Renewal is the antidote to boredom, complacency, monotony, and uncertainty. Renewal is also the crucial first step in preparing for change and the future. Sometimes men need a little break to re-focus and refresh, perhaps more now than ever. Summit Adventure offers a 6-day opportunity to do just that. True to Summit’s nearly 50-year history, our Men’s Life Renewal Adventure plugs in spiritual, physical, and emotional challenges that get men thinking, praying, and sharing in deep and powerful ways.
Rock climbing, rappelling, a significant peak ascent, outdoor cooking and cross-country navigation across some of earth’s most spectacular terrain are reflected upon. Our hope is that these learnings would transfer back home, where change and growth matter the most.
Perhaps we don’t or can’t admit it, but men need the friendship, companionship and camaraderie of other men. Finding common ground, challenging one another’s lifestyles and beliefs, laughing amidst difficult circumstances, and encouraging each other in the faith make lasting and powerful memories and friendships. The Men’s Life Renewal Adventure offers both formal and informal opportunities to go beyond superficial conversation to make meaning of the adventure and its transfer back to home and work. We welcome men ages 18+ to join us both on the 6-day adventure and for the extended renewal program, as we aim to learn and grow together.
The Men’s Life Renewal Adventure is also the kick-off for an optional 2-year renewal program that brackets monthly community meetings with annual trips to South America and the Holy Land. The notion of a longer-term commitment to Renewal will be discussed during this first Men’s Life Renewal experience.
Renewal is crucial to ensure the following years are vibrant, life-giving, and filled with purposes that closely follow Jesus Christ. This process and that is exactly what the Men’s Life Renewal Adventure aims to foster. If you are interested in this course please email Tom Smith at Toma@summitadventure.com
Check out this video to learn more about the Men’s Life Renewal Adventure hosted by the leaders of the course, Tom Smith PhD. and Bryan Feller.
Course Elements
- Backpacking
- Rock climbing & rappelling
- Peak climbing
- Cross country travel
- Solitude & contemplation
- Peer discussion
Photos
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Summit Adventure’s basecamp, pack-up, depart for the trailhead, hike to campsite. After dinner is a facilitated discussion on goals and purposes of renewal, life stories, etc.
Days 2-4
Spend a day rock climbing in the Backcountry, backpack to lakefront campsites that require 3-5 miles per day. Lakes could include Cora, Lady, Burro, and Rutherford. Each day begins with a devotional reflection time. Depending upon schedule and conditions, we will also attempt to climb Madera Peak and complete a 12-24 hour solo.
Day 5
Morning devotional and hike to our final camp for a night of celebration and re-commitment.
Day 6
Hike out, de-issue, leave after lunch.
Getting Prepared for the Men’s Life Renewal Adventure
Contemplation, reflection, and prayer are crucial to renewal and spiritual growth. Our seven days in the wilderness will be greatly enhanced by preparation before we get to the trail. There are two excellent resources to help us do this.
- Surrender to Love by David Benner
- Love: A Guide for Prayer by Jacqueline Syrup Bergan and S. Marie Scwann
Begin with Benner and make sure to read thoughtfully and reflectively. As you work through Surrender to Love, begin to add Love: A Guide for Prayer, based upon the 16th century spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. You will enter into the very rich history of spiritual growth and renewal that many have found with this approach.
Once on the trail, we will focus heavily on the prayer guide. The exercises, prayers, and reflections lend themselves perfectly to a pristine, quiet, and staggeringly beautiful environment far removed from our everyday busy lives. Benner’s book provides the framework, Bergan and Schwann the approach to encountering God in perhaps a fresh new way. Plan on showing up for the course with Benner fully read and the prayer guide at least a little tested.