Woodcraft Folk, the leftwing alternative to the Scouts, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The charity, which has produced alumni including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, offers a democratic, co-educational youth movement focused on political education and outdoor activities.
Founded in south London after the First World War by working-class young adults seeking a less militaristic option than the Scouts and Guides, Woodcraft Folk quickly grew with support from co-operatives and trade unions. By the late 1930s, it was recognised by the Labour party as the appropriate organisation for its members' children and held a mass camping display at Wembley Stadium.
Woodcraft Folk played a notable role in the Kindertransport, helping Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia. Its leader Henry Fair was placed on the Gestapo death list for his efforts. Over the decades, the charity has campaigned against apartheid, austerity, and war, and has boycotted Israeli products since 2010 over the Gaza blockade.
Former MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who grew up in the organisation and now serves as its chief executive, noted that Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts intimidated a 1938 camp. The charity continues to promote a blend of inclusive community, political education, and outdoor adventures, aiming to equip young people with the skills to become active citizens.
With the government announcing new funding for youth services, proponents argue Woodcraft Folk's centenary offers a blueprint for empowering young people through meaningful support and healthy risk-taking.
