Men’s Initiation Retreat with Shadow Work in Mendocino, Northern California
Crossing the Threshold Together
Every man reaches a moment when comfort no longer satisfies — when something older, truer, and unnamed stirs inside. That moment is initiation.
This men’s initiation retreat at Spirit Camp in Mendocino, Northern California, led by facilitator Travis Streb, is a modern rite of passage: a five-day immersion January 15–19, 2026, designed for men ready to live from depth, truth, and purpose.
Whether you’re a father, partner, or leader in your late 30s or beyond, this retreat marks the opening chapter of the Not Done Yet 2025/26 cohort — or, for select participants, a stand-alone experience within a brotherhood devoted to accountability and awakening.
Learn more and apply through the retreat page, or explore all offerings on the Spirit Camp calendar.
Over four nights, you’ll move through breathwork, shadow inquiry, and embodied ritual — a modern initiation framed not by ceremony alone, but by courage, community, and daily integration.
Shadow Work in Context
Shadow work, in this shadow work retreat for men, isn’t an abstract idea. It’s the practice of seeing — and integrating — the disowned parts of self: anger, fear, tenderness, longing, even the drive for control. When ignored, these parts rule from the dark. When brought into light, they become power.
In this immersion, shadow work unfolds within a multi-modality framework: breath and movement to open the body, dialogue and reflection to clarify the mind, and relational practice to test new ways of being in real time. It’s not about fixing what’s broken; it’s about claiming what’s been exiled.
Travis and his team guide participants through safe, contained processes that blend psychological insight with embodied wisdom. You might face an inner critic one moment and be laughing with a brother the next. The result: emotional range, grounded vitality, and renewed capacity for love and purpose.
This is not a single-technique event or “therapy weekend.” It’s a holistic initiation retreat in California where men reclaim the fullness of their humanity.
Photo of Deer Haven, one of the our many unique cabin spaces. This cabin has three beds. Cabins have between 1 to 8 beds each and provide several different sleeping arrangements for men’s initiation retreat. All cabin spaces are included in embodied men’s work California.
Photo of Group Glamping Tents Setup in Sunset Meadow. We have 10 Glamping Structures that can be added with 1to 3 beds each. This can increase bed capacity of campus to 50 guests across 20 unique accommodation spaces.
Guide — Travis Streb
For over a decade, Travis Streb has walked beside men crossing thresholds. His leadership training, coaching background, and work with John Wineland in Embodied Men’s Leadership have honed a facilitation style that is direct, heartfelt, and precise.
Travis is known for holding devotional spaces where truth replaces performance and depth replaces bravado. His approach draws from archetypal frameworks, somatic awareness, and authentic relating — always with humor, humility, and reverence.
At this retreat, Travis guides a small cohort (no more than 18 men) through the journey of initiation: from shedding outdated stories to embodying a new orientation toward purpose. Accountability is non-negotiable; compassion is constant.
“Real initiation,” Travis says, “isn’t about becoming more. It’s about becoming real.”
The Fabric of Spirit Camp
Nestled among redwoods and coastal mist, Spirit Camp is a redwood sanctuary designed for transformation. This spirit camp initiation retreat unfolds across luminous, hand-crafted spaces:
The Sanctuary, with its copper roof and skylit meditation dome, holds morning silence and breathwork.
The Redwood Lodge, heart of the campus, hosts circles, meals, and firelit teachings.
Magic Meadow, when weather allows, invites outdoor reflection among ferns and fog.
January is intimate here — a season of woodsmoke, candlelight, and deep work. Lodging is warm and welcoming: private cabins, shared rooms, or the classic bunkhouse. All indoor, all cozy. Meals are plant-forward, locally sourced, and infused with care — nourishment that sustains the body through profound emotional work.
Spirit Camp is more than a backdrop; it’s a co-facilitator. Its redwoods seem to listen. Its silence amplifies truth. Visit the Spirit Camp homepage to explore this rare retreat environment.
Location: Mendocino, California — North of the Bay Area
Set in Mendocino County, Northern California, Spirit Camp is a men’s immersion north of the bay area surrounded by ancient redwoods and ocean air. It’s roughly three hours north of San Francisco, two hours from Sonoma County and Marin, and just 10–12 minutes from the town of Mendocino itself.
This accessibility makes it ideal for travelers seeking authentic depth without international flights. The land bridges forest and sea — grounding and vastness in one view.
For more retreats in this setting, explore the Spirit Camp Retreat Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application or interview process?
Yes. Applicants complete a short form and may be invited to an interview with Travis to ensure mutual fit and readiness for this men’s rites of passage retreat mendocino county.Can I attend without joining the full cohort?
Possibly. While this retreat launches the 2025/26 program year, select participants may attend as a stand-alone experience if space allows.What about dietary needs?
All meals are vegetarian/vegan-friendly with gluten-free and allergy accommodations available upon request. Communal dining fosters connection and reflection.
Nearby Adventures
Jug Handle Ecological Staircase
A geological wonder just south of Fort Bragg, this trail reveals five terraces of ancient coastline uplifted over millennia. Hiking the Jug Handle Ecological Staircase mirrors the inner work of initiation — each level rising into new perspective.
Navarro River Redwoods State Park
A breathtaking drive beneath redwood canopy where light filters like gold through mist. The Navarro River corridor offers spots for quiet reflection, photography, and post-retreat grounding.
Why Initiation Matters Now
In a world of endless information and few true rites, initiation restores something sacred. It offers structure where modern life offers distraction. It reminds men that growth requires both humility and courage.
This redwood men’s initiation calls to those in their late 30s and beyond who sense that success and security aren’t the whole story. It’s for the man who feels the quiet ache for authenticity — the one who knows there’s more to give, and more to become.
Shadow work, embodiment, and brotherhood weave together here as modern ritual — a way to walk through fear and emerge as a clearer instrument of love and purpose.
Step Through the Doorway
If you feel it — that whisper in the ribs that says it’s time — then this retreat is your doorway. Step into the work. Step into your life.
Apply for the Not Done Yet immersion, or view all upcoming programs on the Spirit Camp calendar.
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