The Stones Family Gathering Edition vol 1
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First, some quick non-SFG content:
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Frederick Pagan Pride Saturday September 28th |
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SCC will be tabling again at Pagan Pride in Frederick, Maryland on Sept 28th, sharing a table with our delightful sibling-organization Stone Circle Wicca. We are looking for tabling volunteers to join us! If you are interested please contact John Nunemaker. Volunteers welcome for any amount of time, no need to stay the whole event.
Even if you can't volunteer, come hang out! The event is free and runs 10am to 6pm.
Location is the UU Congregation of Fredrick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road Frederick, MD 21703. For more information, see their website: https://frederickpaganpride.com/about/faq/ |
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Stone Family Gathering - August 29th - Sept 2nd
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We heard your feedback and the officers have worked closely with Buffalo Gap Retreat (aka BGR) to create a meal plan that works for us and this event! The meal plan includes buffet-style hot meals served at set times for breakfast and dinner during the event. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and other allergen-careful options are available. For more details about the meal plan, see our BGR Meal Plan page, and to sign up for the plan, during your registration under "Optional Items" select "Yes" next to the "Meal Plan" Last day to register for the meal plan is August 19th. Children under 8 eat free with paying adult. Don't want to be on the meal plan? No problem! Attendees can opt out of the meal plan and cook for themselves, or buy individual meals from the cafe. And no matter whether you're on the meal plan or not, all registrations include the Rising Day 'doughnut", Sacral Foods, and Rising Day Feast on Sunday. |
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Accommodations A quick note regarding the cabins. The Potomac cabin is the ramp-accessible shared dorm. To reserve a room at Potomac, enter code MOBILITY at checkout. We will be releasing the remaining rooms to the general public on August 23rd. |
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What can you expect at a Stones Family Gathering? Each year we raise a new standing-stone structure by using ropes & rollers, ceremony, and a whole lot of people-power. We will also have a kids pull, where the youth of our community lead the pull for a smaller standing stone. Of course, its not all stone work. We have rituals, workshops, a Faerie High Tea, shared meals, and free time to spend as you please. |
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Whether this is your first Stones Family Gathering, or your 6th, we wanted to remind you of a few items to pack. For Rising Day, please remember to bring closed toes shoes, work gloves, and a water bottle.
For folks camping, we recommend bringing refillable gallon water containers for refilling from the faucets located around BGR.
Staying in a cabin? Linens are not provided, so remember to bring your linens, blanket(s), pillow(s), and towel.
For the water lovers, remember your swimming attire for the spring-fed creek and pond!
We also encourage you to bring crafting projects, music and poems to share at Bardic, board and/or card games for free/down time, and ritual attire as you feel inspired by! |
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SFG Crew needs you! Calling all Lancaster locals for SFG help |
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Do you happen to live or work near Lancaster, PA, and are available to help out on either: - Monday morning (8/26) before SFG
- Monday afternoon (9/2) after SFG
We store our trailer with event supplies and stone-moving equipment in Lancaster, and could help transferring gear from the trailer into a rental truck before the event, and transferring gear from the rental truck back into the trailer afterwards. No driving needed, just arms to pick up gear and move it between two trucks!
If so, please let us know by contacting Argon Jon, or emailing admin@stonecirclecouncil.org P.S. You MAY get an exclusive, special patch for helping with this task.... 👀 |
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Raising stones takes a lot of work. More work than we can do in the long weekend. Thus, we have the "intensive", where folks volunteer to come to the site early to do prep work.
During the intensive you can expect digging, pouring concrete, setting up canopy tents, splitting firewood, s'mores and creating lifelong bonds. There is no cost to attend, but if you want accommodation other than what SCC has booked (tent camping on the "Island"), you will need to pay for that yourself. Meals will also be provided, so be sure to mention any allergens on your registration. But Papa Nolan needs to know any allergies by Monday, the 12th, and needs a final head count by the 19th. So register now! We want to have enough food that is safe for you to eat!! |
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This year we will have our very own Witch Market! Have any spare candelabras? What about a crystal holder that captures the light brilliantly? Perhaps you have a seashell that would be perfect for an air plant! Whatever you have that no longer is of use to you and you would like to donate to our organization is welcome! Just bring any of your used items to Registration and let us know you’ve got some donations! Payment for items will be a pay as you will. Whatever you think the item is worth! All proceeds go to the sunshine fund and are accepted through Cash or PayPal. Can’t get good service at the market? Write down an IOU and leave it in the jar and our officers will add the payment to your SCC account! |
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We expect this year to be as warm as last year. Each year, heat-related illnesses strike the unprepared. Prevention is key! Prepare by hydrating well and eating a nutritious diet in advance; continue to consume fluids while outside on warm or humid days. Drink according to your thirst to prevent overhydration. Ensure you take additional rest breaks, particularly during intense exercise.
The four most common illnesses are heat syncope, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. If you or if you see the signs on another person, please take action. Together we keep our community safe.
Heat syncope, characterized by dizziness or fainting, typically happens when one stands for extended periods or rises quickly. The likelihood of syncope escalates with heat and dehydration. Heat cramps are a result of excessive sweating leading to a loss of the body's salt and fluids. In cases of heat syncope or cramps, it's advisable for the individual to rest in a shaded area and hydrate with water or a diluted sports beverage. Should there be no improvement within an hour, seek medical help.
Heat exhaustion results from excessive water loss due to profuse sweating. If not managed promptly, it can escalate into a heatstroke, a critical medical emergency. To treat, offer the individual cold water or a diluted sports beverage. Begin cooling procedures by moving them to a cooler environment, stripping off unnecessary clothing, applying cold water, and providing ventilation. Avoid administering salt tablets. If there's no improvement within 30 minutes, seek immediate evacuation.
Heatstroke constitutes a severe medical emergency that necessitates immediate cooling, evacuation, and activation of emergency medical services, as the body loses its ability to self-regulate temperature. Promptly cool the individual by any available means: move them to a shaded area, strip off excess clothing, apply cold water, or immerse them if possible, and place ice packs under their armpits, around the groin, and at the neck's sides. These measures should be taken concurrently when feasible. If the individual is unconscious, ensure their airway remains open. Keep monitoring their condition and be ready for swift evacuation. Never administer anything orally to an unconscious person, and avoid using antipyretics like acetaminophen for temperature control. Cooling efforts can be ceased once the individual's mental state begins to recover.
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Registration Payment error |
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We've had a few reports that, when folks go to complete payment for their SFG registrations, they receive a "Payment Gateway Failed" error in Wild Apricot when paying with a credit card.
This issue can happen when using a saved card for a payment. Instead, select "Other card" (see screenshot to the left) and enter your card's details manually, and the payment will go through successfully.
All current invoices have gone through, but if you see the error in the future, just follow the above. And feel free to reach out to the Officers at admin@stonecirclecouncil.org if you need help or want to confirm! |
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Join Us! Have you registered yet? What are you waiting for! If you are planning to stay in a cabin or dorm: |
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And for all other registration options: |
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Where we gather, we are home. Where we go, we will raise Stones.
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THE STONE CIRCLE COUNCIL
