Many different ceremonies and creeds have been used in the Woodcraft Folk since it's foundation in 1925. They have been used to give Woodcrafters a sense of togetherness and common purpose. They also add a little poetry and magic to the movement that children will remember throughout their lives. Personally I will never forget the first time I was woken up at camp to the call of morning cry or when I first learnt the envoi such is the potency of their meaning.
Used well these ceremonies can be a useful tool in creating a sense of identity for a Woodcraft Folk group.
Envoi Fire Ceremonies Wapenshaw Others
There have been several versions of the Woodcraft creed in its 75 year history. There were versions for the Elfin, Pioneer and Venturer age groups yet they differed so causing a lack of unity. Within one of the creeds was written as an envoi to a piece of writing by William Morris and not by a member of the Woodcraft Folk. The Envoi has now replaced all the other creeds of the other age groups and is used as the creed said by all Woodcraft members. The creed is said on all sorts of occasions, from the closing of a group night, opening a council circle etc.
This
shall be for a bond between us
That we are of one blood you and I
That we have cried peace to all and claimed kinship with every living thing.
That we hate war sloth and greed and love fellowship
And that we shall go singing to the fashioning of a new world.
Motemaster:
Make ready the fire O’keeper.
Fire Keeper:
The council fire I make, see the spark O my brothers, the spark is in your hearts may it burn forever.
See the flame O my brothers, may it burn forever. The flame is in your hearts, may it never die.
Behold the fire, I have lit the
fire of fellowship upon the camp stead within the council circle, it is the fire
of Woodcraft.
Motemaster:
Behold the fire.
Are there any here who bring greetings?
(Greetings from participating groups or clans.)
It is well!
Greetings and smooth trailing from the people of the earth. Let us now gather round the fire and make merry according to tradition. We have lit the fire of Woodcraft upon the campstead, this is the fire that primitive man worshiped, this is the fire that men of all ages and peoples have sat and deliberated or made merry according to desire, this is the fire that assisted man in his evolution.
Let us who carry the torch of Woodcraft, let us who will develop are bodies and minds in strength, grace and suppleness for the service of the people gather round the fire. Cherish in your hearts the sacred fire of life; the flame is in your hearts.
All:
The fire shall never die.
Motemaster:
Peace and good will to all men. Herald proclaims ye the law.
Herald:
List, O Woodcraft Folk for this is the law of the fellowship I proclaim. Learn to grow strong like the pine. Keep yourself supple and clean, read from the great book of nature, be hearty, happy and keen.
Work when there is work to be done, be helpful to all those in need, be faithful and true to your word, and pure in thought word and deed. I have spoken.
Keeper of the Fire:
Now doth
the blackness of the night encircle us and the night wind whisper in the
larches.
Now doth the dark enfold us like a cloak and the earth is still, save for the
owls and the beasts that hunt.
And we, the Woodcraft Folk, have assembled in festivity from the setting of the
sun.
Now the flames flicker and die and the ashes grow gray upon the Folkstead.
Camp Chief:
To your
tents, O Woodcrafters, and may stillness ride ride over the camp.
May ye sleep and rise refreshed and when the light sparkles on the dew wet
grass.
Peace ! Peace be to all.
All:
Peace !
(All sing the Camp Fire Carol)
(Words by Leslie Paul)
Leap high,
O golden flame, the day is dead,
Give warmth and cheer, O flame, the sun has fled,
Stoutly your gleam maintain, youths not abed
Ring out your hearts refrain, goodwill to all.
No droops
the crimson flower 'neath silent skies,
Flickers the crimson flower, flickers and dies,
These merry singing hours, a swift-flown prize,
Pass whilst the soft dew showers, goodwill to all.
Envoi.
Peace to
the strong, the thinking and the free,
Peace when the torch has set young Britain free,
Peace into all, peace unto all.
Some Woodcrafters (and I include myself in this) may find it odd to describe Wapenshaw as a Woodcraft Ceremony, however, when thinking about it I could find no better way of describing it.
The Wapenshaw is the only way of ensuring that the younger children keep tents clean and don’t loose all their gears. It is an event on most Woodcraft camps (certainly in our district) that happens naturally as it is a long running tradition which has become integral to the camps. All of the campers take part (children and leaders alike) and whilst it is not carried out with authoritative pressure, those who do not take part are put under social pressure by other children (especially if sharing a tent). All of this appears to me at least (along with the special name) to have ceremonial attributes and so I will portray it to those not part of the Folk as a ceremony.
Morning Wapenshaw
Morning Wapenshaw is done outside if the weather is dry. The children's
belongings are laid out neatly on their groundsheets in front of the tents. If
the weather is wet everything is left inside not touching the inner to ensure
the tent doesn’t leak..
Evening Wapenshaw
Evening Wapenshaw is for the children to lay out their sleeping bags, bed
clothes torches etc. before it gets dark or campfire begins so as to prevent
confusion when they go to bed.
Despite memories of having to do Wapenshaw as an Elfin and always being reluctant to stop playing all the games and come and tidy my tent I have found it a useful lesson in organisation and my mum always sings its praises as my room always remains tidy (well most of the time).
The morning cry and silence cry should be self explanatory and occurs on all district camps.
Herald:
All ye who
dwell within this camp give ear
Awake, Arise !
For the earth has cast off the black cap of night and is arrayed in the white
garments of day
All ye who dwell within this camp
Awake, Arise !
Herald:
All ye
whose eyes are not yet closed in sleep, give ear.
Let silence reign o'er the camp.
Let no sound or voice disturb the stillness of the night
'Til morning cry.
This is the ceremony mainly used at the end of the weekly group meeting. The Folk Marshall is one of the adult group leaders and the Herald should be appointed from among the children. In Harrow this is done on a rotating basis to give all of the children a go.
Folk Marshall:
Now the
time has come when we must part and go our ways to our workshops and our desks.
May we remember the joys of kinship and look forward to our reunion.
Peace and goodwill to all
Herald ! Proclaim ye the Law.
Herald:
List, O
Woodcraft Folk, for it is the Law of Fellowship I proclaim.
Learn to grow strong like the Pine
Keep yourself supple and clean,
Read from the great book of nature, be hearty, happy and keen.
Work when there is work to be done, be helpful to those in need,
Be faithful and true to your word, and pure in thought word and deed.
I have spoken.
Folk Marshall:
Go ye your
ways and may the Spirit of Woodcraft help you in all your works,
Be loyal to our cause and faithful to your friends
Be Strong ! Live Kindly ! Love the Sun and Follow the Trail !
I have spoken.