Activity time: 30 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the ritual so you will be comfortable leading it. Description of Activity As participants are gathered in the circle, remind them that each being or nature spirit will introduce themselves to the Council Among the Trees-saying who they are,...

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity Invite all of the beings and nature spirits to walk back through the gateway, put on their "human masks" (by taking off their spirit masks), and return to the circle holding their spirit masks....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Drums or rattles Preparation for Activity Select an area, preferably outdoors, for the Council to take place, and designate an entry or "gateway" to the Council circle. Be sure that your chosen area is accessible to people of all ages and ability...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Container of masks from Workshop 6 Preparation for Activity Read all the activities in the ritual so you will be comfortable leading it. Description of Activity Invite everyone to get their masks from the container they placed them in at the end of...

Materials for Activity Project plan developed in the previous workshop Preparation for Activity Make preparations as detailed in the project plan. Description of Activity By this workshop, the group will have identified a project and planned the elements needed to complete the project. In this...

Materials for Activity Cloth for altar or centering table Leaf name tags from the previous workshop, plus a few blank extras, and markers Basket for name tags Preparation for Activity Place the cloth and chalice on the altar or centering table. Set the name tags in the basket with a marker nearby.

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Taking It Home Basket for name tags Preparation for Activity Download the Taking It Home section of this workshop to reflect the activities this group has done. Copy it as a handout for all participants. (You may wish to...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice lighting words and "Our Covenant" from the previous workshops Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a circle....

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Computer with Internet access Preparation for Activity Listen to the recording on the http://songsforthegreatturning.net/songs-of-gratitude/i-raise-my-arms/"… for the Great Turning website, and plan to play it...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Poems about trees Preparation for Activity Select some poems about trees such as "Open House" by Aileen Fisher and "Let the Trees Be Consulted" by John Wright found at the Trees of Strength website Read the selected poems a few times so you will be...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Art materials, such as watercolors, color pencils, markers, and drawing paper Handout 1, Poetry Prompts Pens, pencils, and writing paper Recordings of quiet, meditative music or forest sounds, and music player Preparation for Activity Set up one ta...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Pictures or photos of trees Preparation for Activity Gather pictures or photos of trees and place them on a table. Description of Activity Participants share their "special tree" with the group....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Workshop 1, Leader Resource 2, Guided Imagery - Among the Trees Preparation for Activity Practice reading the guided imagery so that you will be comfortable leading it. Description of Activity Invite participants to make themselves comfortable and...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Workshop 1, Leader Resource 1, Rise Up for Trees / Team Up for Trees Preparation for Activity Choose one version of the ice-breaker (Rise Up or Team Up) to use for this workshop. Description of Activity Once you've introduced both versions of this...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Newsprint, markers, and tape Chalice lighting words and "Our Covenant" from the previous workshop Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a circle....

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Invite anyone who helped with planning or implementing the project to participate in this reflection. Post blank newsprint. Description of Activity An important but often neglected part of any...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Taking It Home Basket for name tags Preparation for Activity Download the Taking It Home section of this workshop to reflect the activities this group has done. Copy it as a handout for all participants. (You may wish to...

Materials for Activity Cloth for altar or centering table Leaf name tags from the previous workshop, plus a few blank extras, and markers Basket for name tags Preparation for Activity Place the cloth and chalice on the altar or centering table. Set the name tags in the basket with a marker nearby.

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the activity description several times so that you will be comfortable leading. Description of Activity Invite participants to sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Ask them to close their eyes and allow the image of a tree or part of a...

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Mask-making supplies, such as construction paper, markers or paints, stones, feathers, shells, other found and recycled objects, scissors (include left-handed), glue, glue sticks, and yarn Optional: Purchased pre-made masks to which objects can be...