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

June 4-8, 2025 in
​Holderness, New Hampshire

2025 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Stay tuned for 2026 details!! Things are changing - don't miss it.

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Welcome beautiful, creative souls...
THANK YOU for visiting the page to check out our upcoming retreats.​
​On This page you will find information about the June 2025 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.

SAVE THE DATES - 2026 Retreat -- June 3-7, 2026

Below you will find the list of teachers. Please read carefully and make sure this is the right retreat for you. 
This is an intimate retreat experience where we work to limit each class to 12 students per day. We will have most of the campus available to us so we can spread out appropriately.
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. With concern about being exposed to COVID and all of its variants 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 feeling and wait for a future session. Your comfort is essential to a joyful and restorative experience.
It’s a simple thing, really — we throw some clothes in a suitcase, blow a kiss to our loved ones and head to the lake. We know our gathering will be unique, and take pride in creating a space  that includes time for play and creative self-expression, space for reflection, a chance to create lasting friendships, and the privilege to experience a most exquisite place in the natural world.
And of course, don’t forget the EXTRAS including transformational yoga classes, fun make & takes, mix-and-stitch circles, and conversations about all things Sacred Makers.

Your 2025 Teachers

Here are the teachers who have committed to gathering with us at the Lake in June 2025. More details for each class can be found by clicking the teacher or title of the class you are curious about. 

Click the teacher photo to learn about their class.

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Tiffany Smith
CLASS FOCUS: Wet Felting & Mixed Media

Kymona Tracey
CLASS FOCUS: Lake Inspired Tapestry Weaving

Bianca Springer
CLASS FOCUS: Embroidery and Sewing

Liz Constable
CLASS: Dyed & Gone to the Lake

Kristin Peterson
CLASS FOCUS: Fabric Manipulation and Creative "Book" Structures

DeeDee Catron
CLASS FOCUS: Creating a Cohesive Collage Series & Finding YOUR Reliable Color Palette

Aimee Bishop
CLASS FOCUS: Visual Storytelling

Mary Beth Shaw
CLASS FOCUS: Abstract Art, Markmaking, & Layers on Wood

Colleen Attara
CLASS FOCUS: Mixed Media Stories of Place

Amy Maricle
CLASS: Elemental Magic: Co-create with Nature Using Water, Salt, and Pigment

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Special Saturday Sessions -- LIMITED ENROLLMENT

New this year we will have a set of special Saturday sessions for those who want more, more, more. 

Mindfulness for Creatives

Damon Givehand
Yoga & Mindfulness for Creatives

Vintage Soul Journaling

Kristi Nazzaro
Vintage Soul Journaling

Creative Garden & Nature Walk

Gardener Becky
A Creative Nature Walk in RDC's Gardens

REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL May 1, 2025

REGISTER TODAY

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

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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 36 years, a couple for 23 years, and married for 19. 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. 
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 is a poet, bookbinder, seeker, and Life & Creative Alchemist. 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. 

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June 2025 Artist & Maker in Residence

In an effort to open the discussion around the intersection of Mixed Media and Fiber Arts, we have invited two amazing artists who are pillars in their industries. Our Artist & Maker program is designed to foster conversations across the gaps in the creative industry. 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 come to 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: 

Maker - Rachel Barclay

Artist - Roben-Marie Smith

Rachel Barclay

Rachel Barclay studied Textiles, Installation Sculpture, Printmaking, and Elementary Education in San Francisco and Long Beach, California. Throughout her journey as a creator, educator, and parent, she has focused on making functional sewn and embellished garments, and mixed media textile objects. After learning Sashiko and Visible Mending with Jessica Marquez of Miniature Rhino, Rachel embraced the hand-work practice as an act of mindfulness, empowerment, beauty, and sustainability. She continues to learn and study online with Kazue Yoshikawa of Sashiko Lab in Kyoto, Japan. Rachel shares her joy of hand-stitching with adults and children, alike, teaching workshops in Sashiko Basics, Sashiko Embroidered Tea Towels and Table Runners, Visible Mending and Garment Embellishment. Rachel stitches, mends, sews, reads teen fiction, journals, walks, forages for natural dye materials and healing plants, and takes day trips to nearby cities for coffee and culture. She lives in a small Connecticut town alongside her woodworking spouse and their two young adult offspring. Follow her creative process on Instagram @rachelharrietteb

Roben-Marie Smith

Roben-Marie provides ideas, inspiration and quality instruction for hobbyists and art entrepreneurs. She teaches artists from beginners to those making a living from their art through her blog and her popular online workshops. Her art brings together acrylic paint, pastels, upcycled papers, wax crayons, pens, pencils, stitching and and many other mediums in bold and colorful paintings and collages. It's her place to let go, ditch perfectionism, and express herself with a blend of words, visuals, and crafting. 
​As an artist, blogger, and woman of faith, her mission is to serve others and help them get the most out of their art as a hobby, or as a business. Seeing other creators embrace their unique voices, build their online art dreams and gain confidence in their new skills brings her great joy. 
She has been a working artist since 2004, is self-taught and believes that anyone can cultivate their creative spark. She's taught mixed media art workshops and retreats across the U.S. and internationally and her work has been featured in countless books and industry magazines. She recently launched the Artist Life private podcast. 
​In her spare time she loves to read, bake all the things, sleep in and travel. She lives in Florida with her husband of 34 years and together they work with the youths in their church, whom they see as family. Roben-Marie also has a heart for mission work, having served in Panama, El Salvador, Romania and Honduras. 
​Follow and connect with Roben-Marie on Instagram and her website. 

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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 mixed media and fiber artists.
• 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.
• An Artist in Residence AND a Maker in Residence with an emphasis on restoring, renewing, and reconnecting. ​

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. 

The 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 Artist & Maker in Residence. For now, here's what you should know: 

• Wednesday is arrival day. Registration begins at 2pm. 
  • Dinner is from 5:30 to 6:30pm
  • Opening Ceremony is from 7pm to 8pm
• Thursday & Friday look the same
  • Breakfast is from 7:30 to 8:30
  • Classes begin at 9am
  • Lunch is from 12:15 to 1:15
  • Classes resume at 1:30 and end at 3:30
  • Yoga is from 4:15pm to 5pm
  • Dinner is from 6pm to 7pm
  • Evening Mix & Stitch Circles
• 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
  • Lunch is from 12:15 to 1:15
  • Our group photo is at 1:30pm ON THE DOT
  • Optional Make-and-Take Sessions
  • Yoga is from 4:15pm to 5pm
  • Dinner is from 6pm to 7pm
  • Closing Ceremony is from 7:30pm 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 2025
Pricing for the retreat ranges from $1610 USD to $2240 USD depending on the lodging you select. 
This will include two workshops, 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 space, a shared cabin with private room, 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 May 1, 2025. No refunds after January 1, 2025. 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 before January 1, 2025. 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. In the event of any event that requires a cancellation of the event, we will refund ALL monies paid to date, minus a $300 USD admin fee. 

FAQs

WITH REGARD TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WILL YOU AND RDC BE FOLLOWING LOCAL, STATE AND CDC GUIDELINES?
Please visit the RDC Website for all updates regarding COVID.

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. 

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL May 1, 2025

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