Alice’s story: Becoming a Young Woodcraft Trainer My experience of Woodcraft Folk I've grown up with Woodcraft - I've attended international camps, protests against pretty much everything and played fiddle at Hamsterley's 10th birthday. During uni I drifted away from Woodcraft but after volunteering in India, I realised that global issues, helping others and all the Woodcraft morals are still really close to my heart. So I'm now an Elfin and Pioneer leader, running local group nights and providing experiences that I had growing up with Woodcraft.
Doing Young Trainer training—and using it I've always had an interest in empowering young people. I felt that Young Trainer training would equip me with the skills to get more involved in Woodcraft beyond my district in the North East. I also hoped to make new friends. On the training weekend, I got new ideas and skills. It was a very enjoyable weekend and I felt I’d achieved a great deal. I'm also applying to do an MA in Youth Work, and Young Trainers was a massive help in the application process. As a Young Trainer, I facilitated a session at the youth participation weekend at Lockerbrook, which has been one of my most enjoyable residentials yet! I learned that silliness and taking things out of the box is one of the best ways to deliver training! Seeing people’s reactions at the end of a training session is probably the best part of being a Young Trainer.
Advice for other young people who want to take on a new role? Becoming a Young Trainer opens doors to more opportunities. You should go into any new project with a lot of enthusiasm to give, but also the need to learn new things that you don't quite understand yet. The two combined and a determination to help others will make you a fantastic Young Trainer. Go in with a blank canvas because it can become anything you want it to be.