Traditions and Ceremonies

Woodcraft camps are topically full of traditions and ceremony. These vary from group to group and a lot of the older ceremonies have fallen out of use. Bellow is a quick guide to a traditional camp day

Morning Cry

Morning Cry is called by the herald and is the signal for people to get up and ready form breakfast. Often the breakfast clan will already be up and in he kitchen

All Yee who dwell within this camp give ear.
Awake, arise for the earth has cast of the dark cap of night
and is arrayed in the bright garments of day
All yee who dwell within this camp awake arise

Heralds Calls

The herald is the town crier for the camp and make general announcements and calls people together throughout the day. Most of the heralds calls start "All yee who dwell within this camp give ear. This is a signal for everyone in the camp to listen for the instructions, particular mugs up.

Wapenshaw

Wapenshaw is a tent tidy, it's also a good time to make sure that children haven't lost anything and that everybody's belongings are dry. On dry days all the contents of the tent are brought out onto a groundsheet in from of the tents. Clothes should be packed in bags, sleeping bags brought out to air and towels laid out to dry. The front of the tent is then left open to air it out. On wet days tents should be tidied and everything kept away form the edges where it could get wet.

Council Circle

This is the time when the whole camp comes together to discuss and issues which have arisen and let people know the plan for the day. Often this will start with everybody saying the envoi followed by a quick round up from the camp office holders (KP, KG, etc.) and time should be allowed for everyone to express their opinions. Finally the Folk Marshall will let people know the programme for the day.

Shorter council circles may be called through the day to pass on messages or regroup for a new activity.

Evening Wapenshaw

Another quick tent tidy to make sure everything is ready for going to bed. Sleeping bags should be laid out and pyjamas, torches, washing things all be ready where they can easily be found in the dark

Firelighting Ceremony

Motemaster: Make ready the fire, O keeper.

Keeper of the council fire: The Council Fire I make, See the spark, O my comrades, The spark is in your hearts, May it burn for ever. See the Flame O my comrades May it burn for ever. The Flame is in your hearts, May it never die. Behold the Fire I have lit the fire of Fellowship Upon the Campstead Within the Council Circle It is the Fire of Woodcraft. Feed it, O my comrades, with the Tree of Knowledge. The Fire is in your hearts The fire shall never die. I have spoken.

Motemaster: Behold the Fire. Are there any here who bring greetings ? (Greetings from participating Groups or Clans) It is well ! Greetings and smooth trailings to the peoples 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 our ancestors worshipped, This is the fire round which People of all ages and places Have sat and deliberated or made merry According to desire, This is the fire that assisted us in our evolution. Let us who carry the torch of Woodcraft, Let us who will develop ourselves for the service of the people, Gather round the fire, Cherish in your hearts the fire of life, The Flame is in your hearts.

All: The Fire shall never die.

Motemaster: 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 where 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.

Merrymoot

The singing and entertainment that usually happen on an evening at camp. This can either be around the campfire or on wetter nights inside the marquee. This often involves storytelling and performances form the children as well as singing.

Silence Cry

This is the signal to that camp that it's time to be quiet as people are sleeping, it tends only to be used when the majority of the camp is going to be at the same time. Otherwise providing a space to talk away form the tens and quick reminder that people are sleeping is probably better.

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.