5 Day Men's Summer Camp
Learn Bushcraft, Archery, Fire Skills And More at our
5-Day Men's Summer Camp in Devon
Unplug from modern life. Reconnect with nature. Join a brotherhood of like-minded men.
17 - 22 August 2025
Chawleigh, Devon, England, UK
🌲 Step into adventure! Learn bushcraft skills, shoot arrows under open skies, explore the wild by day, and head out on enchanted bat walks by night. 🔥
🔥 Included In The Week's Camp:
- Archery, bushcraft & spoon carving
- Wild walks, wood work skills & fire-making
- Woodland walks & Bat Walks at night
- Music, storytelling & men's circles
- Cooked meals over open fire
- Tribe-based small group bonding
- Kayaking and Paddle Boarding*
- Guided practices in self-awareness & nature connection
- Solo time
- Fully catered & supported
💰 Only £375 all-inclusive
(6 days, 5 nights)
*you can pay over 3 affordable instalments*
📅 17–22 August 2025
📍 Chawleigh, Devon
This is a 'not for profit' event
* Kayaks and paddle boards will not be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own or share with other participants at their discretion. The river beside the camp can be used, provided water levels are suitable at the time.
(6 days, 5 nights)
*you can pay over 3 affordable instalments*
📅 17–22 August 2025
📍 Chawleigh, Devon
This is a 'not for profit' event
* Kayaks and paddle boards will not be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own or share with other participants at their discretion. The river beside the camp can be used, provided water levels are suitable at the time.
🔥 Book Your Place – Let the Wild In 🪵
🔨 What You’ll Do
This summer camp is rooted in hands-on experience. Across five immersive days, you’ll:
Whether you're a total beginner or an outdoor regular, you'll be supported to try new things, get stuck in, and take part at your own pace.
This summer camp is rooted in hands-on experience. Across five immersive days, you’ll:
- Learn bushcraft skills like fire-lighting, and whittling
- Try your hand at archery, green woodworking, and spoon carving
- Join group walks and wild nature-based challenges
- Cook, eat, and share stories around the fire
- Sit in men’s circles and small tribe groups for reflection and connection
- Have time to jam round the fire at night, musicians welcome!
- Step away from the noise and into presence with nature — and with yourself
Whether you're a total beginner or an outdoor regular, you'll be supported to try new things, get stuck in, and take part at your own pace.
Only £375 for 5 nights, fully catered!
Which can be paid in full or over 3 affordable instalments
⚠️ Limited spaces available – book now! ✅
🪵🔥 What’s Included
* You will need to bring your own camping gear and sleeping equipment. Tools will be provided for all planned activities. You will need to bring your own personal protective clothing, suitable for you to participate in the activities.
- ✅ 5 nights camping in beautiful Devon woodland*
- ✅ 3 nourishing meals a day, evening meal is cooked over open fire
- ✅ Daily bushcraft and archery sessions
- ✅ Nature walks, fire skills, bat walks, and more
- ✅ Tribe-based small group support
- ✅ Evening music, story, and reflection around the fire
- ✅ All tools, materials, and activities provided*
* You will need to bring your own camping gear and sleeping equipment. Tools will be provided for all planned activities. You will need to bring your own personal protective clothing, suitable for you to participate in the activities.
🔥 Book Your Place Now! 👇
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Pictures from near by forest & Dartmoor, where some of our activities will take place
🤝 Why a Men’s Only Retreat?
Modern culture often leaves men disconnected — from each other, from nature, and even from themselves. Many of us are taught to keep going, keep quiet, and carry it all alone. This summer camp offers something different.
It’s a space where men can come together without pressure to performance - not think, just do!
And have chance to reconnect with nature.
A place to step away from daily demands and be in honest company with others who get it. Here, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. You just have to show up.
Around the fire, in the woods, learn new things together over shared meals and challenges, we remember what it means to belong — not because of what we do, but because of who we are.
This is a men-only retreat because there’s real value in gathering with other men. In finding our place in a brotherhood that’s supportive, practical, and real. In learning from each other and showing up without judgement.
No prior experience needed. Just a willingness to step into the wild — and see what you might find there.
Modern culture often leaves men disconnected — from each other, from nature, and even from themselves. Many of us are taught to keep going, keep quiet, and carry it all alone. This summer camp offers something different.
It’s a space where men can come together without pressure to performance - not think, just do!
And have chance to reconnect with nature.
A place to step away from daily demands and be in honest company with others who get it. Here, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to. You just have to show up.
Around the fire, in the woods, learn new things together over shared meals and challenges, we remember what it means to belong — not because of what we do, but because of who we are.
This is a men-only retreat because there’s real value in gathering with other men. In finding our place in a brotherhood that’s supportive, practical, and real. In learning from each other and showing up without judgement.
No prior experience needed. Just a willingness to step into the wild — and see what you might find there.
🕯️ The Daily Rhythm
Each day is gently structured to balance activity, reflection, and rest:
Each day is gently structured to balance activity, reflection, and rest:
- Morning – Begin with breakfast around the fire, some time to gather in the group, prepare to head out with a packed lunch late morning.
- Late Morning/Afternoon – Head into the woods for bushcraft, walks, archery, or creative craft sessions, whatever is planned that day. Followed by time by at the camp late afternoon, to chill and have some space if you would like. We will also have some shared activities available on camp for this time if you would prefer not to be alone.
- Evening – Gather for a cooked meal, music, sharing circle, and stories under the stars. Some nights we will also have extra activities like the Bat Walk.
Eating area on site
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Fire pit & BBQ
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Start & Finish of the Retreat:
Dates: 17–22 August 2025
Arrival: From 3 PM on Sunday 17th – set up camp.
Arrival: From 3 PM on Sunday 17th – set up camp.
- First evening - shared meal and opening circle around the fire
- Enjoy four full days of activities curated by Dan and the team. Activities including:
- Departure: Friday 22nd in the morning.
An Invitation from
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After years of working with men in nature-based settings, one thing stands out:
We were never meant to walk alone.
We’re living through a time of change, stress, and uncertainty — and too often, men are expected to carry it all without support. Many of us are searching for something more, even if we can’t name exactly what it is.
This retreat offers a chance to step out of the noise and into something real.
To reconnect with the land.
To gather with other men around the fire.
To share stories, challenges, skills — and simply be yourself, without judgement.
Grounded in the 8 Shields model and the spirit of mentorship and brotherhood, this week is about exploring:
This isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about showing up, being seen, and taking part in something bigger than you.
If you’re feeling tired, curious, unsettled, or just ready for something different — this is your invitation.
I’ll see you by the fire.
– Dan Best
Lead Facilitator – 8 Shields & Art of Mentoring
We were never meant to walk alone.
We’re living through a time of change, stress, and uncertainty — and too often, men are expected to carry it all without support. Many of us are searching for something more, even if we can’t name exactly what it is.
This retreat offers a chance to step out of the noise and into something real.
To reconnect with the land.
To gather with other men around the fire.
To share stories, challenges, skills — and simply be yourself, without judgement.
Grounded in the 8 Shields model and the spirit of mentorship and brotherhood, this week is about exploring:
- 🔹 How to build connection and community as men
- 🔹 What’s really alive in you right now
- 🔹 What it means to walk as a man in today’s world
- 🔹 How to move through change and uncertainty with a stronger inner compass
- 🔹 How craft, nature, and shared experience can wake up your sense of purpose
This isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about showing up, being seen, and taking part in something bigger than you.
If you’re feeling tired, curious, unsettled, or just ready for something different — this is your invitation.
I’ll see you by the fire.
– Dan Best
Lead Facilitator – 8 Shields & Art of Mentoring
How To Book & Costs
We are offering this retreat at a very affordable rate of just £375
for the 5 days, all-inclusive!
Cost & Booking
Deposit: £175 to secure your place
Remaining £200 in two instalments - 2 x £100 (1 July & 1 August)
Includes camping, activities, fully catered meals (three per day).
You can purchase extra snacks at a small shop on site or at a nearby farm shop.
for the 5 days, all-inclusive!
Cost & Booking
Deposit: £175 to secure your place
Remaining £200 in two instalments - 2 x £100 (1 July & 1 August)
Includes camping, activities, fully catered meals (three per day).
You can purchase extra snacks at a small shop on site or at a nearby farm shop.
Food & Drink
All meals prepared over BBQ or an open fire:
Breakfast: Toast, eggs, bacon, muesli, cereal, fruit & yoghurt
Lunch: Packed lunch
Dinner: Communal cooking around the fire, including BBQ's, Curry night, Stew, Chilli etc
We cater for omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and gluten‑free diets.
Additional dietary needs? You may be asked to bring supplementary items.
All meals prepared over BBQ or an open fire:
Breakfast: Toast, eggs, bacon, muesli, cereal, fruit & yoghurt
Lunch: Packed lunch
Dinner: Communal cooking around the fire, including BBQ's, Curry night, Stew, Chilli etc
We cater for omnivores, vegetarians, vegans and gluten‑free diets.
Additional dietary needs? You may be asked to bring supplementary items.
Meet Our Lead Facilitators
Dan Sylvan Best - Lead-Facilitator
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Dan is a Forest School practitioner with over 20 years’ experience, including work with the Dangerous Dads' Network. A facilitator with the 8 Shields and Art of Mentoring movement, who loves being in circle. Dan leads bat walks, archery, greenwood work, and nature connection games, creating playful and meaningful experiences outdoors.
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Danny Dyson - Co/Lead-Facilitator
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Danny is a bushcraft facilitator and the camp chef for the retreat. Growing up learning the ways of the wild, he honed skills in hunting, survival, and traditional crafts, which he’ll be sharing with participants during the retreat. As the retreat’s chef, Danny will oversee all catering, preparing and serving delicious meals for the camp to enjoy, ensuring everyone is fuelled for their outdoor adventures.
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Practice Location:
57 Torquay Road Paignton TQ3 3DT Tel: 07874 068870 |
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