October 23–25, 2026 · Callaway, VA
A weekend in the Blue Ridge
Three days in the Blue Ridge with a small group of men: guided practices, shared meals, fireside conversation and quiet time under the stars. No lectures. You take part, and you go home clearer and more connected.
- When
- Friday–Sunday, October 23–25, 2026
6:00 PM Friday to 1:30 PM Sunday - Where
- Phoebe Needles Center, Callaway, VA
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional (ROA), about 45 minutes away - Cost
- $700, lodging and meals included
Balance due October 8, 2026 - Questions
- todd@menliving.org
The weekend
MenLiving Foundational Training
Built on three things, and no podium.
What it’s for
- Connection. Get closer to yourself, to other men, and to the mountains.
- Growth. Spot the patterns holding you back and practise something new.
- Fun. Play, a little adventure, and a few days unplugged.
What to expect
- Hands-on practice. Exercises that challenge your assumptions and get you thinking.
- Time by the fire. Shared meals, honest conversation, quiet under the stars.
- Tools you keep. Things you can use the week you get home.
What’s included
- Lodging at the historic Phoebe Needles Center
- All meals, Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
- Materials and facilitation
- Integration calls before and after the weekend
Before you register
This is not therapy. It’s deep, sometimes uncomfortable work, and it asks for emotional stability. If you are carrying unresolved trauma, this may not be the right weekend for you.
What we ask of you
- A short interview, if this is your first MenLiving weekend.
- You take responsibility for your own physical, emotional and mental well-being.
- Stay open to feedback and take part from start to finish.
- Dry and unplugged: no alcohol, drugs or devices.
Payment
- Cancel and you receive 50% credit, minus the deposit, toward a future MenLiving weekend.
- Deposits are non-refundable.
- Balance due October 8, 2026.
Need a different payment arrangement? Write to todd@menliving.org.
Questions men ask
Is this a religious retreat?
No. Phoebe Needles is an Episcopal center; MenLiving is secular. We use their quiet space in the mountains for growth and connection, not religious instruction.
I’ve never done a men’s group. Is this for me?
Yes. This is the entry point. There are no experts here, just men looking for more authenticity and resilience. You don’t need to know anything before you show up.
What does “dry and unplugged” mean?
No alcohol or recreational drugs, and phones off and put away. We give your family an emergency contact number.
Is this therapy?
No. It is deeply personal and often healing, but it is peer-led experiential training, not clinical therapy.
What about dietary needs?
Phoebe Needles has a full-service kitchen and can accommodate most needs. Tell us when you register.
Ready when you are
Most circles are free. Find a date that works for you, and take part by listening or sharing.