Ripple Effect Wellness Retreat

July 11-13, 2025 - Freedom, NY

Welcome Home! Ripple Effect Wellness Retreat is a substance-free and family-friendly music and wellness retreat. Together we grow in love through community focused workshops, ceremonies and live music performances, open mic opportunities, collaborative art, commUNITY potluck meals and more!

Ticket Information HERE
Inspiration for creating Ripple Effect and our dedicated mission HERE
Workshop information HERE
Live Music Artists information HERE

2024 Photo Gallery HERE

Facebook HERE
Instagram HERE

The Ripple Begins Within But Together We Can Create Waves.

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LIVE MUSIC

Heal. Grow. Connect. Laugh. Unite. Dance. Be.

Emerald Alliance

Emerald Alliance is a duo from Dayton, OH that consists of Moroni Lane and Mando McPickin. They share a vision to apply music to uplift and unify humanity. After having their own healing experiences with trauma and addiction their songs promote the power of Community, Love, and Consciousness. This musical collaboration is bringing forth a movement of Community and their songs speak as a Catalyst of Change. With music, Emerald Alliance hopes to create conversations and find new ways to heal as a human family.

Together We Will Take Our Power Back.

Website
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram

Stella Lumina

Enter the stellar, where word smithing truth meets dynamic grooves from all across the world. Stella Lumina is a female multi instrumentalist live looping duo in pure flow. Riding the hype of the moments melodies, Stella and Dani often accompany other front women, and tour as KR3TURE's live drum ensemble.

Website
Facebook
Instagram

Spotify
YouTube

Sam Frampton

Sam Frampton is a guitarist and singer-songwriter from the rural island of Maui. He studied music at the evergreen state college, in WA where he founded the successful student-led funk ensemble, "Gang of Wizards". After the pandemic and a critical arm injury changed his course, he went on to tour the country with trumpet player, Max Ribner's project, "1st Language." Sam brings it all together in his one man solo act, blending his Hawaiian style roots and culture with the funk, jazz, rock, and soul that has since shaped him. Innovative, clever, passionate, and a forever-student life, Sam Frampton, is destined to add new perspectives to the next generation of global music discourse.

Sam's LinkTree

Evan Sturgeon

Evan Sturgeon is a multi instrumentalist, live looper, musical healer, entertainer and songwriter with over 15 years of experience on stage! Known best for being the frontman of the band Sturg and Friends; his live looping, guitar solos, deep yet, catchy lyrics and tasteful blend of rock, reggae, funk, blues, psychedelic rock and more will have you dancing, smiling and singing along!

Sturg & Friends Website

Amanda Bridges

Through songwriting in the genre of mystic folk, Amanda creates a ceremonial music journey soothing the distorted sounds of the mind’s stories into a symphony of compassion and love. Performing on acoustic guitar or piano with multi-instrumental live-looping, Amanda illuminates the radiant glow living within the fire of every heart. We are all One.
No matter where we are in our individual journeys, if one of us falls we all fall. May we gather and meet One another behind all fears, all ego, all doubts, all judgments.
Together we rise.

Amanda's LinkTree

Ryan Kynd

Ryan Kynd is a multi instrumentalist singer-songwriter hailing from Peoria, IL. Blending upbeat acoustic melodies with introspective lyrics and conscious spoken word sensibilities, his music delivers a unique and engaging listening experience. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Mike Love and Sam Garrett, Ryan's music explores themes of expanded states of consciousness, social unification and personal growth. With seven years of live performance experience, Ryan has honed his craft on stages
throughout the region.

Facebook
YouTube
Instagram

Spiria

Spiria is an indie duo that creates colorful, dreamy soundscapes with lyrical melodies floating over intricately crafted drum parts. Siblings Mikayla and Johnny Manke started their band in 2022 after spending their lives bonding over music, and their close chemistry as brother and sister reveals itself in their creative process and performance. They released their first album Where the Pink Blossoms Resonate in September 2023 and are currently working on their second album to be released this year!

Instagram
Tik Tok
Interview with Spiria

Head To The Roots

Anthony and Chris are members of Head To The Roots, a dynamic roots rock band hailing from the heart of Rochester, New York. Their music is a blend of raw rock energy and folky introspection, often performed with collective improvisational spirit on stage.

Head To The Roots LinkTree

Devin Bender

Singer/Songwriter and ukulele enthusiast from southern Rhode Island, Devin Bender, shares intentional music featuring themes of mindfulness, consciousness, and community. Honing his craft through various campfire jams and plant medicine ceremonies, he’s coming to the beautiful region of upstate New York and looks forward to singing with all of you!

Devin's LinkTree

MYQ Farrow

Outside of the band Farrow, Michael Farrow aka MYQ F, a Buffalo-based singer-storyteller yells songs in the American folk tradition. By pulling historical lesson into a sacred space MYQ confronts the tension and isolation of modern life as they dream of ways to make our days better . MYQ F is currently working on a book on healing trauma through imagination.

MYQ F's LinkTree

Doug Wilder

Doug Wilder invites you to experience the rhythm of life through his soulful melodies. With a passion for story telling and a deep belief in the power of music to unite people, Doug crafts songs that resonate with heart and meaning. His uplifting blend of Reggae and Folk creates a feel-good sound thats's sure to bring a smile to your face and a spark to your soul.

Instagram
Spotify

Mando McPickin'

Mando Mcpickin is an intentional songwriter, multi-instrumental loop artist based out of Dayton, Ohio. His vast background in rural music, and a heartbeat pulsing with traditional rhythms, synchronize to channel the healing powers of sound thru vibration. He believes that music is the most high. He is focused on bridging the divide between roots music and the lifelong pursuit of bringing ancient tones to modern ears. With passion, work ethic, and creativity surging through his music this songwriter is making an impact and pushing the boundaries of sound.

Website

Marielle & The Flowers

Marielle & The Flowers is a musician and artist who focuses on earth based & heart connected music. She collaborates with local musicians to co-create uplifting tunes inspired by the blooms fo nature and community.

Website
Facebook
@the.farming.artist

WORKSHOPS & FACILITATORS

Heal. Grow. Connect. Laugh. Unite. Be.

Amanda Bridges

Opening & Closing Ceremony
Join Amanda in song, fire ceremony and celebration at opening and closing of the retreat!

Together we will reflect on what we would like to let go of which no longer serves us, and what we will like to call in so that we can create ripples of love throughout the weekend and beyond.

Co-creating an empowering experience we will always remember through authenticity, compassion, empathy and unconditional love is our mission. The ripple begins within but together we can create waves!

Amanda's LinkTree

Kevin May

Song Circle

Kevin May is an Author, Personal Development Coach, Singer and Poet from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the founder of Healing Is Cool, which is a company on a mission to make Holistic Living the cool thing to do.

Join Facilitator Kevin May, as he helps you to "Get out the way and let the Universe play!" We will gather around the sacred fire to activate our voices and unique creative expressions. Participants will have the opportunity to sing call and response songs, share freestyles, beatboxing, and improvisation. We will also have an opening and closing sharing circle where everyone will have the chance to speak their intentions and gratitude around the sacred fire.

Kevin's LinkTree

Meg Dixon

Body Talk Empowerment Workshop

Join me on a journey of exploration as we discuss the mind/body/soul connection and learn a technique that can improve our stress response system.

Website

James Van Eerden

Men's Circle & Medicine Circle

James is a Geologist, Mineral Specimen Miner, and Lapidary Artist from Southeast Wisconsin. At Home in the Outdoors, he Thrives Treasure Hunting Remote Landscapes for Earth’s Mineralogical Gifts. After Harvest, James Works Rough Rock to Showcase Nature’s Artistry. Through his Company, Talis Minerals, James Shares the Captivating Stories of each Rocks’ Unique Journey. A Freestyle Rapper, James has Spent Years Practicing the Art of Extemporaneous Expression. He Delights in Bending Words and Inventing Phrases. Ever Curious, James will Share with you how to Dehydrate a Watermelon, Bend a Rock, and Cast a School Bus Sized Soap Bubble. James Facilitates a Medicine Circle Workshop. The Workshop Guides One through Exercises Exploring Connection to Self and Community. This Process Reveals Novel Pathways to Relating and Nurtures Emotional Authenticity. In Addition, James Promotes Bibliotherapy, the Practice of Utilizing Books and Reading as a Pathway to Insight and Personal Evolution.

Facebook
Instagram: @jamesdigsrocks

Jocelyn Grimaldi

Women's Circle & Sound Bath

"I'm so passionate about leading women's circles where women can come together in a supportive, intentional, and open space to process their emotions, share their experiences, and connect deeply with one another. Through these circles, I offer a space for healing, inspiration, empowerment, and unity, helping women feel seen, heard, and supported as they navigate their personal journeys. My intention is rooted in fostering connection, self-expression, and emotional growth.

I became very inspired to offer women's circles in 2020 when I myself showed up to different community women's circles. I experienced such profound and transformative awakenings by gathering with other women and diving deep into our hearts. Being in safe spaces with women reminds me that we're never truly alone. While our stories and feelings are unique to each of us, they often share common threads that connect us to one another. When women come together in true support of one another, we create beautiful ripples in the world around us, and within us."

Jocelyn is the owner of Soulful Expression, a space where your natural essence, passions, creativities, inner-joys, and intuition evolve and awaken. She offers soul sessions to guide others on their path to inner peace while expressing and loving their true selves.

Instagram
Website

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Sierra Vaughn

Ego Alchemy: Embracing the Evolution of Self-Love Through Every Experience"

Sierra Vaughn is passionate about playfulness and preservation - preserving the self, the soil and the spirit of community. Guided by her motto - peace, love and practicality - she believes that joy is as regenerative as the land itself, nurturing every facet of our lives. With a deep love for herbalism, food preservation and holistic nutrition, she explores the connection between healing and hands-on creation.
Through self-work and cultivating balance in lifestyle, she encourages others to embrace sustainability not just in the world around them, but within themselves - creating ripples of well-being that extend into waves of collective unity.

Instagram: @mountain_of_annointed_valley

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Grace Kress

Yoga

Grace is a 500hr certified yoga student and guide. She has studied hatha yoga from the Himalayan Institute with influences in Ayurveda. Grace believes the goal of yoga is to find uniting resources within our selves and around our communities.

Hatha yoga incorporates breath awareness and body movements to guide one back into a steady internal environment. Grace's classes focus on joints, glands and foundational movement.

IG: @origingrace_

PLANT WALK

A guided, grounded, gratitude walk in the woods to identify and forage native medicinal plants.
Informative, experiential and hands on!

Led by a collective of medicine wombyn, honored to share the wisdom of the voiceless.

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In loving memory of George Penev

George passed on in a tragic way on a road called Liberty Street. A different street also named Liberty street is the only street that leads to Freedom, NY from our hometown. It is without a doubt that he guided us to this sacred land.

May Ripple Effect Wellness Retreat remain a safe space for every voice to be heard, for every heart to be followed, for every body to feel safe, for every soul to be remembered, for every mind to be inspired, for every being to be inspired.

May Ripple Effect Wellness Retreat carry the message for all who struggle with and all who are healing from mental health and/or substance use disorders remember that we are all worthy of love.

May Ripple Effect Wellness Retreat reflect that light within each and every heart, guiding us back home to unity through love, authenticity and commUNITY.

If you are struggling, trust you will be held here. May we heal together and also may we have a healthy balance of laughter and blissful fun this July!

One love, family!

Ticket Information & More!

HOW TO PURCHASE RETREAT PASSES:
Please email Amanda at rippleeffectwellnessretreat@gmail.com to book retreat passes for you, your friends and family.
Payments will be made through Venmo unless otherwise discussed.
(You will receive an email confirmation receipt of payment and a copy of your retreat passes will be sent via email!)
IF IT IS ALREADY FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY AND YOU WOULD LIKE A RETREAT PASS, CALL ME (Amanda: 716-698-2823) IF I DON'T ANSWER IMMEDIATELY, TEXT PLEASE!

Adult Weekend Passes: $70.00
Adult Day Passes: $45.00 per day
Kid's Passes: $15.00/weekend or $5.00/day
**NOTE: Children under age 12 are free!
***ADDRESS ONLY GIVEN ONCE A RETREAT PASS IS PURCHASED***

REFUND POLICY:
All ticket sales are final UNLESS the event is cancelled for any reason.
If event is cancelled, you will receive a full refund within 3-5 days of the event cancellation.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN:
WHILE PREPARING A DISH, PLEASE KEEP EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT NEEDS: FOOD ALLERGIES & DIETARY PREFERENCES!!!
- Bring 1 potluck dish to pass w/ notecard listing all ingredients OR bring a few loose food items to share with the community kitchen
- We have refrigeration, storage and a few outdoor propane stoves & firepits specifically designed for the kitchen, to heat dishes up!
- If you have any food allergies or dietary preferences please let me know, and we will be sure to accommodate you <3