharing our stories and Woodcraft Folk’s enduring relevance with audiences around the world.
This journey is about more than just preserving the past; it’s about empowering our young people to connect with their heritage, to explore their own stories, and to contribute to the ongoing narrative of the Woodcraft movement. To find out more and how we can work with you across Districts in the UK, contact me, marcus.belben@woodcraftfolk.org.uk
Thanks to UCL Institute of Education Archives for holding our Archives, Jessica Womack, Archivist, Hei Tsui, Helena Butler, Henry Rice, Isobel Cree and Naina Karavadra for support in delivery of our UCL workshops.
