I am on the committee of a mountaineering club, and we face much the same problem. When I began climbing 40 years ago the natural way into it was through a club - it was the best way to meet other climbers, it was sociable, and you would benefit from climbing with a mix of backgrounds and experience. Now the youngsters prefer to meet up at climbing walls or through the internet, and many appear to be deeply suspicious of formal clubs which they see as hidebound by too many rules, and full of old farts. After some years of soul-searching how to attract younger members we've realised we're wasting our time.

My impression is that young people are still getting involved with folk music, they are just doing it their own way and don't want to be involved with the old-established folk clubs. As I recall, my own generation's attitude was much the same, which led to these clubs forming in the first place. Things move on.