Children's Peace Festival

Please be sure to join us here at our lovely meeting house on Saturday, November 4, between 2 and 5 pm for a festive afternoon of creative activities, when youngsters from Chatham and surrounding towns will have the opportunity to experience peace and peacemaking through a wide variety of peace-centered arts and crafts, music, and cooperative games. 

The Festival is free and open to the public with a special invitation to young families with children of elementary and middle school age. Through peace-themed projects and activities, children will experience different dimensions of peacemaking, from fostering inner calm to caring for the earth to advocating for what one believes. And all while having fun!

During the afternoon children will be able to choose from a variety of activities including a song fest, making breathing beads and peace rocks, writing Postcards for Peace at an action station, exploring the delightful, restorative art of “forest bathing,” experiencing the power of quiet through relaxation exercises, and playing games that have no winners or losers.  In keeping with one of the pillars of peace, sustainability, the Festival is using upcycled and recycled materials for the activities.  

Our children have taken the lead in creating the Festival, with strong support from many adult members who will be lending their talents as artists, musicians and teachers to the afternoon’s activities.  Anna Whitely, a high school sophomore, is chairing the event which she started planning almost a year ago but is so very timely given recent world events. “I believe a peaceful world can start with children if they know how to find and nurture inner harmony and be peacemakers,” Anna said. 

Food trucks will be on site. There is no charge for any of the activities, but there will be opportunities to donate to peace-building organizations.  Several local businesses, including Fusco Brothers, the Farm at Green Village, and GCI Outdoor, are lending in-kind support to the festivities.

Chatham Summit Quaker Meeting is located at 158 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ. In case of unfavorable weather, all activities will be moved inside. Overflow parking will be available at Southern Boulevard School.

Do join us in the spirit of peace-building!

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Schedule of Events

• 2:00: Festival Opens!
• 2:10(ish):  Music: Kent Place School’s Hummingbirds
• 2:15: Forest bathing Session
• 2:30: Children’s Meditation: A fun, child-appropriate activity that engages the senses and gives participants an experience of inner peace 
• 3:00: Music: Peace Song Sing Along 
• 3:00: Community Circle: Getting to know each other and talking about peace-building 
• 3:15: Forestbathing Session
• 3:30: Children’s Meditation: A fun, child-appropriate activity that engages the senses and gives participants an experience of inner peace
• 4:00: Music: The Fables 
• 4:15: Forestbathing Session
• 4:30:  Children’s Meditation: A fun, child-appropriate activity that engages the senses and gives participants an experience of inner peace
• 5:00: Festival Closes 

Ongoing activities: 

• Peaceful Games
• Peace Rocks: Make a rock to leave on our Peace Path and take one with you. 
• Breathing Beads: Create a meditations tool with a few simple craft supplies.
• Postcards for Peace: Child-friendly action station
• Art and bubble stands 
• Food stands and such