Woodcraft Walking Extravaganza!
May bank holiday weekend was a special one for DFs, as the first shared event between DFs and Kinsfolk – the mighty walking extravaganza – took place. The first of its kind, it was indeed a spectacular event, set in Borrowdale in the Lake District, an absolutely stunning-stunning-stunningly! beautiful location.
The Dinah Hoggus camping barn in Rosthwaite was cosy and had a very cool roof albeit with a dangerously head-height beam! 8 DFs and 2 Kinsfolk gradually came together to hot, delicious soup and baffling card tricks late at night on the Friday, before snuggling up in sleeping bags on a carpet of mattresses.
DAY 1
BAAAAaaa! Awoken by sheep in the surrounding fields (all supposedly calling Kit’s name), we eventually got on the path with games, cheery singing, pooh sticks and packed lunches- with fantastical and inventive combinations of Marmite, houmous and cheese.
The plan for day 1 was a circular walk up Dale Head and High Spy. We were there to walk, and walk we did! Yep, there was lottts of walking. And a lot of good company, conversation, weather and chocolate!
At the top of Dale Head there was an incredible view accompanied by kite flying, followed by plenty of running downhill! Either for the comic chasing and catching of stray rubbish or purely for the adrenalin rush of running right down into the valley. It was a fantastic day, with hot sunshine, heather, tarns and hard walking. We arrived back completely knackered, after unplanned scrambles and twists from the path – dipping hot feet into the stream next to the camping barn to cool off. Some brave souls even swimming and bearing the freezing water completely!
Sunday, likewise, was another great walk, this time up High Tove – boggier and slightly rainier, but with the surprise added bonus of a coffee shop stop. The evening ran on to maths problems and tower building; from cards to salt and pepper pots to pint glasses!
Putting aside the blisters and sore legs – it was great to get DFs and Kinsfolk together – makes you wonder why this hasn’t happened sooner! It was good to see other woodies at the weekend too; we were definitely spanning the Lake District with friendship.
The overwhelming joy and energy of being outside and close to massive mountains and things so real and natural was immense – when I first got there I know I just couldn’t get a smile off my face. Cooking was done on a brilliantly built campfire and it was definitely a weekend of living close to nature – doing what Woodies do best! I simply cannot describe how awesome the weekend was, try as I have. All I can say is come to the next one! 
Thanks very much to Jack, Miriam, Kit and all those who organised and helped out!
More To Come
Although the event fell short of breaking even, the idea is for another Walking Extravaganza around autumn time. Remember this was the first event of its kind – DF Style events open to all members of Woodcraft Folk over 16. The hope is to get a real stir in the Kinsfolk community and spark a new age of young adult involvement that will build DFs and the movement as a whole.
As we speak Rawsley and Jo are widely consulting on the upper age ranges of the woodcraft folk. Possibly sugesting a change to DF’s age bracket or Committee structure – who knows? If you have an opinion to share get in touch with them using the contact us page.
To Make sure you’re at the next walking event keep a look out on the website or even get involved with organising it by dropping a line to Cara.
