• adult to child ratios
• expected standards
• when and how to share concerns
• code of behavior for volunteers

When printed, the guide can be folded into a convenient booklet, and relevant local contacts such as your Local Safeguarding Lead can be written in the space provided.

Folding Instructions

1. Fold the sheet in half widthways
2. Cut along the dotted line, from the fold, half way to the edge of the sheet
3. Fold the sheet in quarters, along the remaining solid lines
4. Open out completely, then fold in half lengthwise
5. Open at the cut section, then collapse the sheet along the creases to create an 8-page booklet

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Take a few moments to read our guidance to give you an idea what you can expect, and what will be expected of you. This will really help you to get the most from your experience.

Whether you’re camping under canvas or staying in one of our residential centres, there’s lots about the way we camp as a group which may be new to you – this guidance introduces Woodcraft Folk’s approach to:

• mealtimes
• chores and ‘clans’
• programme activities
• free time for adults and children
• staying safe
• working together

Most volunteers will attend a shorter, usually local, camp for their first time away with a group. Larger camps, such as our International Camps or UK-wide Venturer Camp are much more involved, with plans taking shape over months or even years!

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Woodcraft Folk’s Outcomes Matrix is designed to help translate these big ideas into outcomes that leaders can use as a basis for activities, by identifying age-appropriate knowledge, understanding and abilities linked to each of our aims & principles.
These are intended as a guide for volunteers, and the individual needs of groups will vary. You might often choose to revisit the outcomes from younger age groups, although the activities you choose to explore these may be different.

Using outcomes for programme planning

There are many ways to use this document to guide activity planning in your group. You might choose to take one of the themes as a common thread to run through a whole term’s programme, and run activities to meet each of the outcomes for the age group you are working with. An alternative approach would be to ensure that your group completes an activity from each column over the course of a year, ensuring that your programme touches on each of Woodcraft Folk’s aims & principles.

You can download both a print-friendly version and a colour-coded version of the outcomes document from this page for use with your group.

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On behalf of the Board, Pip expressed appreciation for the hard work of volunteers and staff across the organisation who had worked to maintain activities, groups, centres and projects throughout the last 18 months.

Pip and Debs shared recent highlights with the meeting, including:

• thirteen new groups registered, including a number of new DF groups
• the conclusion of the Ingenious project, funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, which saw volunteers working in engineering deliver sessions to schools and Woodcraft Folk groups addressing solutions to the climate crisis
• grant funding obtained from the Julia & Hans Rausing Trust to support the successful reopening of Woodcraft Folk’s outdoor centres
• the success of the summer outreach programme delivered in Hammersmith & Fulham as part of the Holiday Activities & Food programme
• welcoming new members to the staff team, including Tracy Cleveland (Cudham Centre Co-ordinator), Millie Burgh (Common Ground Assistant), and Kay Millard (Centres Administrator)

Pauliina Keinanen, Common Ground Project Manager, joined the call to give an update on the progress of plans for Common Ground in summer 2022. Pauliina shared an appeal for experienced volunteers who would be willing to buddy up with groups coming to a large camp for the first time.

The recording of the session can be watched back on Woodcraft Folk’s YouTube channel.

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Before starting screening checks all volunteers need to become members of Woodcraft Folk through the Groop system. New volunteers will then receive further instructions by email on the screening checks they need to complete:

Criminal Record Checks

Background checks (also known as Disclosures) are a key part of Woodcraft Folk’s screening of potential volunteers. This will involve Woodcraft Folk accessing information on previous criminal convictions and other relevant information that may affect a person’s suitability to volunteer.

In England and Wales this is done by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Woodcraft Folk uses an online application system provided by First Advantage. Visit our DBS information to find out more and get started with your application.

In Scotland, background checks are provided by through the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme provided by Disclosure Scotland. The online application process for a PVG has to be started by the local membership secretary – the applicant will then receive an email from Disclosure Scotland with further instructions. For more information on the online PVG process and how to apply click here.

Please note that a criminal record is not necessarily a barrier to volunteering, although in some circumstances more information and/or a detailed risk assessment may be required. For more information, please see Woodcraft Folk’s Screening & Vetting Procedures and Recruitment of Ex-offenders Policy.

References

All new volunteers supporting Woodcraft Folk activities on a regular basis will be asked to provide the details of two people who can supply a reference, commenting on their suitability for the role. At least one of these should not be a part of Woodcraft Folk. New volunteers should ask their referees to provide a reference via our online form.

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Our core age groups are Elfins (age 6 to 9), Pioneers (age 10 to 12), and Venturers (age 13 to 15). Younger children can join a Woodchip group, and from 16 young members can participate in District Fellowship activities. Find out about all our age groups here.

Find and contact your local group with our group finder.

How many groups are there?

We currently have about 300 groups meeting around the country. Find your local group using our group finder.

What do groups get up to?

Groups normally meet weekly, and will offer a mix of craft, games, discussion, music, drama, bushcraft and social action activities. Visit our Activities catalogue for examples of our group activities. Additionally, most will organise regular camps and residential trips, which may involve activities such as hiking, orienteering or watersports.

Do I need to be involved in running the group?

While many of the volunteers who run our groups are parents/carers of children that attend, many are not. It’s not compulsory that you help out, but we can only run our groups with the support of volunteers. If you’ve got the time to help, there’ll be a role for you. See our Volunteering page for more information, whether you’d like to help with activity sessions or support the group behind the scenes.

What does it cost?

Groups typically make a small charge to cover the cost of premises, equipment and other expenses. Usually this is around £2 to £3 per week, or the equivalent paid monthly or termly. We don’t want cost to be a barrier to young people accessing our activities. Therefore some groups invite voluntary donations on a ‘pay what you can’ basis instead. Contact your local group for more information.

Is there a uniform?

We don’t require members to wear a uniform. However, many young people and adults choose to wear Woodcraft Folk’s branded t-shirts, shirts or hoodies for activities and trips. We print these shirt on demand, using soft organic cotton and renewable energy – available from our online shop.

Can you cater for my child’s additional needs?

We want to make Woodcraft Folk accessible for all young people who would like to be involved. Our volunteers have lots of experience of supporting young members with a range of additional needs – it’s best to discuss your child’s needs with the leaders in your local group.

How does Woodcraft Folk keep young people safe?

Woodcraft Folk’s Safeguarding Policy sets out how we safeguard our young members, in line with our legal responsibilities and our commitment to children’s rights. We screen and train our volunteers and risk assess activities and trips. Every group has a local safeguarding lead to act as a point of contact for concerns or queries.

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