Every term we are sharing useful resources featuring themed activities and actions for youth groups an leaders and schools. Back in April, we shared ideas centered around getting ready for spring and engaging with the outdoors. It has been so fantastic to see so many groups preparing for and going on spring camps and taking part in outdoor activities. The theme for this half-term’s resources is international friendship.
At Woodcraft Folk we are passionate about living as one world, working together to make our social and natural world a better, brighter, fairer and more sustainable place. This summer we are hosting Common Ground international camp. We will welcome around 2,500 people from all over the world and come together in solidarity to have fun, make new friends and take part in activities, workshops and games.
We list below useful links to resources on international friendship – don’t forget to tag us in any photos of activities you try!
Spanning the world with friendship!
Preparation for Common Ground is well underway and groups are getting ready in many different ways ….
This half-term we are focusing on sharing activities around international friendship to help us be ready to welcome our international friends this summer to the UK and to our camp.
When we are introducing international friends to our groups we can also begin to think about how we will welcome our guests this summer and what activities we can do together that remove language barriers, create friendships and memories to allow us to stand on common ground together. The activities are equally as relevent to other youth leaders who want to explore internartinal friendship.
Additional international friendship themed activities and ideas can be found in our activities catalogue under the environment and adventure topics. We have shared a variety of activity ideas below for a range of ages.
Woodcraft Folk is committed to international solidarity and spanning the world with friendship. We are an active member of the International Falcon Movement and participate in a wide range of projects, seminars, exchanges and international camps. You can find our latest international opportunities here – please spread the word with your group!
Coming up
Some useful reminders for events and activities in June!
- June is pride month! We welcome members of all genders and sexual orientations at Woodcraft Folk and we work to educate our members so that they may take action and speak up on issues such as oppression and discrimination in the wider community to help break down harmful and outdated stereotypes. The IFM-SEI Gender Equality Handbook is a useful resource for groups wanting to run sessions during pride month.
- Common Ground – We are encouraging those already signed up to the camp to get involved with our volunteering opportunities which are listed here – we would love international attendees to sign up! Don’t forget to check out our Common Ground activity pack to help your group learn more about Common Ground! The IFM-SEI also have a really useful activity guide on the theme of co-operation.
- With camping season around the corner, now is the perfect time to practice putting your tents up! Don’t forget to check out our centres when thinking of booking your trip, which offer stunning locations and essential facilities plus a range of fun activities from canoeing to abseiling for campers. From being able to sleep under the stars in the Burrow at Biblins, to exploring breathtaking scenery at Lockerbrook, located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, our centres really do have something for everyone.
Taking action – fundraise for Champions for Children
We’re launching our “Champions for Children” fundraising campaign on 14th June 2022 to share free Woodcraft Folk activities with disadvantaged children across London!
Can your youth group help by running a fundraising event like a cake sale, sponsored walk or pea fayre? Host an event before 19th June, and everything you raise will be doubled by our match funders! Look for information on how to host an event here:
Donations can be made online here between 14th-21st June and every donation will be doubled. Find out more and how you can help by sharing the campaign here.
Group activity
How bad are bananas?! Following on from our fantastic All Change residential at Cudham over the Easter holidays young members from New Barnet, Waltham Abbey, Hornsey and Sheffield have facilitated sessions and games of ‘How bad are bananas’ with their local groups. In the game, players learn about carbon footprints and how our everyday actions can have an impact on our environment.
Why not try playing the game with youth group! Contact lauren.karstadt@woodcraft.org.uk for more information on the game.
Don’t forget to tag us on social media or share photos and news with us of what international friendship activities you get up to this term – whether you are inspired to try our ideas or come up with your own we would love to hear! Please let us know what themed activities you would like us to supply next half-term.
