Follow the Trail ...................... a general introduction

Follow the Trail has been developed as a means of all of us in the Woodcraft Folk asking ourselves three basic questions:

Follow the Trail is a programme that sets out to involve everyone in finding answers to those questions. It is the Woodcraft Folk version of a well-respected standards framework called Hear by Right, run by the National Youth Agency. Hear by Right asks how much children and young people participate in all aspects and at all levels within an organisation. It then offers a route to plan improvements where needed.

The programme includes Follow the Trail activities for Elfins and Pioneers , which can easily be adapted for Venturer, DFs and other adults. What we learn from them is recorded in many ways - everything from group photos to graffiti walls and phone videos to form filling. You are encouraged to be as creative as you can.

~ Above all we want following the trail to be fun ~

Follow the Trail should help us all feel confident about what the organisation stands for and about the Woodcraft way of doing things. At the heart of Woodcraft Folk's aims, principles and practice is a commitment to participation from all our members, both young and old. Finding out whether all the children and young people are taking part in Woodcraft Folk as fully as they want to and doing something about it if they are not are our most vital tasks. Their full participation sets the standard for everything else we do!

When following the trail it is essential that the younger age groups understand what they are taking part in. They need to know that what they are saying will be recorded. Other people will read about what they have said and done in these sessions and might make decisions about what to do differently because of what they have said! If they have ideas about other ways things could be done in the group, now is the time to say it.

What the children, young people, volunteers, parents and leaders have to say about how we organise and what we can do to improve it is collected in at the district/lone group level. One or two people will receive training in how to map out the information gathered using a tool we provide. The map covers standards across seven aspects of the organisation. After that plans are made for making any changes you need.

Discuss signing up to the Follow the Trail programme in your district. When you are ready apply to do so using a District Expression of Interest Form

We also provide mentors trained to help you through the process. They will offer support to the person or people identified as mappers. If you would like to become a mapper or mentor contact dsecretary@woodcraft.org.uk