On Sunday May 17, over 25 Roots & Shoots New England members gathered from across the region for Peace Abbey-Palooza at The Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Mass. for a day of learning and connecting with other Roots & Shoots members. The group focused on learning how to run activities they could take back to their Roots & Shoots groups to promote peace within their group and their community year-round—culminating in the annual Roots & Shoots Day of Peace in September!

Use these Peace Abbey-Palooza activities for projects in your own Roots & Shoots group throughout the year:

Creating illustrations representing the Seven Principles of Peace from the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and having a group discussion about the seven principles—Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice and Forgiveness.

Playing Peace Games. Peace Games are a fun and easy way to have groups participate in cooperative games to practice and discuss communication, cooperation, conflict resolution and engagement. Click here to see samples of games and to purchase a Peace Games activity guide.

Creating Giant Peace Dove Puppets. As a symbol of our passion for peace, Roots & Shoots groups around the world fly Giant Peace Dove Puppets to celebrate Roots & Shoots Day of Peace and for other festivals, parades and occasions throughout the year. Learn how to make your own Giant Peace Dove Puppet, Mini Peace Doves, or check out tons of other Roots & Shoots peace project ideas!

Join us for the Roots & Shoots New England celebration of Roots & Shoots Day of Peace on September 20, 2009 at Jamaica Pond in Boston, Mass. Read about our 2008 celebration click here.

Many, many thanks to Michelle T. from Holliston R&S in Holliston, Mass. for making a donation to The Peace Abbey on behalf of Roots & Shoots, to thank them for allowing us to use their space!!