I would say the same thing about the scouts and the cadet forces though.
I do hope that my comment about the Scouts charter has not been taken the wrong way. Scouts may have moved with the times, but I'm not aware that their charter has ever been changed. They were established during a time of Empire and their charter reflects this.
The woodcraft folk was established after WWI when many were deeply affected by that war. It was established as a pacifist organization, which makes the joke of "paramilitary" just a joke.
It's true that most of them are left wing, but it's not a requirement.
Finally, while they have always received funds from co-operatives they also for some 30 years received funds from the government. Though that ended in "the year of the volunteer".
I believe the American Boy scouts insist their members believe in God.
The best outdoor book I have ever possessed was "the Way to Camp" by the Woodcraft Folk I do not remember the Author, but it covered camping, building shelters , styles of fires, how to make sheaths for knives and also rucksacks and tents etc.,
Covering navigation and many aspects of outdoor activities. As a Scout and Venture Scout leader it gave me lots of inspiration, and was well illustrated.. I gave it to a young friend some time ago, and wish I had held on to it.
I think the inclusive open-to-everyone nature of the Woodcraft folk is a major strength.
I believe the American Boy scouts insist their members believe in God.
The cadets required a promise to serve unit and Queen loyally. I personally didn't have a problem with that promise, seeing the queen as a symbolic figurehead of a democratic country but I though it was a shame that anyone who disapproved of the monarchy could in theory be denied the opportunities the cadets have to offer.
The scouts have obviously moved on from the original edition of 'Scouting for Boys' which I think had some scary jingoism mixed in with the good advice on altruism and self-respect.
I guess the cadets have moved on too. Girls have been able to join for many years. I remember we used to shoot at targets depicting a charging soldier but I think now only bullseye targets are used, and quite right too, in my view.
Hope I'm not straying too far towards the forbidden topic of politics.