Yes.
It’s October in the mountains, so expect chilly mornings and evenings. Bring warm clothes, a good sleeping bag, and maybe an extra blanket.
You’ll survive. In fact, you might even enjoy it. There’s something about being a little cold around a campfire that builds character, or at least gives men something to complain about together.
Yes. That’s part of the point.
Camping takes a little work. You have to pack your gear, set up your tent, sleep on the ground, deal with the cold, and live without all the normal comforts for a couple of days.
But that’s exactly why we’re doing it.
The goal is to break away from the normal routine, detach from the constant distractions, get outside, and create space for God to work. Sometimes getting your head and heart in the right place requires stepping away from comfort for a little while.
So yes, camping is a little inconvenient. You’ll be fine. And you may find that the inconvenience is part of what makes the weekend meaningful.
You can arrive anytime after 2:00 PM on Friday.
I highly recommend getting there as early as you can. You’ll avoid driving the mountain roads after dark, have plenty of time to set up camp, relax, enjoy the lake, and get more out of the weekend before the retreat officially gets rolling.
We’ll be staying at Pioneer Trail Camp in Pinecrest, California, very close to Pinecrest Lake.
Expect fresh mountain air, campfires, time outdoors, good conversations, and a chance to unplug from the normal distractions of everyday life.
There are pit toilets and running water.
There are no showers.
It’s a men’s retreat. You’ll be okay. Bring deodorant, embrace the mountain air, and remember that everyone else is in the same situation.
We’ll post a full menu as we get closer to the retreat.
The plan is to make sure everyone is well fed. If you leave hungry, that’s probably on you.
If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know ahead of time so we can plan accordingly.
The cost is $50 per person.
That fee helps cover food and supplies, but to be honest, it does not come close to covering the actual cost of the retreat. The church and several generous people help make the weekend possible because we believe investing in men is worth it.
More importantly, we never want money to be the reason someone stays home. If the cost would keep you from coming, please reach out to me directly. We’ll make it work.
The focus of the weekend is growing as Christian men.
We’ll spend time in group Bible study, worship, discussion, and prayer as we talk honestly about what it means to act like a man according to Scripture.
We’ll also be near the lake, so there will be time for fishing. Bring your fishing gear if you have it. There will also be time for campfires, hanging out, being outdoors, and enjoying a weekend away with other men from church.
Yes, sons are welcome.
Last year we allowed some younger boys to come, and for many fathers and sons, it was a great experience. That said, I’m asking everyone to use discretion.
You know your son better than anyone else does. If he is old enough to enjoy the weekend, participate appropriately, and allow you to actually engage in the teaching and conversations, then bring him.
But if you already know that bringing him means you’ll spend the whole weekend chasing him around, managing meltdowns, or being completely distracted, it may be better to wait another year. You know who you are. You know your kid. Use wisdom.
No, not at all.
This retreat is for all men—single men, married men, fathers, grandfathers, young adults, and men in every stage of life.
Teenagers are also welcome, even if their father or parent is not able to come. The goal is to gather men together around Scripture, purpose, responsibility, and brotherhood.
Absolutely not.
In fact, this is exactly the kind of event where you can meet people and get more connected with the men from church. Whether you’ve been around for years or you’re brand new, you’re welcome.
Come anyway. By the end of the weekend, you’ll know people.
No.
You do not have to be a church member to come. This is a great event for visitors, guests, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and anyone who would benefit from a weekend with Christian men.
Absolutely.
This is precisely the kind of event to invite someone who may not regularly attend our church. If you have a friend, brother, coworker, neighbor, or someone else who could benefit from a weekend of Bible study, fellowship, and time outdoors, invite him.
Cell service is very limited.
From what we know, the only carrier with limited service in the area is Verizon. Everyone else should expect little to no signal.
Honestly, that’s part of the blessing. Let your family know ahead of time, plan accordingly, and enjoy a weekend without your phone constantly buzzing.
I suppose so, if that is truly the only option.
But the retreat will be most beneficial if you come for the whole thing. The weekend is designed as a complete experience, and you’ll get the most out of it by being there from Friday through Sunday.
If you can make the whole weekend work, do that.
We try to wrap up around noon on Sunday.
That gives us time for breakfast, a final gathering, packing up camp, and heading home at a reasonable hour.
Don’t let that stop you.
Reach out to me or one of the other men from church. There’s a good chance someone has an extra tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, camp chair, or other gear you can borrow.
You can also rent camping gear from Sports Basement in the Bay Area. They rent tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves, and just about anything else you might need.
If camping gear is the only thing keeping you from coming, we’ll help you figure it out.
Contact Oscar Maldonado with any questions.