Father & Son Wilderness Retreat
Where Generations Journey Together
At a Glance
This retreat invites a multi-generational mix of sons and fathers to experience each other, like no other. An opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life and into presence, reflection, and connection. Situated on 850 acres of remote wilderness, this retreat will open hearts and deepen connections with the people we love. Limited spots available.
Dates
October 9-13, 2026
Location
850 acres of private wilderness, 50 acres of fresh water, and superbly appointed accommodations 45 minutes north of Syracuse, NY
Commitment
4 nights and 5 days in the company of sons and fathers committed to love, understanding, and growth.
Inclusions
Lodging, meals, snacks, beverages, guided activities, breathwork ceremony, meditation, yoga, sauna, cold plunge, fishing, canoeing, etc.
Dads have stories to tell. Sons have questions to ask. Both just want to be heard.
Life moves quickly. Roles shift. Time slips. And yet, beneath it all one thing never changes - our longing to be seen and feel heard. What if you could step away with your aging father or your growing son for a singular purpose:
To get closer to one other
To honor the past and prepare for the future
To enjoy time, develop understanding, and create memories
To build meaning and purpose into the next chapter of your relationship together
This wilderness retreat is designed to support personal transformation, relational growth, and human connection benefiting not only father and son, but the families and communities that love them.
The Experience
My dad died and it made me realize how much life we had yet to live together. Not to mention, most of the profound memories I had with my father took place in remote wilderness settings. That’s where the two of us found the presence of one another. It was in these moments we gave each other permission to be curious, find beauty, and connect on the stuff that matters.
This program is built to put fathers and sons at the intersection of serenity and magic - where two family members can share precious, even magical moments not typically found in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Across five days, you'll move through a rhythm of shared and individual experiences that may include:
Hiking
Canoeing
Holotropic Breathwork
Campfires
Stargazing
Saunas
Cold Plunges
Fishing
Yoga
This Is Important If:
✓ Your father is getting older AND you want more time with him
✓ Your son is growing up AND you crave more shared experiences
✓ Your familial bonds need attention AND your life needs slowing
✓ Your mind and body need nurturing AND so does your heart and soul
It's one thing to give yourself the gift of time.
It's another to share that gift with someone you love.
When Was the Last Time You…
During this retreat, fathers and sons will move through a series of experiential, somatic, and interpersonal exercises that will inspire a special form of bonding. Structured and unstructured sessions will lead to discoveries about the relationship we hold with ourselves and each other. The interactive and interpersonal programming will open doors, invite honesty, and deepen our collective understanding. When was the last time you:
Outwardly admired your father or son?
Presented a hardship or asked for help?
Authentically shared a life-changing moment, secret, or dream?
Told the truth about a past failures current goal, or future fear?
Discussed your views on growing up, growing old, or even death?
Genuinely expressed personal regrets or hidden aspirations?
Revealed untold stories about past generations?
Set the proverbial table for a relationship unrealized?
These inquiries are invitations not obligations!
The Setting: Vanderkamp
This environment has been chosen intentionally to support the emotional and relational arc of this specific retreat:
• 850 acres of remote wilderness, meandering wooded trails, open fields, and private lakes.
• Well appointed cabins and lodges with comfortable beds, kitchens, and entertainment spaces.
• Indoor and outdoor fireplaces for intimate evening sessions
• Outdoor spaces ideal for meditation, yoga, reading, writing and naps.
• Fitness area, sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and ceremony rooms for breathwork.
• Quiet waterfront areas for canoeing, fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, or just hanging out.
The Facilitators
Christopher Robbins and his son Oakley will co-facilitate this experience. Together they bring real-world exposure in striving and failing, rising and falling. They are intensely curious people dedicated to the well-being of men and boys. With both facilitation and teaching experience, both are equipped with the perfect combination of honesty, emotion, humor, and awareness.
This retreat is not an alternative to family therapy, nor will it involve fixing, coaching, or teaching. Christopher and Oakley will serve as introspective guides encouraging self-discovery rather than problem solving.
The purpose of this multi-day retreat is to support sons and fathers in finding presence, strengthening connection, and embracing our collective humanity.
A Tailored Experience
Regardless of who is inviting who, each father and son will be asked to complete a detailed survey to help us understand:
What you enjoy doing solo
What you enjoy doing with your loved one
Your interests, concerns, and intentions for the retreat
The kind of conversations and type of connection you seek
Personal preferences including dietary, drink, accommodations, etc.
We are committed to delivering the most impactful experience while honoring the importance of father-son intimacy throughout the retreat.
You do not need previous experience with yoga, meditation, or backcountry travel. Activities will be designed for all physical abilities.
FAQs
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Sons and Fathers seeking deeper connection, honest conversation, and shared time in nature with their loved one. Participants must be 21+ and both parties must demonstrate a willingness to be present, open and willing.
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October 9-13, 2026, at Vanderkamp in upstate New York, easily accessible by car from the Syracuse Airport (SYR). Private transportation available upon request. The property is 850 acres of private wilderness with very comfortable lodging and amenities.
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We'll provide detailed travel information and can help coordinate private transportation or ride sharing options. Regional airports include: Syracuse, NY (45 mins) Buffalo, NY (3 hrs) Albany, NY (2 hrs).
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To maintain intimacy and ensure deep connection between all participants, space will be limited (intentionally). This is not a large group experience. Maximum 16
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Lodging, all meals, beverages, snacks, guided activities (hiking, canoeing, fishing, yoga, meditation, breathwork), sauna, cold plunge, fitness facility, and any required reading materials. Specific details will be provided upon registration.
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You should be comfortable with light to moderate outdoor activities—trail walking, canoeing, stretching/yoga, recreational swimming, etc. This is not extreme wilderness travel, but you'll want to arrive ready to move your body and engage physically.
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No experience required. All practices are accessible and guided. This is about opening to new experiences together, not mastering techniques.
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Meals are prepared fresh, on-site. by a well-trained renown local chef. Attention will be paid to quality and dietary needs. You'll complete an intake survey to share preferences and restrictions. Sleeping accommodations are very comfortable beds in cabins/lodges. Single room occupancy for all, unless otherwise requested.
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$4250 per person for a 4 night / 5 day all inclusive retreat including pre-retreat calls and post-retreat Zoom sessions to integrate takeaways. This is an investment in your relationship and personal growth.
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While this makes a meaningful gift, both parties need to choose the experience willingly. For the retreat to truly work, each person must come with their own commitment. We recommend discussing it together first.