It originated from the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift, an organization led by ex-Scout Commissioner John Hargrave, who aimed to move away from the militaristic approach of the Scouts at that time.

In its early days, Woodcraft Folk had strong pagan and anti-capitalist emphasis, but it gradually developed its own distinct ethos.

Its core values emphasize that all members have an equal say in the decision-making process, regardless of social background, status, age, gender, or sexual orientation.

The name 'Woodcraft' was used by writer and naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton at the start of the 20th century when setting up the American proto-Scouting organisation Woodcraft Indians, and in this context meant the skill of living in the open air, close to nature.

John Hargrave admired Seton's work and aimed to revert to it and away from Baden-Powell's influence in founding the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift.

Whilst sharing many of the same historical roots as the Scouting movement, Woodcraft Folk's direct antecedent was the Kindred of the Kibbo Kift, an organisation led by ex-Scout Commissioner for Woodcraft and Camping John Hargrave, who had broken with what he considered to be the Scouts' militaristic approach in the years immediately after the First World War.

In its early days it was very similar to the Kibbo Kift, with a strong pagan and anti-capitalist emphasis, but gradually developed its own distinct ethos.

In the 1920s and 1930s it had close ties to the Co-operative Societies and to the labour, pacifist, early feminist and trade union movements, which provided a base for recruiting both adults and children and a practical focus which avoided it sharing the fates of the Kibbo Kift and Order of Woodcraft Chivalry, which both became increasingly eccentric and esoteric and were both moribund by the 1950s.

The Woodcraft Folk remained mainly based in working-class districts of industrial towns and cities, notably London, Coventry, and Sheffield, and with strong connections to the Co-operative Societies until the 1960s when it began to acquire a larger middle-class membership.

Recruitment of new members slowed in the 1990s, apparently due to Scout and Cub groups admitting girls, which removed the Woodcraft Folk's former appeal as the only organisation of its kind welcoming children of both sexes.

In the 1990s there was considerable debate within the movement, including over whether to keep or abandon the 'Folk Shirt' (a green overshirt worn with badges) and over the role of camping and other outdoor activities.

The Woodcraft Folk had traditionally attached great importance to outdoor activities and to urban children having access to the natural world, but camping has had a more peripheral role in recent years.

The history within the labour movement can be seen in the book produced by Woodcraft Folk called Fashioning a New World[9] which it commissioned for its 75th birthday.

[10] The Woodcraft Folk has always been "committed to issues of social justice, pacifism and the principles of cooperation" and described itself in 1930 as a "powerful educational instrument".

[6] A slogan of Woodcraft Folk is Span the world with friendship, it also uses "Education for Social Change" in its publicity and also constitutional documents.

The organisation welcomes all young people whether they have a religious background or none and much of its work emphasises the importance of international understanding and friendship.

[11] The principles of peace and co-operation are therefore central to everything they do and they endeavour to develop members to have an understanding of some of the issues behind global poverty and conflict in the belief in fashioning a new, better world.

The tradition is that, when said, each person raises their right hand and says in unison: This shall be for a bond between us, That we are of one blood you and I; That we shall cry peace to all, And claim kinship with every living thing; That we hate War, Sloth and Greed, And love fellowship.

Pioneers: For these things shall I strive; A keen eye; A seeing hand; A body that fails not; An arm that is strong and willing to serve; A mind that yearns to understand; A spirit that searches for the truth and loves the silent places; A heart that is courageous and bears goodwill to all men.

Let us then laugh lightly If sadness should fall, May joyous laughter Spring from us all, Helping each other We'll lighten the load, Arms linked with comrades We travel the road.

This has been changed because the pseudo-Native American origin (with the patronising attitude implicit in its use) of the word 'How' does not match Woodcraft's policy of respect for other cultures.

The organisation states that they "are proud of the fact that about half of our current General Council are young people under 25 years of age".

Groups generally meet weekly, their activities including co-operative games, drama, camping trips, craftwork, singing and dancing, as well as following an educational programme based on the organisation's aims and principles.

This organises three annual events, Winter Wonderland, Spring Awakening and DF Camp together with the AGM – Althing – and three regional, open committee meetings called Things.

The IFM-SEI links together like-minded progressive youth organisations in many parts of the world, though its strongest affiliates are in Western Europe and Latin America.

Woodcraft Folk's former general secretary Andy Piercy sat on the Control Commission of IFM-SEI until 2007. International camps where similar organisations can meet up and network are held every year in different countries.

Woodcraft Folk are members of the Stop the War Coalition and affiliated to the National Peace Council, the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) and work closely with many local CND branches.

[citation needed] Regional events are aimed at supporting local communities and traditions and reminding its members of the importance of holding onto ideals of justice, democracy, peace and co-operation.

The South West Woodcraft Folk for instance meet annually at Levellers Day and the Tolpuddle Martyrs festival.