"Wherever we go, we are Home. Wherever we call Home, we shall raise Stones."
Stone Circle Council is expanding upon the nomadic ethos evoked in the two simple lines above this year for our Stones Family Gathering as we travel to Capon Bridge, West Virginia and the idyllic valley setting of Buffalo Gap Retreat campground. In case you weren't able to join us in 2019 when we raised a trilithon at Stonesong Center, now is your chance to do so!!
That's right, Trilithon II shall be assembled, moved, and raised into position the old-fashioned way ... using ropes, rollers, pulleys, and human-power - by the dirt on your hands, and the sweat on your brow, this work is made holy.
The gathering opens to our registered guests beginning at 3:00pm on Friday September 1st, and runs until 11:00am on Monday September 4th. There will be a wedding on Saturday that all are invited to attend, witness, and declare if it was done in a good way. There will be ceremonies, tales and songs told around the Bardic Fire, opportunities to wander this new location, take a dip in the spring-fed pond, and (of course) to raise Stones.
This year we will be focusing our ceremonial intent on the community itself with a reflective journey through the Realms of the Fae! Sacred theater and lessons from the fair folk will guide us through the weekend as we support each other and learn what we must shed in order to grow.
The below links are for informational purposes only. Stone Circle Council has rented the entirety of the Creekside Campsites and The Island group site in addition to several cabins for our guests. Your general event fee includes use of the six bathrooms in the Slane's Knob and Sandy Ridge cabins, the Rising Day "doughnut", sacral foods, and Feast dinner.
The Cacapon, North River, and Potomac Cabins are being sold as individual units and can accommodate a maximum of 4, 4, and 8 guests each, respectively. Those cabins have their own private bathrooms and kitchenettes included in the price, as well as parking for a limited number of vehicles adjacent to the cabin.
All of our private ceremonies and Bardic Circles will take place on The Island group site ... a veritable oasis nestled against the hillside, sheltered under the trees, and bordered by the creek.
Other than the Rising Day Sacral Foods and Dinner Feast, included in the cost of your registration, there is no meal plan for Stones Family Gathering this year. The campsites feature grilling stations and camp stoves are also permitted. The cabins all feature kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, and hot plates.
For those seeking a less labor-intensive food preparation option, Buffalo Gap does feature a Cafe' serving various items for breakfast, dinner, and snacks in between! See an example of their menu here! An option as part of your registration process is to purchase Cafe' Coupons in $5 increments that are good for the entirety of Stones Family Gathering. Your Cafe' Coupon purchase will work like pre-loaded credit at the Cafe'. As you make purchases, your balance is reduced by that amount until it reaches zero. If you have a small balance left over and want to transfer that to a friend who also has Cafe' Coupons, that is permitted.
During the Stones Family Gathering, the Cafe' will be open as follows:
- Friday: 8am-8pm
- Saturday: 8am-8pm
- Sunday: 8am-8pm
- Monday: 8am-2pm
Schedule Link 2023:
Google Calendar version of the schedule can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/SCCeventschedule
In Camp Schedule Draft:
Times are estimated and listed as eastern standard.
Friday:
- Registration open at 3pm
- Activities starting at 4pm
- Chanting, Singing, and Drumming Workshops
- Tribal Ceremony
- Bardic Circle
Saturday:
- A Morning Stone Pull
- Faerie High Tea
- Stones' Eve Ceremony
- Vigils of the Night
Sunday- RISING DAY!
Stone Circle Council Town Hall Meeting Today, Time TBA
- "When I see Stones Rise in Your Eyes..."
- Bread For the People
- Sacral Foods
- Lunch with the Stones
A Time for Honoring our Transitions
- Consecration and Closing Ritual
Monday:
COVID-19 and our Community Health Policy:
We require all attendees to adhere to SCC's health policy, which is outlined here
About the Venue:
Buffalo Gap Retreat campground began in the 1955 as a summer camp for Jewish youth where kids of all faiths would be welcome. It has changed ownership over the years, but the bucolic setting is still a balm for the soul. From the miles of trails available to walk/hike, to the labyrinth currently under construction, and the spring-fed creek and pond there is a little something for everyone.
*Buffalo Gap Retreat campground is open to the public and SCC will not have sole use of the grounds/facilities*
The Stone Circle Council