Orchard Men’s Retreat for 2026 is built for the guy that has never attended a men’s retreat!
Maybe you’ve attended the Orchard a few times and met a few guys but likely you’d be hard pressed to remember names or any particulars. Likewise, if you’ve attended every men’s event at the Orchard for years, you already know that the retreat is not an event to miss. One of the greatest experience elements of the retreat is creating time, space and activities where guys get a chance to connect with other men.
While the weekend event is loaded with fun event options including team paintball, pick up pickle ball, mini golf, ping pong and other options (along with simply chilling and drinking coffee!), the retreat sessions will feature enriching corporate worship and challenge a man’s soul, creating opportunities to “look under the hood” and figure out how does one’s faith, on a practical basis, connect with day-to-day living.
This year’s theme is ENGAGE! "Putting Wheels on Faith", with speaker, Luke Miller, a pastor with neighboring One Church. Luke is a disciple of Jesus. He's been serving in various ministries roles since 2008 but most recently serves as an Outpost Pastor for One Church mainly pastoring the Lakes Region Outpost. He and his wife live in rural NH and enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and spending time on the lake with their daughter.
The sessions will lean into proactively engaging life, integrating faith with work, family and personal development. Leading the service and events schedule throughout the weekend will be our own Kevin Kyle, Assistant Pastor at The Orchard. Kevin will be joined by Jackson Scouric as our worship leaders for the retreat.
We will be staying at Camp Monadnock. If you’ve never been there, the place is beautifully situated on a lot of acreage. Introduced at last year’s retreat, Camp Monadnock offers a cool “ring of tent sites” and RV/Camper sites. Whether you grab a 2-man tent and an air mattress for yourself or a larger tent for you and your friends, the tenting experience is pure fun all weekend. Camp fires are a regular thing and the camaraderie developed during “hang time” brings in the recognizable “face” of a guy seen across the sanctuary, to a real connection exploring backgrounds and common interests. Shower and bath facilities are nearby. Bring your lawn chair for that early morning coffee!
While tenting and RV/camper stays will remain a popular choice, many guys prefer the easy set up of the dorm configuration where guys will bunk out in comfortable rooms with full showers. Coffee is always downstairs as well as numerous choices for ping pong, pool and other games.
Interest Seminars – NEW FOR 2026!
This year’s retreat will feature a 90 minute slot just before Saturday Dinner where you can choose from one of three interest themes....
Mentoring – The benefits and process.
Perhaps the highest interest area surveyed earlier this year, Ken Glasier will take the lead looking at mentoring opportunity. This fast moving seminar will look at both the benefits to “mentee” as well as the process and characteristics of a fruitful mentor relationship. What does a “mentor” look like? How does one connect? If you’re finding yourself as a mentor, how do you cultivate a productive relationship with your mentee? Mentoring across multiple areas of life…work, family, relationships and spiritual development.
Outdoor Adventures – Getting Started and Getting Going in the Great Outdoors!
Another high interest surveyed earlier this year centered on developing skills and know-how to venture out into God’s creation. Marty Calawa and Tim Wege will look at getting going with back country canoeing, car camping and hiking. While the topic will introduce some of the basic nuts and bolts of getting going, additional resources will be outlined to give participants follow up capability. Tucked into the broad them of the outdoors, additional related areas may consider snow shoeing, cross country skiing and biking.
Fishing – Getting hooked and Telling Stories!
George Franklin will be taking the lead here as one of the Orchard’s avid fisherman, who reportedly actually catches fish! Among the feature areas, George will introduce the basics of fly fishing and fly casting. Bait casting, gear, time of the day and techniques will also be covered. As time permits, ice fishing may be another unique twist to the fishing seminar.
Activities
Is a Mount Monadnock hike in your future? Marty Calawa will be leading a group starting out just after the Saturday morning session, packed with lunch. (Bring your own water bottles and good hiking shoes).
Josh Delegado will be organizing a team event for those that may have always wanted to fire paint balls at good friends. Other activity options during the early afternoon on Saturday will mini-golf, axe throwing and pick up pickle ball as well as the indoor sports of ping pong and pool (and a swimming pool).
For the golfers, new this year, bring your drivers and chippers as there will be a fun closest to the pin and chipping expo right after lunch. We’ll have an Orchard Golf Pro leading this activity!
Of course, this is your weekend, if you want to chill and think big thoughts with a buddy (or not); maybe take a nap…. It’s all up to you.
Friday Night Steak – Don’t Miss the Start!
New to 2026, Greg Papia and his merry men will be putting on a steak and potato cook out in the pavilion right in the middle of the tent and RV campgrounds. Dinner begins at 6:30 with campfire events following including opening words from our session speaker.
Cost includes all meals and activities:
Tent Registration - $125/person
RV/Camper Registration - $175/person
Dorm Registration - $200/person
$50 deposit due upon registration. As always, if cost is a concern, do not let that keep you away. Scholarships are available.