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Resources: Leader Handbook

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Next Steps

These support materials have focused mainly on running group night activities, and on supporting the smooth administration of a Woodcraft Folk group. However, camping trips and international exchanges provide immense scope for young people to put what they have learned into practice.

Being part of the Folk

Woodcraft Folk is a UK-wide movement, and while there is a lot of flexibility about how groups work to deliver our Aims & Principles, our volunteers and young members are supported by a structure and by ways of doing things that are common to the whole of Woodcraft Folk.

Membership

Sustainability

From time to time, even the most effectively run group will need some input to ensure that it continues to thrive.

Uniqueness

 Woodcraft Folk has an approach and an outlook that is different from any other provision for children and young people. If both our activities and the way that we deliver them is inspired and underpinned by Woodcraft Folk’s Aims & Principles, then the difference will be apparent, even in a group for younger children. Many young people will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of out of school activities, including sports teams, youth clubs, religious groups and uniformed groups (e.g. Guides, Cadets, Boys Brigade).

Volunteer Recruitment

Woodcraft Folk is an organisation that thrives on the efforts of its volunteers. As a group leader you will almost certainly need to put some effort into recruiting and inducting new volunteers if your group is to be successful and sustainable. In particular, volunteers may leave your group or choose to support an older age group as their own children get older.

1.1 - Our Aims & Principles

The work of Woodcraft Folk groups is underpinned by a unique philosophy which makes the way we work different from other organisations for children and young people. This philosophy is outlined in our Aims & Principles, and describes what Woodcraft Folk believes about young people and the wider world.

Outreach

Woodcraft Folk sometimes sees groups start up, thrive for a few years, and then decline. This can make it feel like a group has a ‘natural lifespan’. However, in reality a group just needs regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to work effectively. As older children leave at the top end of your group’s age range, or progress to the next age group, you need to recruit younger children to maintain the size of the group.
 
If Woodcraft Folk is well known in your area, you may find word-of-mouth means that you get a steady trickle of new members.

Structure

Woodcraft Folk is open to all ages, from birth to adult. The organisation’s purpose, according to our constitution, is:

The advancement of education and the empowerment of children and young people for the public benefit by encouraging children and young people to participate in society, improving their lives and others through active citizenship; and promoting the interests and welfare of children and young people. 

Training Opportunities

A willingness to take part in learning and development activities is one of the essential requirements for all leaders outlined in Woodcraft Folk’s Leader Standards. Woodcraft Folk provides a variety of different opportunities for leaders to participate in training to help them develop skills and knowledge that will help them in their role.

Termly Tasks

It is good practice to make sure that everyone involved with the running of the group comes together regularly to review how things are going, resolve any issues or queries that have come up, and plan for the period ahead. Coming together for a meeting at the start or end of every term is a good way to make sure that this happens.
 
Programme Planning