25 young people from London, Leeds, Manchester, Todmorden, Newcastle, Derby and Sheffield attended, for some this was the first time they had taken part in Woodcraft Folk activities and for others, the young people were experienced Woodcraft Folk campers. 

During the weekend, the young people took part in a range of engaging and educational activities including a night walk to see the stars; a particular highlight for the group being able to spot Jupiter sparkling next to the moon!

On the Saturday, the participants all had the opportunity to take part in crate stacking, a gutter run cooperative challenge where they had to get a ball across the courtyard without touching it and a nightline activity where the group had to cooperate to guide each other whilst blindfolded along a course through the forest. 

Everyone was involved in the preparation, serving, eating and washing up from meals creating a community spirit!

The participants all took part in an interactive quiz on the Saturday evening where they worked together to answer questions about the world around us and their time at Lockerbrook. The group also enjoyed free time where they could play cards, table tennis and have time to read and chat with friends. Sunday saw the group enjoy a walk along the Derwent Reservoir and enjoying a packed lunch in the natural beauty around the centre. 

This event was the last Camps for All event of 2023.

Woodcraft Folk’s Programme Manager Lauren Karstadt says:

“It has been fantastic to engage so many new young people at our events this year as well as bring brilliant experiences to our existing young members. Camps for All have seen young people from all over the country come together, make friends, find common ground and enjoy adventurous and fun activities.” 

Find out more about Woodcraft Folk’s Camps for All events in 2024 here. The events are becoming increasingly popular as they gain awareness, with the last two being fully booked so make sure to secure your young persons place in advance to avoid disappointment!

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Participants aged 10 – 15 and came from across the country from Leeds, London, Oxford, Banbury, Aberystwyth and Cheltenham to attend the event. The group was made up of experienced Woodcraft Folk members who attend a local group as well as new members of the organisation, for some of which, this was their first experience camping with Woodcraft Folk. The group stayed in the Burrow and on Sunday, the rain held off long enough for the group to eat lunch with the roof open thanks to the buildings retractable roof features!

Over the weekend the young people took part in a canoe journey down the river, a walk through the beautiful ancient forest, bushcraft activities, exploring caves close to the site, campfires, games and making new friends.

The autumn weather brought some rain so the group also got to enjoy some downtime to play card games, board games and drawing games together. It may have been a bit wet but it was a good time for friendships to be formed.

The bushcraft sessions were led by Stuart, an experienced Bushcraft Leader who is also part of the Woodcraft Folk Bushcraft Team. Stuart supported the group to make catapults using intricate knife skills and knot tying. Some of the group also used fire strikers to light small fires and make hot chocolate using a Ghillie Kettle.

“I was really proud of my catapult because it took me a long time to get the bark off of the wood to make the handle” – participant age 10. 

The weekend was supported by Woodcraft Folk’s Programme Manager and volunteers from across the South West Region. 

Camps for All heads to its final location in 2023 this November at Woodcraft Folk’s Lockerbrook Farm Residential Centre. Due to popular demand, a number of 2024 dates are also already available to book for Camps for All. Find out more and book onto upcoming camps here.

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In the beautiful sunshine, at Height Gate, the participants all took part in pizza making, firelighting, weasling, making survival bracelets, a walk to Stoodley Pike, cooperative games and challenges with new friends.

Whilst firelighting, small groups had the challenge of keeping their fires lit for 15 minutes, all groups succeeded and used new techniques to feed the fire. Some of the groups even made a piece of toast on their small fires. This is one of the benefits of Camps for All, as well as it being fun for participants and a chance to make new friends, they leave having learnt new skills.

“It was so fun to keep our fire alive for 15 minutes and I’ll always remember when it went dark walking up Stoodley Pike” – Participant age 12. 

The weasling activity involved a mix of rock climbing and caving. The young participants worked together to motivate each other and encourage their friends to try new experiences. The weasling was led by Height Gate Centre Coordinator Andy who said “it was great to see all of the young people give everything a go, if some could see their friends were worried, they gave them reassurance”. 

During the evenings, the group took part in a campfire, roasting marshmallows and other campfire treats and cooperative games and challenges. 

Whilst at Height Gate everyone learnt something new and got to know new people, taking away memories to last a lifetime. Those who hadn’t been to Woodcraft Folk before, were warmly welcomed and guided by those who have had a lot of experience of Woodcraft Folk activities and residential events which was wonderful to see. 

Camps for All events later in the year include weekends at Biblins Youth Campsite and Lockerbrook Farm Outdoor Centre in October and November. Find out more and book here. 

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Part of the weekend saw the group take part in adventurous activities such as crate stacking and rock climbing as well as cooperative challenges such as getting a rope around each other in the quickest time!

Participants (and leaders) took part in a blindfold trail in the woods and worked together to get their small groups across the course. All of the activities were a great way for the group to get to know each other, learn new skills and build resilience (especially in the rain!).

The group played games together and in the evenings the activities didn’t stop with a night walk on the first night and an interactive quiz night on the final night of the residential.

During the weekend, the group took part in ‘clans’ where everyone was able to play a part in the preparation, cooking and washing up of each meal. “I really liked the eggy bread” – Participant, age 12.

The residential was led by Woodcraft Folk staff, ESC volunteers and the tea was supported by two DFs (age 17) who helped to deliver the games, quiz and other activities. “I will remember doing the activities in the rain and working collaboratively with my groups” – Holina, age 17. 

The residential finished with a walk down the Derwent reservoir which can be seen from the centre.

Woodcraft Folk staff and volunteers are already preparing for the next event which will take place at Cudham Environmental Activities Centre 17 – 19 Feb – sign up now or register to hear about future camps.

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Facilitated by Development Officer Lauren and Woodcraft Folk’s wonderful team of ESC volunteers Sandra, Eva and Luisa, the camp was the first of the ‘Camps for All’ series happening over 2022. Camps for All aims to support a new idea of how to bring brilliant experiences to young people who are not (yet) members of Woodcraft Folk and do not attend a weekly group nights. 

The group, who were all first time Woodcraft Folk campers enjoyed the usual experiences that a camp can bring: campfires, cooking together, washing up, bushcraft and games as well as an extremely scenic (and a little windy) canoe down the river Wye into Monmouth.

After the canoeing, the group walked back to the campsite with a refreshing ice cream and saw cows, sheep and many different types of birds, insects and other animals on the journey.

The group stayed in the special Burrow accommodation and all were amazed and impressed by the sliding roof, especially as the sun was shining for most of the weekend. Everyone enjoyed toasting their marshmallows on the roaring campfire after whittling the perfect marshmallow stick. “I ate my marshmallow in 7 layers!” – Ti, aged 11.

All of the participants explored some of Woodcraft Folk’s aims and principles including cooperation and working together during cooking, canoeing and onsite orienteering.

If you or someone you know is aged 10-15 and interested in having great fun, meeting new people and exploring the social and natural world around us, check out the information about our upcoming October residential at Lockerbrook Farm Outdoor Centre here

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This year Woodcraft Folk are organising two exciting camps for young people (aged 10-15) as part of their ‘Camps for All’ initiative. Whether you are new to Woodcraft Folk or a long standing member, the organisation want young people from all areas of the UK and all backgrounds to join them at the camps!

The camps will be led by Woodcraft Folk’s experienced staff and volunteers where attendees will explore the camps surrounding areas of natural beauty, play co-operative games, make new friendships, take part in educational workshops, enjoy adventurous activities and spend evenings chilling around the campfire.

The first camp runs from 10 – 12 June at the idyllic Biblins Youth Campsite located on a stunning 18 acre site that sits along the Wye river and is surrounded by ancient woodland with lots for kids to explore and do. The campsite is managed by Woodcraft Folk and the participants will be staying in the unique burrow building which is set into the hillside. The second camp is 22 – 24 October at Lockerbrook Farm outdoor centre located in the breath-taking Peak District National Park. The centre overlooks the Ladybower reservoir and is the perfect location for adventure fuelled fun!

With activities on offer such as canoeing, bushcraft and crate stacking those attending have plenty to enjoy and will come away with memories to last a lifetime. 

For members that sign up there is a discount and for non members who sign up to the camp their fee also includes an annual subscription to Woodcraft Folk!

Booking closes when spaces are filled so book soon to avoid disappointment!

Don’t miss out! Find out more and register your interest here >>> https://woodcraft.org.uk/projects-campaigns/camps-for-all

If you have any questions, please email Lauren at lauren.karstadt@woodcraft.org.uk

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