Seton instructed the children in his town in Connecticut in woodcraft – knowledge and skills of life in the woods – and based much of the group's terminology and structure on the misconceptions about Native Americans that were common in that era.

Seton's Woodcraft scheme also had a strong influence on later youth programs and organizations, particularly, the Scout Movement.

After a fallout with James E. West, Seton left the BSA in 1915 and re-established the Woodcraft Indians separately.

Seton established a program he called "Brownies" in 1921 for girls and boys ages 6–11, based on his earlier book, Woodland Tales.

Camps following the Woodcraft Program in the United States and Canada were also founded by friends and students of Seton.