Forest School Camps

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Forest School Camps (FSC) is a British children's camping organisation which has been running as a separate concern since 1948. It is a volunteer-run organisation, relying on the enthusiasm from and social bonds between participants for support and staffing rather than monetary incentive.

1 Culture and history
2 Groups
3 Camps
4 External link

[edit] Culture and history

FSC was originally formed by a group of former students and teachers from a radical educational scheme called the Forest School that started in 1930 in the New Forest, but which was forced to close at the start of World War II. The Forest School had connections with a diverse range of cultures such as the Woodcraft movements, Native American cultures and the Quakers. FSC has continued this individualistic approach and has developed its own distinct culture with traditions and internal practices. Many of the traditions have developed out of physical necessity, such as the Rally, the Clan, or the Arise song, though others sprung forth from cultural and ascetic bases, such as Merry Moot, or the Camp Songs.

[edit] Groups

The people on the camp are separated into the following groups:

Pixies-Children too young to go alone, so accompanied by a parent

Elves-Children between the ages of 6 and 7

Woodlings-Children between the ages of 8 and 10

Trailseekers-Children between the ages of 11 and 13

Trackers-Children between the ages of 14 and 15

Pathfinders-Children between the ages of 16 and 18

Waywardens -Adults who require special attention due to disabilities

[edit] Camps

Each camp has a different agenda and model, set by tradition and the Camp Leader. There are several different identifiable types:

Standing camps: Set in fixed places, on a FSC campsite, the most common and popular of camps, on these camps a variety of activities take place, but there is a minimal obligation compared with mobile and work camps. They often have a theme.
Mobile & semi-mobile camps: These camps generally do not have a single fixed campsite; the characterisation as semi-mobile instead of fully mobile depends on how often the camp moves on. These camps vary wildly, ranging from simple walking or hiking to bicycle- or canoe-based mobiles, and can be based in the United Kingdom or abroad.
Cave camps: Camps with a base usually a caving hut commenly these are held in the mendips devon or yorkshire.
Work camps: These are a special form of standing camps with a work project in mind, generally an environmental project. These camps are often restricted to over 16s.
Associate Camps: These are not run by FSC, but by one of their associates, and are often family camps. These are not necessarily as consistent in culture or policy as actual FSC camps.