Seeds of Peace

American Seeds Delegation at the International Camp

The American Seeds Program offers American youth an incredible opportunity to learn about international conflicts and cultures first-hand by participating in the Seeds of Peace International Camp.  Alongside their peers from the Middle East, South Asia and other Americans from throughout the United States, the American Seeds act as friends and supporters, helping to create links between campers from regions of conflict. American Seeds provide a vital sense of perspective, especially in the daily dialogue sessions where discussions of history, identity and politics take place.
›› Click here for more information about the program and how to apply.

Meet-Ups

Seeds of Peace sponsors meet-ups in three rotating cities per trimester. These meet-ups serve to build a Seeds of Peace community in the US and enable American Seeds to network with Seeds from around the world who currently study in the US. Seeds of Peace attempts to integrate some capacity building or training into each of these meet-ups.

Spring Seminar

The Spring Seminar serves as the main capacity-building seminar for the American Seeds program and have included trainings on facilitation and interfaith dialogue. The agenda for the Spring Seminar is set at the previous year's Thanksgiving Retreat.
›› Click here for details of the 2010 Spring Seminar.

Thanksgiving Retreat

The Thanksgiving Retreat welcomes that year's newest American Seeds into the program and sets the programming agenda for the upcoming year. Typically the event will also feature guest speakers and small scale workshops for the delegation.
›› Click here for details of the 2009 Thanksgiving Retreat.

Passport, the US Seeds newsletter

The first edition of the US Seeds alumni newsletter came out in the spring of 2007 with a collection of over 50 profile updates from international and Americans Seeds studying and working in the United States. Since that time, Passport, has continued to publish twice a year and connect the Seeds living in the US in an effort to strengthen and support the Seeds of Peace community in the US. Seeds living in the US who wish to contribute to the newsletter should send an e-mail to passport@seedsofpeace.org.

School Presentations

For many Seeds the camp experience is transformative. American Seeds often feel compelled to share their experience with their schools, places of worship and communities. This motivated a group of Seeds in 2007 to create a toolkit for community presentations by American Seeds. This is a powerful tool that assists American Seeds in their community outreach efforts. American Seeds hold a unique perspective on an adventure that is unusual for most American teenagers. These presentations provide a look into their experience and give the audience an understanding of what Camp is about and the power it has to bring people close together. If you are interested in hosting an American Seed presentation, please contact Ashleigh at ashleigh@seedsofpeace.org.

Big Seed/Little Seed Program

This mentorship program allows new delegation members to have a point person, an older Seed, whom they can meet before and after Camp. This helps new Seeds prepare for Camp, and also builds the foundation for smooth transition back to normal life after Camp and helps Seeds initiate community outreach activities relevant to their experience. Every summer, two older American Seeds are chosen to lead the Big Seed/Little Seed program and are responsible for coordinating American Delegation Orientation Session at the beginning of every session of Camp, and will also attend the last delegation meeting at Camp.

American Seeds Program Timeline

• November 2004: First Thanksgiving Retreat is held in New York.
• November 2005: Second Annual Thanksgiving Retreat is held in Washington, DC.
• November 2006: Third Annual Thanksgiving Retreat is held in Boston.
• Spring 2007: First Annual Spring Seminar in held in Washington, DC.
• November 2007: Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Retreat is held in Princeton, New Jersey. Forty Seeds met to draft a constitution to guide their activities. 
• Seeds of Peace beings to coordinate semester based city Meet-Ups for Seeds to socialize and keep in touch.
• November 2008: Fifth Annual Thanksgiving Retreat is held in Princeton, New Jersey.
• March 2009: Second Annual Spring Seminar (Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding) is held in Washington, DC.
• November 2009: Sixth Annual Thanksgiving Retreat is held in New York.
• March 2010: Third Annual Spring Seminar (Conflict in South Asia) is held in Washington, DC.