Adventure starts with Woodcraft Folk!
Come and join one of the longest serving and most established youth movements in the world.
Through our weekly group nights, campaigns, events and programmes we support children and young people to take the lead and change their world.
Joining a Woodcraft Folk group offers a chance for young people to develop skills, build confidence, make friends, get outdoors and explore new experiences in a safe space where everyone is welcome.
Joining Woodcraft Folk means being part of a thriving community of passionate and dedicated people. It’s about helping children and young people engage with the world around them and, developing their skills, making friends and most importantly, we have fun!
Everyone welcome
Every week thousands of volunteers and young people across the UK meet in school halls, community venues and a host of other places to attend our local groups. There, our young members learn about big ideas and topical issues such as the environment and world peace through fun activities like craft, games, camping, playing and debating.
Our local groups are the lifeblood of our charity and we are an inclusive organisation that aims to make our groups accessible and open to all young people who want to join. We seek to keep activity costs low, and offer financial support to young people where we can.
We have nearly 200 groups across England, Wales and Scotland for ages 0 to 20 with many of our older members aged 21+ years then staying in the movement to get involved with our volunteer programme.
Activities are designed to meet the needs and aspirations of the young people in the group, and will take account of any medical needs, disabilities or learning needs. Your local group co-ordinator will be able to provide more information.
What happens at group nights
Our weekly groups, run by volunteers, usually last between one and two hours. Activities explored depend on the age group.
While all our groups are underpinned by the same aims and principles, we explore these in an age-appropriate way through our different age ranges.
Here are some of the things we get up to across our age groups:
- Craft activities like screen printing, clay modelling or badge making
- Adventurous activities such as bushcraft, canoeing, den building, climbing and campfire cooking
- Engaging games – such as trials around the neighbourhood, team challenges or drama based activities
- Connecting with the outdoors – bird watching, planting wildflower seeds, making a bug hotel or growing their own produce
- Debating and learning – exploring topical issues through workshops and debates such as climate change, anti-racism or peace. We also take part in campaigns such as Great Big Green Week, No Child Left Behind or Fairtrade Fortnight
- Trips – this might be local exploration such as to the nearest park or a weekend adventure to one of our four residential centres. We even host regional, national and international events for our local groups such as week long camps.
- Working towards externally recognised programmes – such as the John Muir Award
As our members progress through the organisation, young people grow in confidence and will have more opportunities to shape their group’s activities such as running a workshop for their peers to share a skill or talent.
Why join a Woodcraft Folk group
Our young members can benefit from:
- A space where everyone is welcome
- Learning new things within a supportive community
- A range of activities and opportunities on offer to explore
- Meeting new people and making memories to last a lifetime
- Many physical and mental wellbeing improvements particularly with outdoor activities
- Growing in confidence
- International experiences
Signing up
Many of our local groups are currently looking for new members. If you fill in the form below by Thursday 9th November we will put you in contact with your local group who can share further info and explain the easy steps to take to get your young person registered at the group.