History

How the (national) Woodcraft Folk began

Just after the First World War one of the leading figures in the Scouting movement broke away from what he considered to be its militaristic approach and formed the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift.

​Kibbo Kift included people of all ages, not just youths, and was open to both sexes. John Hargrave, who founded it, believed the open-air life would help urban people build a new world peace.

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Becoming the Woodcraft Folk

But not all members agreed with Hargrave's leadership and in 1924, led by 19-year-old Leslie Paul, some co-operative groups from South London broke away and set up their own organisation, calling it The Woodcraft Folk. It had similarities to the Kibbo Kift, but gradually developed its own character and ethos.

Now

The Woodcraft Folk have gone from strength to strength and there are now around 400 groups in the UK. 

The founding principles are still very much a part of what we do at Woodcraft Dundee with time outdoors and social awareness seen as very beneficial for children and young people. 

Woodcraft continues to be a non religious, non gendered, non discriminatory organisation.