“Nature gets into our souls and opens doors to hidden parts of ourselves.” ~ Pamela Heyd

June 3-7, 2026 in
​Holderness, New Hampshire at Squam Lake

2026 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Scroll Down for Details On Our 2026 Teachers 

REGISTER TODAY

---

Welcome beautiful, creative souls...
THANK YOU for visiting to check out our upcoming retreats.​
​On this page you will find information about the June 2026 Sacred Makers Soul Retreat @ Squam Lake in New Hampshire. 
This is a gathering of MAKERS & MYSTICS who are ready for a life affirming, soul soothing journey within.

2026 Theme: Healing the Creative Spirit

This is a Sacred Invitation to the Magical Makers, Mindful Mystics, Soulful Seekers, and Curious Creatives:
You were never meant to create in silence. You were never meant to shrink your magic to fit into a mold. Your art is sacred. Your story is beautiful. Your spirit was born to create.
Even when it feels like the world has forgotten the value of the makers, the mystics, the healers, and the creatives, we must gather to remember for them.
Sacred Makers is more than a retreat. It’s a reclaiming of our place in society. It's how we remind ourselves of who we are and what we have to offer. 

This is how we call ourselves back home. This is how we tend to our soul, give voice to our essence, and ground ourselves in our truth as change agents, as activists, as leaders.
At Sacred Makers 2026, we offer you five soul-nourishing days of ritual, remembrance, and restoration.
We will explore symbols and personal myths as tools for powerful self-expression. We will take the fragmented parts of ourselves and stitch, bind, glue, paint, write, move, collage, weave, and speak ourselves whole. And we will do it all in community with others who have the same desire to return to the most creative version of themselves.
We’ll tend to the wounded creative spirit, give voice to that which has been silenced, and ground ourselves in authentic embodiment. Through art, movement, story, and sacred conversations, we’ll remember that healing is a journey and we are resilient travelers on the path.
Whether you are just beginning your healing journey or returning to it after seasons of silence, this retreat is your portal to reconnect with your inner wisdom.
Let this be the moment where you say yes to your soul, to your heart, to your creativity.
Join us. Bring your whole self (or the parts and pieces of you). Let’s create our way back to truth.

Our June 2026 Teachers

Registration fills quickly. We assign classes based on the order in which you register.

This is an intimate retreat experience where we limit the class sizes and have much of the campus available to us so we can expand ourselves and explore nature in the most connected way possible.
IMPORTANT: Making the decision to attend a Sacred Makers event should always be a highly personal choice. There is so much to consider — even under the best of times. We trust you will follow the wisdom of your heart. If you have any discomfort about the idea of being in a group environment, please honor that feeling and wait for a future session. Your comfort is essential to a joyful and restorative experience.

---

Kiala Givehand
Bookbinding, Visual Storytelling & Printmaking

Chris-Anne
Tarot for Healing

Damon Givehand
Vedic Chanting & Daily Yoga

Jamie Sawyer
Crafting with Felt, Tarot, & Creative Divination

Catherine Anderson
Labyrinths & Contemplative Photography

Jennifer Lucero-Earle
Somatic Movement & Archetypal Wisdom

Liz Constable
Paper Dyeing & Business Bootcamp

Aimee Irel
Mixed Media, Nature Inspired Art & Creative Rituals

Roxanne Evans Stout
Mixed Media, Alchemy, & Artifacts

Galactic Ashley
Cacao Ceremony, Intuitive Development & Mixed Media

Rachel Torda
Watercolors & Creating with Tarot

Jennifer Cooper Steidley
Symbology, Mixed Media, & Tarot

Emma Freeman
Chakra Blessing Flags

Rachel Barclay
Sashiko Stitching

Shae Freeman
Crystal Grids & Basket Weaving

---

2026 Student Teachers

Bonnie Natko
Data Tracking with Bargello

Erin Franzinger Barrett
Cross Stitching as a Ritual of Rememberance

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

REGISTER TODAY

Registration fills quickly. We assign classes based on the order in which you register.

---

June 2026 Creative in Residence

In an effort to open the discussion around the intersection of creativity & healing, we have invited and amazing mystic who also happens to be a tarot and Lenormand reader.  Our residency program is designed to foster conversations across the gaps in between the creative and healing worlds. The residency program is our way of pouring into the community of creatives who give generously of their time, energy, gifts, talents, and passions. They show up in beautiful ways in order to promote their industry, inspire others, and represent the voices that may otherwise not be seen or heard. Those selected are given an opportunity to attend the retreat and use it as a time of respite and renewal or as a time to learn something new and work on their own projects. Please join us in celebrating, honoring, and experiencing the creative expressions of: 

Shavonne Readus - V of Red Light Readings

Shavonne ("V") has always been "different".  Even from a young age, there was a curiosity in her that could never be satisfied when it came to "otherworldly" things.  She was the elementary student reading about Transcendental Meditation and the 8th grader who took her Ouija board to Field Day at her CATHOLIC middle school.  She eventually became the college student with a deck of tarot cards and that started a 20 year journey of using

Cartomancy to understand the world, solve problems (big and small) and offer advice in a very practical and down-to-earth manner.
V says she connects best with clients who are open to a space of trust that allows for honest advice, lots of laughs, occasional tears, a few bad words (ok, maybe more than a few), and a TON of unconditional love.  She may not tell you what you WANT to hear, but will DAMN sure tell you what you NEED to hear, to provide clarity for your situation.  Her mission is simple - to give straight-forward advice to help you make empowered decisions for taking charge of every aspect of your life.  We all love "warm and fuzzy", but necessary action usually comes from "point blank and practical".
She is a writer and a candle burning, hoopdancing, manifesting, novel reading, word-loving, Mistress of Cartomancy.  She is a forever student and life-long learner of astrology, numerology, chakra healing, and all forms of psychic awareness.  She lives in Detroit, MI, with my awesomely supportive husband, 16 year old son and 7 year old daughter, on a tree-lined street, making magic, reading cards, and saying "HELL YES!" to the opportunities the Divine continues to bless her with!

Book Forthcoming 2026

---

Your Guides on This Adventure

Damon Givehand
Yogi & Author
Kiala Givehand
LifeAlchemist & Multi-Passionate Creative

Damon & Kiala Givehand

Kiala and Damon have been best friends for more than 38 years, a couple for 25 years, and married for 21. They have birthed many things together, raised their nephew as their son, hosted several in-person transformational retreats, and taught online courses on self-discovery and cultivating happiness for more than two decades. 
Damon is a yogi, author, and mystic who resonates deeply with Vedic chanting. He spends his time studying ancient texts, practicing yoga, and writing. 
Kiala calls herself a Modern Mystic, a Soulful Seeker, an Energy Healer, and a Life & Creative Alchemist. Her creative explorations & experiments show up in the form of poetry, printmaking, bookbinding, and anything that involves fabric, needle, and thread. She guides women through creative and spiritual awakening and supports them on their journey back to themselves. 
Together they create safe spaces for humans to do the beautiful and messy work of shedding old stories, healing, and connecting to the Divine within. 

---

All the details you need...

Expand for More Juicy Details

Important to note

• Our location is the beautifully majestic RDC at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire.
• We have a stellar lineup of amazing teachers.
• Seating is limited.
• We will have the majority of the Deephaven side of the campus to ourselves during our retreat. 
• You will have access to daily Yoga sessions with Damon Givehand.​​
• Kiala & Damon Givehand are co-creating a safe, sacred, and special experience for all who attend.
• Conversations around the ways creativity and our connection to the divine / nature / the mystical inform one another.
• Interactive discussions about the business of being a maker.​

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU REGISTER

Please Note:

As the world continues to shift and change, we respect personal choices around how you will travel and govern yourself with the rules and regulations of RDC, the State of New Hampshire, and the recommendations of the CDC.

• There will be a maximum number of attendees. We will have most of the campus available to us so we can spread out appropriately.
• We will host a ‘pop-up’ market for teachers and attendees who want to sell some of their work, art, and crafts. This is a very informal "event" and only for the people who are taking part in the weekend gathering and those staying at RDC during our time there. 

IMPORTANT: Making the decision to attend the Sacred Makers Soul Retreat is a highly personal experience. There is a great deal to consider — even under the best of times. With concern about being exposed to COVID added into the mix, we trust you will follow the wisdom of your heart. If you have any discomfort about the idea of being in a group environment, please honor that prompt and wait for a future year. Your comfort is essential to a joyful and restorative experience. 
Please take time to review the RDC Website for updates. CLICK HERE for more info. 

A SAMPLE SCHEDULE

A more detailed, time driven schedule will be provided when you register. There will be a variety of optional activities (see sample schedule below) for you to attend should you want a little extra time with your peers, teachers, and the Creative-in-Residence. For now, here's what you should know: 

• Wednesday is arrival day. Registration begins at 2pm. 
  • Dinner is from 6pm to 7pm
  • Opening Ceremony is from 7:15pm to 8:15pm
• Thursday & Friday look the same
  • Breakfast is from 7:30am to 8:30am
  • Classes begin at 9am
  • Lunch is from 12:15 to 1:15
  • Classes resume at 1:30 and end at 3:30 or 4:30
  • Yoga is from 5pm to 5:45pm
  • Dinner is from 6pm to 7pm
  • Evening circles and activities are from 7:15 to 8:15 (and beyond)
• Saturday is a free / adventure day / art market day
  • Breakfast is from 7:30 to 8:30
  • ​Vedic Chanting with Damon from 9AM to 10AM
  • Pop Up Art Market is from 11am to 12pm 
  • Lunch is from 12:15 to 1:15
  • Our group photo is at 1:30pm ON THE DOT
  • Optional Make-and-Take Sessions
  • ​Dinner is from 6pm to 7pm
  • Closing Ceremony is from 7:15pm to 8:30pm
• Sunday is our final day together
  • Breakfast is from 7:30am to 8:30am
  • Check-out is 11am

Some of the optional activities may include a make-and-take session, Vedic chanting on Saturday & daily Yoga with Damon, a sit & mix circle, a mixed media open studio, a panel discussion on The Business of Being a Maker, Earth Mandalas, open mic night, and a few others we are bouncing around.

Location & travel info

HOW DO I GET THERE?
​RDC is approximately 2.5 hrs from Boston, MA and 1 hour north of Concord, NH.

Driving Directions: Take I-93 to Exit 24 in Ashland, NH.
Take a Right off the Highway and follow US Route 3 & 25 east (approx. 4.2 miles) to Holderness. Take a Left on NH Route 113 just before the Holderness Bridge (Walter´s Basin Restaurant).
Travel northeast on Route 113 for 5.0 miles to Pinehurst Road. “Rockywold Deephaven Camps” sign is on the right.
Take a Right on Pinehurst Road and continue for 0.6 mile and take a right at the main entrance (Armstrong Road).

WHERE IS THE CLOSEST AIRPORT?
Manchester Airport in Manchester, NH, is 1hr 15 mins away by car and a big hub for Southwest Airlines.
Logan Airport in Boston, MA is about 2.5 hours away by car.
Rental cars are available at both airports, or check out the shuttle services below.

IS THERE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT?
Below is contact information for a local shuttle service. Please contact them directly to arrange transportation.
Lakes Region Airport Shuttle  603.286.8181

Concord Trailways has very limited service to Center Harbor, NH, which is 15 minutes away from Squam Lake. If you choose this option you will also need to arrange a ride to the campsite.

HOW DO I ARRANGE CARPOOLING OR MAKE CONTACT WITH OTHER SACRED MAKERS?
All registered participants will have the option to join a free and private group on Mighty Network.  This is a fabulous place to ask questions, meet new friends, and make arrangements for carpooling.

DRIVING DISTANCES (APPROXIMATE)
Boston, MA 2.5 hours
Portsmouth, NH 1.5 hours
Hartford, CT 3.5 hours
New York City, NY 6 hours
Montreal, Canada 4 hours
Closest Airport is Manchester, NH (MHT)
Also check out a Google map of the area.

Pricing

PRICES FOR JUNE SESSION 2026
Pricing for the retreat ranges from $1610 USD to $2240 USD depending on the lodging you select. 
This will include between 2 and 6 workshops (depending on what you choose), evening events, Saturday extras, 4 nights lodging, full meal plan (dinner on Wednesday, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday). 
You will have the option to book a private room in a shared cabin (these are LIMITED) or a shared room in a shared cabin. And we have a few spots for OFF-Campus attendees. You have an option to break your payment into installments.

NOTE: Also, there will not be any one-day passes available. This is a five-day retreat and we are not able to offer any partial attendance at this time. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Cancellation Policy:  Full payment is due by April 31, 2026. Without this we cannot hold your spot at the retreat. 
Refund Policy: Your full deposit for the retreat is $750 even though we ask you to start with a $400 deposit to start your registration. The full $750 is what secures your spot. The $750 is NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. 

Any amount you pay over the $750 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit can be refunded up until December 31, 2025. There are NO REFUNDS after January 1, 2026.

Again...Deposits ($750 of your payment) are non-refundable and non-transferable (means you may not apply them to other offerings or transfer them to another attendee). There are no exceptions. All requests for refunds must be received in writing via email before the deadline.

In the case of acts of God, war, disaster or unforeseen circumstances, Healing Arts Creative Studio LLC reserves the right to reschedule The Sacred Makers Soul Retreat. 

FAQs

MAY I BRING A GUEST WHO IS NOT TAKING CLASSES?
Yes. $1100 is the cost of room and board for the non-participant(s). It includes lodging and all meals. 

WHAT ELSE OF INTEREST IS NEARBY FOR MY GUEST/FAMILY TO SEE AND DO WHILE I’M IN CLASS?
Check out the list on the RDC website. This includes area galleries, attractions, dining options, etc.

WHERE’S THE NEAREST…?
Please note that RDC has an on-campus store (with limited hours) where you can get your cappuccino, sun screen, bug spray, soda, toiletries, snacks and sweatshirts.
ATM and Gas -- Merrill’s Convenience Store in Holderness
General Store for snack, beer, wine and sundries -- Squam Lake Marketplace, Holderness
Grocery Store -- Bob’s Shurfine in Ashland (exit 24 Rt 93), Heath’s in Center Harbor or Hannaford’s in Meredith
Pharmacy -- Rite-Aide in Meredith

WHAT ABOUT MEALS? I HAVE FOOD ALLERGIES / I AM VEGETARIAN/VEGAN.
RDC is prepared to cater to various food allergies such as gluten or lactose-intolerance. Meals are offered buffet-style and always have a wide variety of options, including a huge organic salad bar with all the fixings. If in doubt about a dish, the staff is very helpful about asking the chef about the ingredients. In the past, many of our attendees have been gluten-free and have raved about the food. Contact us if you have major concerns.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE? WHAT CLOTHES SHOULD I BRING?
The ​weather in NH can vary wildly in the course of a single day, from cold to hot and back to cold again. So, bring layers. You’ll likely have a hoodie on in the morning, take that off in the afternoon, and don a fleece or jacket once evening sets. Sneakers are your best bet for footwear, but also bring something for your feet in case of rain. And speaking of rain, you’ll want an anorak or rain jacket with a hood on hand as well as an umbrella to ensure that it doesn’t rain ;-). For sleeping, consider warm socks, pjs and/or sweats, and a bathrobe for snuggling up in front of the fire with your new friends. Although the down comforters will keep you warm and cozy, cabins are not insulated. Some attendees bring a knit hat to sleep in. And dare we suggest a bathing suit?

WHAT OTHER THINGS SHOULD I BRING?
Flashlight (with extra batteries) is a must-have. Also consider: camera, alarm clock, small reading light, ear plugs, bug repellant, bottle opener, hat, phone charger, travel mug (for coffee or tea from the dining hall or in your cabin), snacks (there is no cafe on campus for in-between meals). Cabins have small iceboxes (not refrigerators), but no microwaves. You may bring your own small coffee maker or electric tea kettle for early morning/late evening beverages. Don’t forget the fixings (honey, creamer, etc.)! The paths between classrooms and cabins are lovely and blanketed with pine needles, but not paved, so a rolling cart for your art supplies would be tough to manage. We suggest a backpack or carryall bag.

MAY I SHIP MY ART SUPPLIES AHEAD OF TIME?
You are welcome to ship your materials ahead to NH so you can travel more easily. Please follow the instructions below:
Address your box clearly to:
YOU, c/o Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, 18 Bacon Rd, Holderness, NH 03245
For all shipping, YOUR NAME and Sacred Makers Retreat must be clearly indicated so they know to hold it aside for you. Please do not ship your materials more than three weeks before your session begins. Our storage space is limited! This bit is important: to ship things home again you must repack your box so it can be shipped directly from RDC. We will not have any shipping materials for you, so put them in the box you ship out. All boxes to be shipped must be left at the RDC office packed and ready to go with the PAID return label. We recommend you handle the printing of your return label prior to arrival. 

MAY I ATTEND JUST ONE DAY, ONE WORKSHOP OR AN EVENING EVENT?
There are no one-day classes available or single events available. This is a five-day retreat and we are not able to offer any partial attendance at this time. You are welcome to come to the art marketplace on Saturday and support our teachers and vending participants. Thank you for your kind understanding.

WHAT CONTACT INFORMATION SHOULD I LEAVE FOR MY FAMILY?
The main number for the Rockywold Office is 603.968.3313. Cell phone reception at RDC is fairly good. Wireless is available in most locations. Also, leave them with the RDC website.

IS THIS JUST FOR WOMEN?
No. Don’t let the photos fool you. Although it is true that the majority of people who are likely to attend the Sacred Makers Soul Retreat @ Squam Lake will identify as female, we hope to have more men at every session as we grow. We welcome EVERYONE and look forward to the growing diversity every year. To be clear, Sacred Makers Soul Retreat @ Squam Lake is open to all loving souls. 

---

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Registration fills quickly. We assign classes based on the order in which you register.

REGISTER TODAY

Why Sacred Makers?

The short version is rather simple -- creativity is abundant. It always has been, always is and always will be. Every soul on this planet is creative (yes, animals and creatures too). The act of making something with your hands infuses your energy into the thing being made. Whether you do that intentionally or not, it IS happening.

Sacred Makers understand this and are also aware that this energy transfer can be mundane or it can be magical. We can intentionally infuse our love, light, kindness, compassion, fear, anger, frustration, joy, calm, peace, and everything else into a blanket, scarf, shirt, skein of yarn, yard of fabric, painting, weaving, or the pages of a handmade book. We are that powerful. 

If we treat it as a sacred act, every stroke becomes ethereal and has the ability to shift the energy, mood, and disposition of the person who gets to come into contact with it. That's what sacred making is all about. We can shift the energy of the world with our hands. 

Why Squam Lake?

In 2021 Damon and I made our way to the lake and needless to say, it was life changing for us both. It's still hard for us to describe the experience we had. From the way nature welcomed us and held us so beautifully, to the transformative conversations we had with students, teachers, and partners who braved the trip with their loved ones. It was a unique experience that afforded us the time to create, contemplate, and  reflect. We made beautiful relationships that we are sure will last a lifetime.

​It was both an honor and a privilege to spend time in such an exquisite place where we felt the energy of the natural world all around us. And with the same energy, we return to the Lake over and over to meet you on the path. 
Let's gather...soul to soul...and create...
xo
​Kiala & Damon