Men's Retreats
Men’s retreats have roots in ancient rite-of-passage traditions, indigenous initiatory practices, and religious monastic gatherings designed to help men clarify identity, purpose, and community roles. Over time, these evolved into modern formats ranging from wilderness quests and spiritual immersions to emotional-growth circles and high-performance coaching retreats. The benefits typically include deeper self-awareness, emotional resilience, renewed purpose, stronger relationships, and a sense of brotherhood that counters the isolation many men experience. Most retreats follow a structure of guided group sessions, solo reflection, movement or somatic work, and communal rituals over two to five days. In recent years, the most popular formats have been contemporary “men’s work” retreats such as Sacred Sons, Everyman, MKP, and wilderness-based rites of passage, reflecting a cultural surge in men seeking meaningful connection and personal transformation.
Below is a breakdown of the styles of popular Men's Retreats
Category
Style
Activities
Focuses on emotional literacy, shadow work, vulnerability, relational skills, and reclaiming authentic masculinity. Participants work through personal blocks, wounds, and leadership patterns.
Everyman, Sacred Sons, Men’s Circle–based collectives
Men’s circles, truth-telling, somatic processing, breathwork, guided emotional release, partner exercises, accountability practices.
Spiritual / Mindfulness
Centered on inner stillness, presence, meditation, and reconnecting to a sense of meaning, purpose, and grounded masculinity. Often contemplative.
Spirit Rock, Buddhist sanghas, Zen centers, Yoga Ashrams, Christian men’s ministries
Meditation, breathwork, silent periods, dharma talks, nature immersion, tea ceremony, mindful movement.
Trauma-Healing / Somatic Therapeutic
Designed for men healing from trauma, grief, addiction, anxiety, or relational wounds with structured therapeutic approaches.
Therapist-led retreats, licensed trauma practitioners, grief organizations
Somatic experiencing, trauma-release modalities, EMDR-informed practices, breathwork, grief rituals, group therapy.
Mythic / Archetypal
Inspired by Joseph Campbell and Robert Bly, these retreats use mythology, ritual, and symbolism to explore identity, purpose, and masculinity.
ManKind Project, The Mythic Masculine, mythopoetic men’s communities
Rituals, fire circles, storytelling, drumming, archetype work (King/Warrior/Magician/Lover), initiatory rites.
Nature / Wilderness
Nature-based immersion focused on confronting challenge, cultivating resilience, and deepening self-connection through solitude and survival experiences.
Rites of passage organizations, wilderness schools, Outward Bound (adult programs), Animas Valley Institute.
Solo fasts, camping, fire building, hiking treks, primitive skills, sweat lodges, council circles.
Brotherhood & Connection
Less intensive, more relational. Centered on building trust, friendship, community, and belonging among men.
Local men’s groups, meetup-based communities, co-ops
Men’s circles, team-building activities, shared meals, games, hikes, storytelling, creative workshops.
Leadership & Purpose
Retreats that help men clarify values, career direction, life mission, and relational leadership. Often attended by founders, creatives, and executives.
Conscious Leadership Group (CLG), Purpose-focused coaches, entrepreneurial leadership cohorts.
Leadership circles, values exploration, vision quests (symbolic), executive coaching, journaling, somatic presence practices.
2–4 days
Physical Challenge & Fitness
Hard-charging retreats that use physical challenge to build grit, camaraderie, and discipline as pathways to emotional and mental wellbeing.
XPT Life, Wim Hof Method instructors, Jiu-jitsu schools, CrossFit communities
Strength training, cold plunges, martial arts, endurance challenges, obstacle courses, yoga, breathwork.
1–4 days
Focused on building specific competencies such as communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, or creative expression.
Authentic Relating Training (ART), Circling Europe, writing collectives, leadership coaches.
Role-plays, interpersonal work, communication drills, creativity workshops, writing, public speaking.
1–3 days
Fatherhood
For men wanting to deepen their presence, emotional communication, and parenting skill. Sometimes father-child retreats.
Men’s parenting coaches, family therapy centers, faith-based communities
Father-son or father-daughter bonding activities, emotional processing groups, parenting workshops, play-based exercises.
2–4 days
Faith-Based/Religious
Religious or spiritual retreats rooted in devotional practice, scripture, and fellowship.
Churches, synagogues, mosques, Christian men’s ministries, Catholic retreats
Prayer circles, scripture study, worship, service projects, fellowship groups, nature walks.
2–4 days
Founders & High-Performance
Retreats targeting male founders, executives, and creators seeking clarity, mindset upgrades, and community with other high-performers.
EO, YPO offsites, mastermind groups, coaching collectives
Workshops, mastermind circles, sauna/cold plunge, breathwork, strategic planning, mindfulness training.
2–5 days
Brotherhood Adventure
Experiential retreats for men who want camaraderie through shared adventure, challenge, and novelty.
Adventure outfitters, veteran-led experiences, surf & jiu-jitsu communities.
Surfing, rock climbing, rafting, mountain biking, wilderness exploration, tactical training.
3-7 days
Creativity, Expression & Artistic
Centers on self-expression, storytelling, creativity, and artistic exploration as pathways to emotional insight.
Writers’ collectives, expressive arts therapists, men’s creative communities
Writing workshops, drumming, dance, painting, poetry circles, embodiment practices.
1–4 days.
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