For our last group night before the break for Easter, our Elfins met at Nutclough Woods for an evening of larking about, stone balancing and a campfire. It's always great when the light evenings return and we can get outside and enjoy nature - that's what Woodcraft is all about after all. Here's some of the Elfins' creations.
It's great to see the Elfins get really engrossed in activities like this, ankle deep in river water, carefully selecting and balancing their rocks. At the end, we went round the sculptures and asked the children to tell the rest of the group about what they had made. There were some interesting explanations that wouldn't have been out of place at the Turner Prize.
At the end of the session we lit a campfire - and we also created this intriguing blend of primitive and modern. The LED display had been made at the previous week's group night with help from Dave Weirdigan from LED Fantastic.
Getting outside, enjoying nature and camping have been at the heart of the Woodcraft ethos since its very early days in the 1920s. Find out more about that here. We aim to have group camps at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer. We're really lucky to have Height Gate - one of Woodcraft's camping barns - right on our doorstep and this is where we'll be going next month. Want to know more? Then read on.
Who's it for?
This is a camp for Elfins. Parents to accompany younger kids (at least one adult for 2-3 children). Siblings welcome, last year the youngest ones mainly came up for Saturday afternoon and night, which seemed to work well.
Where is it? Height Gate, a fabulous Woodcraft Folk owned camping barn in a 17th century farmhouse in the shadow of Stoodley Pike. One mile up a long, rough track from the main A646 Halifax to Todmorden Road.
How do we get there?
Details are to be finalised at the planning meeting on 29th April at the Shoulder of Mutton in Mytholmroyd. All parents are welcome to come along.
We will meet on the afternoon of Friday 16th on the lane over from Eastwood CC near the old Forest School site, around 4.30pm. We will load camping gear into cars and walk up the hill to the camping barn. The walk takes about 1hr, very steep and hilly. We can bring tents if people want to camp, or stay in dormitories. There are four or five rooms, loads of space and places to sleep.
Why should you come?
We'll have campfires, loads of happy kids milling about, play silly games, sing folky, funny songs, enjoy good company, eat good food...all within a beautiful setting,
How much does it cost?
We received a generous grant last year from the Big Lottery Fund so are able to cover the cost of the camping accommodation. We need a contribution of £10 per person (child or adult) for catering costs.
Booking is essential and only to a maximum of 30. To add your names to our email list, please email Jennifer. We are already close to capacity for this camp but there are a few places left. We will need payment asap to confirm your booking. Cheques should be made payable to Hebden Bridge Woodcraft Folk.
For more information or to book a place please call George on 07967 270722
Hello and welcome to Hebden Bridge Woodies' new web presence.
If you've ever tried to search for us on the web you'll know this is a long time coming. Hebden Bridge Woodies has been running for many years and our valley is home to Height Gate, one of national Woodcraft's camping barns.
We're going to keep this new blog up to date with all the important information for group members, their parents and other interested people.
Watch this space for news of our Elfins spring camping weekend, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May.
Blue skies (for the uninitiated, that's the Woodies sign-off).
Rob
