Woodcraft Folk Statement On The Children's Plan

Published on Tuesday December 11 2007

The Woodcraft Folk welcomes the announcement today of the Government’s Children’s Plan. We particularly welcome the underlying principle that "children and young people need to enjoy their childhood as well as grow up prepared for adult life", a principle that has driven the work of the Woodcraft Folk since 1925.

We are also particularly pleased to see the Government’s recognition that it is vital for children aged 8-13 to have open public spaces in which to play and let off steam. The Woodcraft Folk has always believed in the importance of outdoor education and in recent years that has moved from traditional camping activities to embrace two projects in South London and the Wirral that work to provide open access play during school holidays for children in these areas, regardless of their background.

Using existing playground facilities, many of them in less than perfect condition, these projects enable local communities to reclaim areas that may have otherwise have been lost for a generation. Children are free to play and be creative under the supervision of fully-trained staff and volunteers. The unstructured nature of the activities allows children to express themselves to the full, and we would urge the Government to take on board this example of the positive and reinforcing power of play in the lives of children.

We are also pleased to see the commitment to providing more places to go and things to do for children and young people, and we urge the Government to work in partnership with those organisations that have many years’ experience in engaging children and young people and promoting active citizenship to deliver those projects in their local communities.

We welcome the aspirations underpinning the goals for 2010 and we look forward to continuing our contribution to ensuring that by 2010 "all young people participat(e) in positive activities to develop personal and social skills, promote wellbeing and reduce behaviour that puts them at risk".