Group Nights underpin all the activities of the Woodcraft Folk.
Weekly attendance allows children to learn and understand the aims and the principles of the Woodcraft Folk, for friendship groups to flourish and for the children and the leaders to get to know each other.
- Attendance
Groups run weekly based on the London Borough of Ealing school term times.
The groups are provided for the following age ranges:
Woodchips ages 3-5 - these groups are offered only when there are sufficient leaders and demand
Elfins ages 6-9
Pioneers ages 10 – 12
Venturers ages 13-15
DFs (District Fellows) ages 16-20 (self-directed group)
Children are expected to attend every week and parents are expected to ensure that their child is safely handed over into the care of a Woodcraft leader and collected in person. This applies particularly to Woodchips, Elfins and Pioneers.
If a parent would like their child to travel independently to and from the group night, please can you notify the Group Leader in advance. Similarly if a parent has arranged for another parent or individual to transport their child.
Parents are expected to deliver and collect their children on time as this has an implication for the activities planned for the session and can disrupt the smooth working of the groups.
If for any reason you are running late and unable to collect your child on time please can you send a text message to the Group Leader with your estimated time of arrival. If your child has not been collected within 15 minutes of the stipulated end time and no message has been received the Group Leader will contact all the numbers which have been provided on the child's Health Form to try to find someone to collect the child.
- Payment of weekly donation
The District has to pay for the venue and other overheads such as registration with National Woodcraft Folk. Therefore , we would ask that once a child commits to attending that the donation covers every week of the term, regardless of actual attendance. Donations can be paid, weekly, half -termly or termly.
Please see the District pricing policy for guidance on the amount of donation.
- Behaviour
Children and adults are expected to behave with respect and consideration for others. Please see the District Code of Conduct (within the Child Protection Policy Statement).
At Group Nights we operate a Red and Yellow card system to manage behaviour. Please see Behaviour Policy for details.
- Parent involvement
Woodcraft encourages and relies on parental involvement in all activities and other aspects of administration etc. Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate regularly in the Group Night sessions and ideas for topics for sessions are always well received.
- Adult membership
All people over the age of 16 who regularly participate in any Woodcraft activity are required to become Full Members, for safeguarding and insurance purposes.
Group Leaders will provide membership forms on request.
- Attendance at other Folk Activities
The District also offers access to a range of other activities throughout the year. These include:
- Camps – District, London wide and National
- Hikes
- Ice-skating
- Socials
As stated Group Nights underpin the sustainability of the District. Consequently attendance at all the above activities is dependent on the child's regular attendance at Group Night.
Sometimes there may be a case for a temporary exception to this rule. If a parent would like the District to consider an exception the request should be put to the Group Leader for discussion at the next monthly District meeting. Parents are welcome to attend the District meeting to explain their case or it can be presented by the Group Leader.
The District meeting will consider the needs of the child, reasons for the exemption, the timescales involved and likely impact of the exemption on the sustainability of the group.
Any exemptions would be time limited and reviewed regularly.
The Keeper of Keepers will notify the parent of the outcome of the discussion.