Near the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland · November 6-8, 2026
Nobody warns dads ahead of time. You can be trying your best at balancing work, parenting, and being a good partner—yet still feel like you’re coming up short, while never getting to truly power down and recover.
Snapping over small things. Going numb in the evenings. Showing up physically while checking out emotionally. Not because you want to, but because your nervous system is stuck in “handle it” mode.
This weekend is a chance to take your “dad hat” off. To recover parts of yourself that you’ve had to hide since becoming a parent. To connect with other dads about shared experiences. To get closer to being the dad and partner you really want to be.
Led by therapists
Kyle Wehrend, LICSW, LCSW-C is a licensed social worker who is Level 2-trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. He leads men’s groups and retreats, and is co-author of An IFS Reparenting Workbook: Internal Family Systems Skills to Heal Childhood Trauma, Nurture Secure Attachments, and Embrace Radical Self-Acceptance.
Jeremy Mohler, LCPC is a licensed counselor who is Level 1-trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. He leads men’s groups and retreats, and writes the Make Men Emotional Again newsletter.
What this retreat is:
Off the Clock is a two-night, three-day retreat for dads, led by licensed therapists and designed to help you step out of survival mode and reconnect—with yourself, and with the people who need the version of you that isn’t running on fumes.
What’s included:
Intention setting exercises to get clear about what you want from the retreat
Opportunities for an individual 90-minute healing circle session
Facilitator-led men’s group processing sessions
2 nights lodging (with a more affordable option to stay off-site)
Communal meals, with all food provided
Time for silent reflection/relaxation and access to indoor spaces, walking trails, and forest
You will also receive:
- Guided mindfulness meditation practices
- Optional individualized support from Kyle and Jeremy throughout retreat
- Connection with other dads
- Opportunity to stay connected with other dads after retreat
“I have been on one of their retreats and can testify to how life changing this approach can be. Kyle and Jeremy are excellent practitioners and a great team.”
Anthony
Tentative Schedule
Friday November 6
- 8-10am Arrive and check-in
- 10-11am Tour of Harmony Hills/men’s group work begins
- 11-12pm Men’s group practices
- 1-3 Lunch/free time
- 3-5pm Men’s group practices
- 5-6pm Break
- 6pm Dinner
- 7pm Free time/fire pit/games
Saturday November 7
- 9-10am Breakfast
- 10-12pm Men’s group practices
- 12-2pm Lunch/free time
- 2-4pm Men’s group practices
- 4-6pm Break
- 6pm Dinner
- 7pm Free time/fire pit/games
Sunday November 8
- 9-10am Breakfast
- 10-12pm Men’s group practices
- 12-1:30pm Lunch/free time
- 1:30-3pm Closing
- 3pm Pack up and leave
Harmony Hills Retreat Center
Harmony Hills Retreat Center sits on 20 acres of forest in Deale, Maryland, and features a barn-house, yurt, walking trails, and meditation spaces only minutes from the Chesapeake Bay and less than an hour from Washington, DC, and Annapolis, Maryland.
Who is this retreat for?
- Overwhelmed dads who need to pause and take care of themselves to be able to care for others
- Dads looking for more connection with other dads
- Dads looking to explore how “traditional” aspects of masculinity hold us back from being the partner, parent, friend, and human we really want to be
- Dads of kids of any age
This retreat is open to all men, including cis, trans, and others who feel a sense of belonging in men’s spaces. We strongly encourage men of diverse backgrounds, identities, and sexual orientations to explore joining.
Cost
Shared room – twin bed – $1,500 total (includes retreat programming, lodging, and food)
Room by yourself – queen bed – $1,750 total (includes retreat programming, lodging, and food)
Shared loft – twin bed – $1,250 total (includes retreat programming, lodging, and food)
Stay offsite at your own Airbnb or commute each day – $1000 total (includes retreat programming and food)
FAQ
Do I need to be “in crisis” to come? No. Dads often feel like they have to stay calm, cool, and collected, and put on the image that everything is okay. This will be an opportunity to take off the mask and be yourself for a change.
Is there an age limit to my kids? No. Dads of kids of any age are welcome.
How inclusive is this retreat for queer and trans dads? We acknowledge that both of us are cis, straight men, and that this retreat isn’t designed solely for queer and/or trans men. We’ve worked with many men of different gender expressions and sexualities in our prior retreats and ongoing men’s groups, and we take seriously the need for the space to be as inclusive as our lived experiences can make it. We’re prepared to help attendees navigate differences during the retreat and what feelings those differences bring up toward other men on the retreat and ourselves. We also understand that some men won’t feel safe enough to attend because of a lack of representation in the retreat leaders.
Will I have to share my story in front of everyone? You’ll never be required to. Everything is invitation with no obligation. But if you do want to share your story and feel supported, there will be plenty of opportunity.
What if I’ve never done anything like this before? Most dads, like most men, haven’t. You don’t need experience with therapy or retreats, just a willingness to show up.
Can I come alone? Yes. Most dads do, and it’s often where the most authentic connections happen.
Where exactly is it? We’ll be at Harmony Hills Retreat Center, 186 Nutwell Rd, Deale, MD 20751. It’s 45 minutes from downtown DC, Ronald Reagan airport, and BWI airport.
Questions?
Email Jeremy: jeremy@jeremymohler.bog