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Parenting

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Original poster

Why do people fear the Woodcraft Folk?

118 replies

spidermama · 23/03/2006 11:20

I don't think we had them in Scotland. I have only heard bits and pieces about them. I had a quick look at their website which doesn't give much away, but they have some lovely campsites.

I mentioned them to dh on the phone just now and he sounded alarmed. 'What do you want to contact them for?'

There are also references on other threads about Woodcraft Folk making children into weirdos.

I've never been averse to swimming agains the tide, but just exactly why do people react against the Woodcraft Folk.

Come on. You can be honest.

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interstella · 23/03/2006 16:19

We are involved with woodcraft.My ds loves it,a large part of the ethos is nature/the environment,one of the reasons WCF was set up was to allow children from cities to experience nature etc.Games played are co-operative,stuff we do :clay,cooking,drama,music,arts and crafts,and plenty of trips ,visits etc(usually with a conservation/nature/animal theme)indoor climbing,cycling,camping,iceskating,panto visits.It is similar to brownies etc but I do think it is more about co-operation etc than these other groups,and it does have origins in the peace/socialist movement.We like it and we are not lentil /yogurt/tofu weavers!!!

interstella · 23/03/2006 16:25

Lucy cat-our branch is not as m/c as Didsbury clearly,we are more George at Asda than Boden!!

puddle · 23/03/2006 16:25

I love the ethos of the woodcraft folk. All the adults I have met who did it as kids are very lovely people too.

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lazycow · 23/03/2006 16:42

hmmm

I can see a spectrum, depending on how much we think ds needs discipline and structure:

Air/Sea/Army Cadets.
Cubs and Scouts.
Woodcraft Folk.

Or we could give him a big range of experience (a.k.a. do his little head
in) by enlisting him in the Air Cadets one night a week, and the Woodcraft Folk another.

Bad mummy

Filyjonk · 23/03/2006 16:51

I was a woodcraft folk. Actually an elfin, which makes dh pee himself lauughing (not quite sure why...hmmm...I'm sure he's not being ungallant...)

They do play competative games, all the time. Lots of camping, outdoorsy type stuff.

It really is great and I am very sad that there is not one near to us. I am seriously considering seeing if we can get one set up locally, I'm sure I can drum up enough support, laziness notwithstanding.

I would agree there is an overlap between WF and Steinery stuff, but WF does lack the esoteric Teutonic philopsophy. (I also went to a Steiner kindergarten, as will ds)

I like their politics, personally. They are affiliated I think to People and Planet, they do recylcing and all that. I think its great. Indoctrinate them while they're young and impreesionable, and this planet still has oil left, I say.

Filyjonk · 23/03/2006 16:52

And PMSL at the thread title, SM!

Original poster

spidermama · 23/03/2006 19:08

Loving this thread.
Fennel I suspected you were a bit of a hippy. Same here. I would also slot nicely into Hebden Bridge, Totnes, Findhorn and, of course, Brighton. DH has to be persuaded though. He fears the hippy in me.

I feel a full membership of Woodland Craftyness comong on.

PMSL at buring a wicker man every year and other such ideas.

It sounds really good interstella. I hope they'll let me in. I would imagine the Brighton branch is pretty full up though.

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ks · 23/03/2006 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hewlettsdaughter · 23/03/2006 19:32

It's fear of the unknown isn't it. Most people know what goes in in Brownies etc (or think they do, if they went themselves). The Woodcraft Folk are less well known.

zippitippitoes · 23/03/2006 19:34

I was really tempted to say something about stealing children from their beds at night and making them into 20 pairs of shoes..but resisted (sort of)

Filyjonk · 23/03/2006 19:48

PMSL at Woodcraft Folk coming under "the unknown".

I've seen lots of adult women wearing those "Brownies" t shirts. Might try to find a "Woodcraft Folk" one (in size very huge, sadly, but I wouldn't have thought that would be a problem)

Rhubarb · 23/03/2006 20:04

Yes but do they go off to visit the Enchanted Wood with Dick and Fannie?

harpsichordcarrier · 23/03/2006 20:08

that's a good idea Filyjonk
that would look icy cool

Celia2 · 23/03/2006 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

spidermama · 23/03/2006 20:30

I would think Dicak and Fannie would be far more at home in the Brownies Rhubarb. Perhaps they stumbled on the Enchanted Wood after eating a mushroom omlette which was given them by a procession of ribboned Woodcraft Folk who whistled and danced their way past the cottage one misty September morn.

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 23/03/2006 20:30

do you think they'll let me in if they find out dh works for a bank? My credentials are fine. I work for Good.

Original poster

spidermama · 23/03/2006 20:42

As long as you tell them he's trying to change the organisation from within.

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thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 23/03/2006 21:10

I'll have to drop his 4 day week into conversation. No-one who's serious about banking does a 4 day week. Only people who are avid campaigners for equality in the work place and in the home are prepared to put their neck on the line by such a preposterous proposal in this cut-throat world. (and dh)

Dior · 23/03/2006 21:21

Not read the whole thread, but pmsl at 'We fear their chisels'!

snafu · 23/03/2006 21:26

I don't fear the chisels, or the whittling, but I think I might fear the South East Woodcraft Folk rep (in a childish giggling type of way)...

Sorry.

Cristina7 · 23/03/2006 21:36

Sari - I look forward to meeting you when your DS1 starts at WF.

We just found out tonight that there are two camps organised: a 3 day one at the end of May and the 10 day one in Kent (Global Village). I'm taking DS to the May one and, depending on holidays, to the summer one too. DH is delighted. He'll be left at home, on his own, with all the conveniences of civilisation.

jamese · 23/03/2006 21:44

I haven't read all the posts, but I used to go to WCF when I was a child. From memory it was exactly the same as the girl guides, but was a mixed sex group, so was actually much better. No idea how long I went for, probably not as long as guides as I can't remember so much. Nicer uniform though as I recall...

sharklet · 23/03/2006 21:55

I remeber when I first went aged about 5 I thought I was going to learn how to whittle in wood and was very confused to find it was nothing like that. I was an Elfin and a Pioneer. My memoires of WCF include Red Deer the cool old man who was our group leader with long white hair and full of interesting stories. Going on regular camping trips to co-op farms. Wearing my forest green WCF shirt - which I still have somewhere. Going on thier world jamboree in Loughborough which was fabulous. Singing lots of songs around camp fires - many many folks songs, peace anthems and Bob Dylanesque stuff.

They certianly didn't burn any wicker men whilst I was about, perhaps they saved that until Elfins had gone to bed. The only fear I can think of is people thinking they are pinko lefties, socialists and hippies, which for me is no problem. Any anyway they've evolved somewhat since thier beginnings.

When we moved to another town and I was stuck with Girl Guides I had a nasty shock and was stuck doing really what seemed pretty pointless stuff and doing silly things to get pointless badges like my hostess badge WTF!! For me no comparison WCF all the way!!

I can't wait to take DD when she is a bit older. I couldn't praise them enough!

sharklet · 23/03/2006 21:57

Cristina - try to make the Global Village one - I went to one of them in the 80's it was amazing, tons of fun!

Original poster

spidermama · 23/03/2006 22:01

Ok sharklet I'm definitely convinced now. I don't mind the 'pinko lefties, socialists and hippies' tag either. In fact I seek it out. DH can usually be won round. He's very out doorsy, so that'll be my starting point. It's a chance for him to get in touch with his inner Ray Mears.

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