Welcome to the Heritage site of the Woodcraft Folk!

This web site has been made possible by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the project ‘ Opening up the Archives'. This enabled the Woodcraft Folk to sort out its papers and memorabilia, from the formation of the first groups in 1925. This archive material has been transferred to the Archive Department of the London School of Economics Library. The items on this web site were selected from these archives. Additional film footage of the Woodcraft Folk is housed with the Co-operative Archive, The British Film Institute and the East Anglia Film Archive.

The rationale for the selection has been three fold:

1. To provide a taster of the Woodcraft Folk: its structure, organisation, philosophy, policies and activities. Items range from the Minutes of a particular structure, such as the Supporters' Councils, to the sketches and reminiscences in the log books of individual members. Further insight can be gained from the Woodcraft Archives at the LSE.

2. To provide educational activities for the 9-13 year old, linked to National Curriculum stages 2 and 3. The three areas: Peace; Refugees and the Environment use archive items to reflect the concerns of the Woodcraft Folk throughout their history. These activities are inter-active on-line or can be down loaded to use off line.

3. To provide a Folk Friends area for Woodcraft members to make contact, to add memories via a notice board and add their knowledge to the data on the items.

Some districts of the Folk have their own web sites. It is hoped that Archive material held by members could be put on these web sites which will then be linked to WoodcraftHeritage.

The Woodcraft Folk is a national educational charity, established in 1925, for boys and girls. It aims to create a world built on equality, friendship, peace and co-operation.

The organisation has five age groups: Woodchips (under 6); Elfins (ages 6 to 9); Pioneers (10 to 12); Venturers (13 to 15); and DFs (16 to 20). There are about 18,000 members throughout the UK in around 500 local groups.

Woodcraft Folk groups meet weekly for a varied programme including games, drama, craftwork, singing and dancing as well as following an educational programme. Hiking, hostelling, and camping are also undertaken at weekends and during holidays. There is an emphasis on co-operation and empowering young people.

Young people are involved at all levels of decision-making within the organisation, from setting their own programme at group nights to attending the Annual Conference.