tell your man to go away
…We have a Men’s Retreat!
Have you noticed that your man is more relaxed after spending time with his friends? Guys need time to hang out without trying to cater to someone else’s needs! And when you can celebrate hobbies together, it makes everything better!
Tips for Planning Men’s Retreats
Start with a theme. Center it on March Madness or a NASCAR race, hunting or fishing, bowling or baseball… A topic is a great way to break the ice and create opportunities for conversation.
Add quality content. Devotionals for men abound on sports, fishing, hunting, and work, as well as advice on being a good dad. Target one theme and let it be the springboard for everything else. Kids have to work harder to connect, so set them up for success by encouraging opportunities around a campfire and in small groups. Sometimes it can be less threatening to talk while working. Maybe that can happen at a Habitat for Humanity workplace or on a ropes course, doing team-building exercises? Conversation skills can be learned in a shared setting that is non-threatening. And when kids connect, they find a support system to help them navigate the rapids of life!
Add a place. Will it be a tent, cabins, a conference center or a 5-star hotel? Each piece of the puzzle fits together to help determine the follow up of the theme. Whether your retreat is for a full weekend or just a fun night out at the bowling alley, the location will equip you for the next question.
What about the food? Perhaps the ladies would help prepare some delicious snacks to stay on topic? Steamed chili for a snowmobile excursion or hoagies for a golf outing? Or check the catering prices of a local restaurant and calculate that amount in your retreat expenses.
Will you share a car? Rent a bus? Shared transportation adds to the camaraderie of the adventure and will feature in the bottom line. Calculate all your expenses together and organize your advertising. How will you spread the word? Email, Facebook, flyers and posters all help. But, above all, the best public relations are still word of mouth. When guys are passionate about their favorite team, do they keep it to themselves? NO! They tell everyone! So encourage them to do “Boy Things” and let the macho roll!