Celebrating Nature

by Gordon MacLellan

A practical handbook of celebration. For a small youth group, a class of school children, a family or a community this book offers guidelines and a range of ideas for designing and leading celebrations that will grow from people's own imaginations and their perceptions of the places where they live and play and from the issues that are important to them. Activities are generally short and might stand alone as small celebrations in themselves or can be combined to create more spectacular events. A number of ways of exploring the natural world are presented. Different structures for celebrations are described and how to make the most of the enthusiasm and creativity of the participants. The many topics covered The importance of celebration; Historical celebrations and their survival into current times; Celebrations as ways of sharing experiences; Principles and activities to use in finding ideas; Inspiring a group; Personal celebrations; Working with natural materials; Working with stories; Developing storytelling skills; Animated an application of story creating performance activities include puppets, twig people, foam toadstools, and more. Plotting and planning a trail with a group; Activities for making and working with flags, banners, standards. Planning and leading a procession, Working with music; Performance and presentation movement activities for puppets, masks and costumes, working with the spoken word, telling stories, creating characters; Working with groups of people of various sizes and minimal mumming plays, instant meditations, leading dances; Behind the scenes planning; Putting it all structures of atmosphere and activity, mapping out a whole celebration, managing your participants, keeping people involved, practical tips. An immensely practical, inspiring book for everyone - another masterly work from Gordon the Toad!

330 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2003