The Chesapeake Men's Gathering ™
    at Ramblewood Resort, Darlington, Maryland

A Men's Retreat for Growth and Renewal: Our 19^th Year [in previous years at Buffalo Gap Camp in West Virginia]
Friday through Sunday, October 9 - 11, 2009 sponsored by The Men's Council of Greater Washington

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Washington DC, Metro Area: 11:51 PM, Thursday July 2, 2009

Last update:
01-Jul-2009

So, you're a man. What's next? ™
Discover and explore the power of men's community.
Connect with other men.
Share your wisdom and passion.

A place to ask the important questions.
The Chesapeake Men's Gathering ™
Find out what Men's Work is all about.

October 9 - 11 at Ramblewood Resort near Havre de Grace, MD
Our 19th year! Formerly the Annual Gathering of Men at Buffalo Gap
Register now at www.MensWork.org - Online Registration

This year's theme

Looking Back/Looking Forward: What do Men Need Today?

Some of the issues that we might explore include:

• Is there a place and a need in today's world for male community?
• What can we gain from it?
• What might it look like?
• Should we be about healing?
• What about developing a deeper connection to our being men, exploring gender roles, parenting, personal mission, internal/spiritual growth, etc.?

What to Expect

The weekend will be centered on presentations that address the theme of the weekend. Expect to hear personal stories, prose, poetry, and sharing of personal philosophy and wisdom - all from the heart, reflecting the passions of the speakers. These will be followed by time to reflect, react and speak about what you heard, combining time to speak one-on-one with other men and to meet in small groups to process and to add your own passion into the 'mix'.

As in the past, the weekend also includes powerful rituals, opportunity to speak from the heart and be heard (talking stick), sweat lodges, drumming, a bonfire gathering, storytelling, and poetry. Throughout the weekend, the experiential activities encourage us to honor ourselves and share the passions, paths and purposes that enrich our lives.

Open to Men and Boys

This event is still the only local retreat which brings together men and their sons. It is a place for brothers, fathers, and friends to share their hearts and life experiences with other men and boys. Each man, young and old, is empowered to connect authentically, take risks, and grow in a safe and sacred space in a beautiful secluded setting, surrounded by nature.

Interested in speaking at this year's Gathering

• Do you have some fire about the roots of men's work and where we started out?
• Do you have passion about the future of our work and ideas about what men might need in today's world?
• Do you have
  • some wisdom to share?
  • a story to tell?
  • a poem that comes from your heart, your belly, your core?

Can you speak from your heart, without notes, in a way that can "stir the pot"? We are looking for men to give short presentations - no more then 10 minutes or so - but a juicy 10 minutes.
If so, contact Earl Foote at 301-982-5127 or workshops@menswork.org.

We are looking for men that want to get involved!

Do you have some ideas? Are you passionate about men's work?

Some ways that men could get involved include:

• Reaching out to other men's groups e.g. Sterling graduates and maybe even the fraternal orders (Masons, Shriners, etc.) - see if they would be interested in joining with us
• Reach out to local churches (Unitarian or otherwise) that might have men's groups, or just scope out places we might post some announcements
• Help us with the development of our marketing materials (flyers, posters, etc.)
• Look at ways we might generate some energy:
  • Do you have writing skills? We want to create a press release about this year's gathering.
  • Do you have artistic skills? We need a new logo!
  • Help us brainstorm around other ways we might get the word out
  • Help us look at better ways we might use the Men's Council website: www.menswork.org

Contact Andrew Gross at Andrew@menswork.org or call at 410-796-3654 (And finally, don't let circumstances keep you away - scholarships and work exhanges are available)

* The phrases "So you're a man. What's Next?™" and "The Chesapeake Men's Gathering™" are trademarks of the Men's Council of Greater Washington