Camp Mary
The Next Gathering
✦ Purpose
Camp Mary is not a retreat. It is not a conference.
It is the first gathering of the people helping steward the next chapter of Shope Creek Wilderness, the Hollow Bone Initiative, and the emerging Signal Stack ecosystem.
The purpose is simple:
Slow down.
Build friendships.
Share meals.
Explore new forms of exchange.
Introduce the Hollow Bone Initiative.
Document the birth of a new stewardship model.
Let the land do what the land has always done.
Everything returns to one question:
What wants to emerge here?
✦ An Introduction
Camp Mary is how people meet the Hollow Bone Initiative.
The Hollow Bone Initiative is the real project. Shope Creek Wilderness is simply the first place where it is being tested. Camp Mary is the gathering where the right people are introduced to it — not through a presentation, but through direct experience.
The initiative exists to explore two questions: Can collective consciousness move beyond fear? And can we create new forms of exchange based on participation rather than transaction?
A New Way of Exchange
The gathering models a different kind of exchange — participation over transaction, contribution over cost, relationship over contract. Healing, music, meals, conversation, and presence are offered freely, and what emerges is the value.
✦ The Setting
Asheville, North Carolina
According to consumer wellness reports, Asheville, North Carolina holds the title of the top Wellness Town — and the natural home for an experiment in land-based healing, creative community, and a new model of exchange.
✦ The Point
Stephen asked two questions.
Can we move collective consciousness beyond fear? And can we create a new form of exchange based on participation rather than transaction?
Camp Mary is where we begin answering the second question — not philosophically, but structurally.
The Experiment
Three founders are placing part of what they're building into the Hollow Bone Initiative before success.
The gathering explores whether stewards might come forward to put capital behind those builders — and whether that same spirit could Fill the Well so the mission has the resources to begin.
Everyone invited is being invited into the experience — and given the chance to participate if it resonates.
A New Exchange Model
Founders contribute ownership.
Stewards contribute capital — if they choose to.
The nonprofit receives productive assets.
The businesses receive the fuel to grow.
The Well receives cash to begin the mission.
If the companies succeed, Hollow Bone participates in that success — and that success can support the next people, projects, land, artists, elders, and companies.
The retreat is not a launch party. It is the first table where the people, the companies, the land, the mission, and the legal structure all meet — and where everyone gets to see the entire system together and ask:
Does this actually work?
Is this legally sound?
Is this ethically sound?
Is this worth stewarding together?
The Guiding Sentence
We are not gathering to convince anyone. We are gathering to determine whether this new form of exchange is worthy of becoming real.
✦ See What You're Being Invited Into
The first Camp Mary.
A PLACE WHERE THINGS ARE BORN.
Presented by
Shope Creek Wilderness
A Hollow Bone Initiative Gathering
Hosted by
Stephen, Mary, Craig, Jamie & Lion
✦ Camp Mary Team
The ones holding the gathering.
Stephen Sedmak
Co-Founder · Shope Creek Wilderness
Creator of the Hollow Bone Initiative
Stephen has spent 12 years stewarding Shope Creek Wilderness and cultivating the Field, while exploring whether collective consciousness can move beyond fear and whether new forms of exchange can emerge through participation rather than transaction.
Mary Sedmak
Co-Founder · Shope Creek Wilderness
Keeper of Shope Creek
Mary has quietly stewarded the heart of the property for 12 years. She began her career teaching special education in inner-city Philadelphia, later returned to school and earned her master’s degree in education at age 50, and cleared Stage IV colon cancer in less than 90 days — her own story, not a claim. Through hospitality, wisdom, and care, she has created the environment that allows transformation to happen naturally.
Craig Rose
Founder · The Signal Stack
Entrepreneurship · AI · Media · Storytelling
Craig brings together entrepreneurship, AI, media, publishing, and storytelling. His work focuses on building new models of stewardship where technology and creativity strengthen mission.
Jamie Tanzer
Writer · Storyteller
Founding Steward
Jamie helps translate complex ideas into deeply personal narratives centered on healing, courage, and transformation. As a founding steward, she helps shape the story of the initiative.
Lion Laguna
Camp Mary Host
Experience Guide
Lion helps steward the overall experience, creating an atmosphere where relationships, conversation, and community naturally flourish throughout the gathering.
Jackson Averett
Filmmaker
Director · The Deer Trail
Jackson is documenting the emergence of the Hollow Bone Initiative and the people helping shape its future through his film, The Deer Trail.
Brittany Arnold
Camp Mary Chef
Hospitality
Brittany creates the shared experience around the table through hospitality and thoughtfully prepared meals that bring the group together throughout the gathering.
Joda Williams
Founder · Human Potential Initiative
The Field · Healing & Transformation
Joda runs point on The Field, guiding participants through the experience and bringing her full healing practice into the space. She holds the healing and transformation layer the whole Field is built around.
Robert Davis
Co-Founder · Plant-Based Food Pioneer
Transformational Guide · Hollow Bone Initiative
Robert has been creating the future of plant-based food since 1979, developing Light Links, Alpha Dog, and co-founding Alpha Foods. A Certified Professional Life Coach, clinical hypnotherapist, and author of A Personal Planetary Awakening, he brings together nourishment, spiritual evolution, and personal transformation. He is one of three businesses that have joined the Hollow Bone Initiative alongside Spiritual Plants and Your Health Is Your Wealth.
✦ Guest Artists & Facilitators
Art. Music. Ceremony. Nature.
Kenny McCormick IV
Music
Singer · Songwriter · Recording Artist
Kenny's music explores healing, identity, and transformation. He performs material from his new album during the Tuesday evening creative program.
Patricc Reed
Art
Visual Artist · Creative Collaborator
Bringing painting, installation, and visual storytelling to Camp Mary. Patricc closes the Tuesday evening program with a live art experience.
Ruby Chase
Music
Singer-Songwriter
Leading music and Wednesday evening's cacao ceremony, weaving together cacao, music, presence, and connection for the group.
Deva Runa
Music
Musician · Ceremonial Artist
Helping create spaces for reflection, music, and community. Deva co-leads the Wednesday evening cacao ceremony alongside Ruby Chase.
Jimmy Flinders
Music
Singer-Songwriter
Leading Thursday morning's closing music and reflection, helping the group integrate the experience before departures.
Jill Haynie
Podcast
Creator & Host · Hammered Podcast
Jill is the creator and host of the Hammered Podcast, now approaching Season 14 and essentially her project. She shares the story of Shope Creek Wilderness while exploring consciousness, healing, spirituality, and transformation through the show.
Steve Miller
Nature
Forest Bathing Guide · Alchemist
An experiential teacher helping participants reconnect with nature through direct experience. Steve guides forest bathing sessions on the property.
Stacey McDaniel
Bright Light Healing
Intuitive Guide
Offering personal readings and reflective conversations throughout Camp Mary. Stacey brings intuitive guidance to the individual experience.
Frances Domingues
Art
Contemporary Fine Artist · Reclaimed Metal Artist · Light Language Practitioner
Frances is a contemporary fine artist who uses reclaimed metal as her primary substrate, transforming rust and imperfection through a process she describes as alchemy. At Camp Mary, she brings the perspective of an artist who sees discarded materials as surfaces carrying history and possibility.
Sadhvi Gantenbein
Community
Realtor · Community Connector · Former Member of the Osho Community
Sadhvi is an Asheville-area realtor whose understanding of land and community is shaped by a life of intentional living. She previously lived as part of the Osho community in Oregon, giving her a distinctive perspective on shared purpose and how physical spaces can support transformation.
Forrest Green
Facilitator
Forrest Mystery in Sequoia · Holistic Energy & Sound Practitioner
Forrest is an Asheville-based facilitator whose lifelong exploration of consciousness has included meditation, yoga, clinical psychology, energetic healing, and Qi Gong. Through his SOUL SOURCE Healing Energetics work, he helps people deepen their connection to soul essence, purpose, and source.
✦ Founding Retreaters
The gathering.
One land.
This stopped looking like a retreat a while ago. It's starting to look like the founding council of the ecosystem.
Dave Duffin
Entrepreneur
Founder · Zuka Juice · Rumbi Island Grill · Zao Asian Cafe
Brand builder and legacy-focused founder exploring family, stewardship, and the future through My Psychedelic Family. His ventures have shaped how communities gather and connect.
Solomon Duffin
Next Generation
Dave's Son
Completing his Master's in Software Engineering before hiking the Appalachian Trail. Solomon represents the next generation of AI, software, and stewardship.
Dale Sanders
Healthcare Technology
Systems Thinker
Nationally recognized healthcare technology pioneer whose work in analytics and systems thinking has transformed how organizations improve human outcomes.
David Dame
Entrepreneur
Mentor · Board Advisor
Longtime friend of Dave Duffin. A trusted guide known for his steady presence, wisdom, and encouragement throughout the journey.
Sean Dame
Extreme Athlete
Wingsuit Pilot · BASE Jumper
Creative entrepreneur exploring storytelling, branding, and adventure. Sean is a wingsuit pilot and BASE jumper pushing the edges of what is possible.
✦ Camp Mary Community
Not because they all think alike.
Camp Mary intentionally brings together founders, artists, technologists, healthcare innovators, entrepreneurs, musicians, storytellers, land stewards, nonprofit leaders, families, and seekers — not because they all think alike, but because each person stewards something unique.
Together, they create the conditions for new ideas, meaningful relationships, and the next chapter of the Hollow Bone Initiative to emerge.
✦ Themes
Throughout Camp Mary we will explore:
✦ The Dates
August 17–21, 2026
Confirmed. First the special gathering. Then the documentary. Then we launch.
Monday
Aug 17
Opening Night
Arrivals, airport pickups & check-in throughout the day.
Opening Night Dinner — a relaxed gathering to welcome everyone, meet the group, and settle into the energy of the land.
Tuesday
Aug 18
Welcome to the Land
Welcome to Shope Creek — Stephen shares the history of the land and the vision for THE FIELD.
Morning & afternoon Gator Tours, Stacey readings & Joda introductions.
Evening — Your Health Is Your Wealth: AI, Music, Story & Live Art with Kenny McCormick IV and Patricc Reed.
Wednesday
Aug 19
Health, Wellness & The Land
The Stories of Shope Creek — a living history told by the people who know the land.
Harmonic Egg sessions & parallel land and wellness experiences throughout the day.
Jill Haynie: Her Story — an intimate hour of personal journey.
Evening — Cacao, Music & Ceremony with Ruby Chase.
Thursday
Aug 20
Completion, Integration & Asheville
Morning Harmonic Egg sessions.
Final Debrief Brunch — reflection, integration, and next steps.
Transitions & departures throughout the afternoon.
Evening — Pickleball & karaoke in downtown Asheville.
Friday
Aug 21
Departures
Charlotte Airport departures throughout the day.
✦ From the Archive
Camp Mary — The First Gathering
Jackson's Camera · Camp Mary · August 2026
✦ The Balcony Will Never Be The Same
Kenny McCormick IV sings
"Open Heart"
✦ The Camp Mary Principle
Nobody is here because of a title.
Nobody is here because of a company.
Nobody is here because of a résumé.
Everyone is here because they have something meaningful to contribute to a conversation larger than themselves.
The invitation is simple:
— Come as you are.
— Listen deeply.
— Build relationships.
— Ask better questions.
And together… discover what wants to emerge here.
✦ The Invitation
We're discovering
what this becomes.
Nobody knows what Shope Creek is yet. That's the point. The people in this room are the ones who help figure it out.
Come be part of what gets built.
✦ A Hemp-Based Sacrament
HOLY
WATER
Camp Mary is not a psychedelic retreat.
There are no mushrooms.
There is no 5-MeO.
There is no ayahuasca.
There are no illegal substances.
What exists here is something much simpler:
Presence.
Conversation.
Nature.
Creativity.
Community.
And for those who choose it — Holy Water.
✦ What Is Holy Water?
A hemp-derived sacramental beverage.
Legal. Accessible. Intentional.
It was born from a simple observation: many people are curious about expanded states of awareness but are not looking for a heroic journey.
They're looking for:
Holy Water was designed to support those experiences while remaining grounded in everyday life.
✦ Why Hemp?
For years Craig hosted and participated in transformational experiences across different settings.
5-MeO retreats in Mexico
Mushroom retreats at Rainbow Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Creative gatherings centered around music, art, and storytelling
While those experiences were powerful, they were not always accessible. Holy Water emerged as a different path.
A gentler path.
A legal path.
A path that can be integrated into community, creativity, and conversation without requiring people to leave ordinary life behind.
✦ The Camp Mary Approach
The land is the medicine.
The creek is the medicine.
The conversations are the medicine.
The music is the medicine.
The art is the medicine.
Holy Water is simply one optional tool within that environment. It is not the center of the experience.
People come for:
Holy Water simply supports the atmosphere.
✦ A Different Kind of Gathering
What if adults could reconnect with wonder
without needing to escape themselves?
What if healing looked more like:
A campfire.
A song.
A walk through the forest.
A deep conversation.
A shared meal.
A creative breakthrough.
And what if the most powerful thing wasn't what you consumed…
but who you became while you were there?
Camp Mary
A Shope Creek Experience
The land is the medicine.
The people are the magic.
The story continues.
✦ The Moments
What it actually feels like.
