Why do people fear the Woodcraft Folk?

[spidermama]

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.

(If they only admitted sincere believers they would all fold tomorrow.)

Marina - and others interested - there's a WF day at Crystal palace park on 16th July.

Don't fear us - our motto is 'span the world with friendship' :)

JanH -- it's the Scouts' official policy that they don't take atheists. Their "equal opportunities" (hollow laugh) policy specifically states "The Scout Movement is not a religious organisation, but does expect its Members to follow a religious faith and conform to its practices. A belief in the spiritual aspect of human beings and a belief in a spiritual power greater than ourselves is fundamental to Membership of the Scout Movement. Religious observances are part of the regular life of the Scout Group and the wider Movement."

It's enforced more strongly for leaders, admittedly (there's a certain assumption that "atheist" youngsters are just confused, but if you're a leader and "come out" as an atheist then you're out). I don't like the idea of any level of pretence about DS's religion (although I agree with you that in practice if he were prepared to promise to "do his duty to God" it's unlikely a group would actually turn him down), and I very much don't like the idea of his getting involved in an organisation that believes I'm not a fit and proper person to be a leader -- I don't like the message it sends out.

I was (politely) chucked out of brownies for refusing to go to a church meeting with them - I just couldn't get the first badge because of it... also, i never had a hankie.

snotty children not appreciated at brownies.

I was chucked out of Brownies too, for telling Brown Owl to f*ck off

why didn't I think of that - could have saved myself months of dancing round a toadstool - I was definately the runt of my six (is that what its called?)

I was tolerated at Brownies despite taking 6 sessions to learn how to plait and regularly using the toadstool for leapfrog but when it came to Guides they told me the wrong day to go...

Leah, I hadn't read your Scouts official policy post when I posted about my kids going; I had no idea they felt so strongly about atheists but then I am a v wishy-washy atheist (used to take the kids to Christingle services because they enjoyed them and the carols are nice - I guess they got rather mixed messages from me!)

My kids joined the Woodies almost by chance and it was the making of both of them in different ways. The eldest joined aged about 6 because a friend went and it was a way of having an evening activity without me having to invest in a uniform or pretend to be into God and the Queen. When we moved to a different city she was bullied at school so we sought out a woodie group so she could have a different set of friends from the ones at school. They were amazingly inclusive and welcoming and she has had almost two decades of experiences through them which include being funded to travel to conferences of the rights of young people in Sweden, New York and South Africa, chairing committees, leading cooperative education programmes, and many national and international camps including the big 6,000 strong Global Village that they do every few years with delegates from all over the world.
My son was reluctant to follow but found his own way in when he was 16 and learned - without my having to lean on him - how to pack a rucksack and get a train to events all over the country, how to cook and wash up, that he could be popular despite - or because of - being a geek, and he made an amazing circle of inspiring and ambitious friends who are all now doing really well in different fields.
If you fear having kids who know their own minds and who challenge received wisdom then Woodcraft Folk is probably not for you. Also if you want to keep them at home and fear them discovering how small and accessible the world is. They do have muesli on their camps but they also have croissants and real coffee. This does probably make them a bit middle class but then they don't make you buy a uniform the kids won't wear any other time. Nothing to fear but fear itself.

This thread is years old.

arfissimeau I was there too!

Here we are in the Malvern Hills
Boys and girls to enjoy the thrills
Of all the countryside and all the fun
Of the Woodcraft Camp in the year of the child!

Went to Woodcraft for years and loved it. Am not supple of limb like the hare but otherwise got a lot out of it. International Camp was cool despite 18m hikes in the rain.

How!

6 year old thread, people

Poo. Wanted to reminisce with some Folk

I went a few times as a child, we made rainbow and dove banners and played 'wink murder' where we were all trees apart from the evil power station.. Aged about 7, I was

I later went with a friend to try scouts. They saluted the Union Jack and marched around like soldiers. I was

I'm still not sure I've found my people

I, as an ex subs paying member of the Woodcraft Folk, can say the reason some people are scared of them is that we are part of the Co-operative movement, and the group as a whole is very left wing! However I don't remember ever having this shoved down my throat as a kid, it was more like a youth group with the occasional camping trip thrown in!
I personally think the only reason that some parents would disagree with the Folk is that the message spread by them can be seen as idealistic/ hippy (Span the world with friendship). I would have no issue sending any child of mine to this group, but that's probably me being biased as an ex member!
Hope that's made things a little clearer!

Just to point out that Guides/Brownie and Scouts have changed a lot. I believe both offer an promise without the God word if you want. There is also far less insistence on Hankies nowaday (just as well as most children wouldn't know what one was).

This shall be for a bond between us...... (I remember the whole thing)

I loved the WCF it was a bit hippy and very outdoorsey. I think there is a certain quality to adults who went to woodcraft. - (Think someone who went to india on their gap year and has lots of 'dinner party opinions' but now has a proper job, not weirdos or people who live on the fringes)

The group I went to did so much stuff, camping, bridge building, rock climbing, canoeing, gorge walking, caving, and lots more. Some of my best memories are from the The international camp of 95.

I volunteer as an elected member of General Council, meaning I'm a young person acting both as a director of The Woodcraft Folk LTD + as a trustee of the charity.

If anyone wants to talk to a real person with a few years experience with the Woodcraft Folk from the inside, give me a call and I'll be happy to help separate the gossip from the real info - Just Google my name (Luke Flegg) and you'll find my number straight away.

Basically it's not a million miles from scouts (similar format - mostly after school clubs, plus camps) though we have national campaigns and international links/partner organisations, plus affiliation with The Co-operative, etc... I'd say ideologically the main differences are that Woodies is less about bows & arrows, the queen & christianity, and more about learning about people & society, politics and the environment, mostly through activities and games (which yes, are usually more cooperative than competitive). There's nothing cultish about WF (apart from the name in my opinion!)

Hope that gives some insight. All the groups are a bit different though, so just go and check your nearest group out - call any number on the Woodcraft Folk website and they'll put you on the right tracks : ]