Ten Tips for Folk Marshals

10. Try to get an idea of what the groups coming to camp have done recently. What worked and what didn't. Try to avoid too much repetition

9. Make items which can be used through the rest of the camp. Try tie dying bandanas to keep off the sun, or making kites or other games to play

8. Have a wet weather backup plan. Things like origami and making friendship bands seem to go down well and are good in a small hostel

7. If you are planning a walk find out how far the children are used to going. Remember walking with a large group takes a lot longer than with a couple of children.

6. Have a few activities planned which you can run as drop in sessions in the free time, these don't all need to be craft activities. Having a few games ready to play can be a good diversion if things start getting tough.

5. Don't feel that every activity has to be educational, its fine to make something just for fun and the children will be learning lots about woodcraft and co-operation just by being at camp.

4. Have some equipment always available such as pens, paper, scissors, bats and balls. Make sure it has a clear space to be put away (such as a box it the marquee)

3. Check out the area in advance. Look out for good local walks and features (e.g. space in the woods to play games) as well as things which would make some activities difficult (e.g. electricity pylons would make kite flying dangerous). For hostels particularly how much communal space is there to run activities in the rain.

2. Mix up the age groups, camps can be one of the few times that younger children get to meet up with older woodcrafters and the older ones often enjoy passing on skills that they themselves learnt at camp.

1. Last but not least don't over programme. It's all to easy especially on a short trip to try and cram everything in but everyone needs some downtime including the Folk Marshal.