Welcome,
We are happy to announce our first back-packing adventure therapy overnight. I wanted to bring my love for backpacking and nature therapy together to offer fathers' and sons' a way to get back out into nature without having to break the bank or travel too far from home.
- Being a modern man often means that we unfortunately we get disconnected from nature often. This overnight centers around getting back into nature and connecting with other men through a little adventure.
- This overnight provides a safe and supportive environment that encourages men to drop in as they explore their feelings, relational themes, and thoughts without judgment while being supported and restored by the land.
- We will be headed to beautiful Pinckney State Recreation (just outside of Ann Arbor) area as we meet to hike 4 miles into rustic campsites that will be our base camp for the night.
- While it is a back-packing trip, it a super approachable and low-key hike, making it a great way to explore back-packing for the first time or if you're seasoned on the trail, a way to have a fun trip with like-minded dudes. With the option to rent gear, we wanted to make this trip accessible to all men.
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The Route
We will meet at our rally point just outside of the Pinckney Recreation Area. This area is special as it connects multiple recreation areas along with beautiful lakes and winding trails. From there, we will make the 4-mile hike into our rustic campsites for the night.
Who's this for?
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If you have been feeling disconnected, tired, and distant from nature in your life and need a little shake-up. Maybe you've been interested in back-packing but haven't had a group to try it with.
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Finding that stress now occupies a large part of of your life with no clear path forward.
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Feeling disengaged and/or isolated from other men and wanting to work on the relationship with your own dad/son.
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Feeling like it's time for a break from the hustle and grind and to reconnect with nature
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If this resonates with you, keeping scrolling and see how we can help!
What's Included:
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Three nature-based therapy sessions aimed at working on the relationship with nature and how it can help you improve overall mental health.
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Guiding by Mike the whole weekend so you can relax and enjoy time out in nature.
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Nightly councils, partner and group work with other supportive men
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All fire-side meals and coffee
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Secluded rustic camping spots along Blind Lake
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Vault toilet onsite as well as well water on-site
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Evening bonfire circle
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Opportunities for solo reflection time
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Ā Retreat memento to remember the weekend
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*Trip starts Saturday 9/28 at 10a. Trip concludes Sunday 9/29 at 2p.
Meet your Guide
Michael Lamerato MS, LLP, LPC
Mike is a therapist and Michigan native who has specialized in helping men for the last ten years. Being an avid outdoorsman with Fly-Fishing, camping, and hiking, he decided several years ago that it was time to bring therapy into the wild where men can find deeper connection. Since then, he's worked at offering men different ways to re-connect with natureĀ and the retreat has been one of his favorite ways to accomplish this.
