Youth organisation Woodcraft Folk hosted their first ever national pioneer camp! The event took place at the organisation’s beautiful Biblins Youth Campsite from 29th July -4 August.
Biblins provides a back-to-basics camping experience, nestled in the Wye Valley, the 18 acre site hugs the river and is surrounded by ancient woodlands. Whether you plan a social group camp or educational school visit, Biblins offers one of the finest locations in the country.
At Pioneer Camp, over 90 people from 10 districts all over the country came together for a week of adventurous activities, arts and crafts, singing round the campfire and more.
Everyone came together to do all the chores, including cooking and washing up, in mixed age ‘clan’ groups, in-keeping with Woodcraft Folk’s cooperative values. Lots of new friendships were made and lots of new skills were learned in workshops on themes such as bushcraft, circus skills and climbing.
Young people also enjoyed sessions led by the Camp 100 Team to help prepare and enthuse them for Woodcraft Folk’s much bigger international camp that is taking place next summer.
Later on in the week, Pioneers prepared their own pea fair and took part in a wide game, and after a workshop on campaigning they led a peaceful protest about their bushcraft activity session which resulted in the change they wanted! Woodcraft Folk is passionate about developing young people’s skills and providing opportunities where they can grow in confidence to speak up on issues important to them in a constructive manner.
Woodcraft Folk’s Waltham Abbey volunteer and General Council member Joe Bailey says:
‘The camp was extremely well planned and run,’ and that ‘it was wonderful to see the Pioneers make new friends. All in all it was a great week for everyone, meeting new people and trying out new activities. A big thank you to Lauren K for organising such a great camp, to the volunteers who helped out and all the pioneers who came for making it so much fun.” He also commented that the camp enthused some DF volunteers to get involved with national DF events.
Pioneers are the 10-12 years age group of Woodcraft Folk. If you would like to find your nearest Pioneer group head to https://woodcraft.org.uk/find-a-group/