The Sept weekend of 26th-27th saw the new Venturer Committee meeting for the first time. Venturers are the 13-15 age group of youth movement Woodcraft Folk.
Held as a duel residential with the Wayfinding Committee for IC2030, the event presented the opportunity to network and learn more about Woodcraft Folk’s aims and principles.
The Committee looked at ways they could improve communication with Venturers and beyond and DF liaison Lizzie attended the residential to educate on what is involved with DFs and the opportunities available for Venturers who choose to move up into DFs; the final local youth age group bracket within Woodcraft Folk.
The committee was also joined by Woodcraft Folk’s General Secretary Lloyd and they shared their views with him on how to improve political engagement in young people, shaping Woodcraft Folk’s response to the government’s ongoing consultation regarding the Government Youth Strategy. Discussions were also had around the possibility that V Committee could travel as a delegation to Finland (or another Erasmus country) to learn about equality in Europe, such as the presence of stigma and discrimination. The committee hoped this would enable them to feedback to Venturers nationally with the knowledge they would gain if the delegation goes ahead!
Suzannah Walker, Woodcraft Folk’s Venturer Committee Facilitator says:
“Many of us were unaware of the Venturer Committee before joining it, highlighting a crucial point to work on. We have taken these first steps through social media, with Lizzie, the DF liaison to V Committee, recording videos of us volunteering at Cudham. By sending a list of group night ideas to all Venturer groups, we hope to encourage fun sessions reflecting Woodcraft Folk’s aims and principles, and enable all Venturers to have a great time!”
The Committee also enjoyed some time outdoors, doing their bit to help regenerate the woods at Woodcraft Folk’s Cudham Centre. After a widespread infection of ash dieback, volunteer Ros and many others including staff at the centre have been busy planting a more diverse and sustainable woodland, including 9 types of trees as part of woodland restoration works. The committee helped to prevent brambles growing around the young trees and created a habitat for insects with dead wood.
At the end of the weekend, the committee sent a list of their favourite group night ideas to all Districts!
Please contact the committee at vc.facilitator@woodcraft.org.uk if you have any questions, comments or ideas!