You announce the men’s retreat, put the sign-up sheet out, and wait. A week later, only a handful of names are on it.
Sound familiar?
Getting men to commit to a weekend away isn’t always easy. Between work, family responsibilities, and everything else competing for their time, even men who would enjoy a retreat might hesitate to sign up.
That’s why the way you plan the weekend matters.
A great men’s retreat offers more than scheduled sessions and group discussions. It gives men something to look forward to, whether that’s a fishing trip, a round of golf, or sharing a good meal with friends.
And while those activities might be what initially gets someone interested, they also create opportunities for meaningful conversations and stronger relationships.
At Gulf Shores Beach Retreat, we love helping groups plan weekends that bring those things together.
How One Group Planned a Retreat for 40 Men
One men’s group that stayed at Gulf Shores Beach Retreat planned a weekend that balanced outdoor adventures, good food, and meaningful time together. With 40 men attending, their itinerary included golf, deep sea fishing, a shrimp boil, and breakout sessions.
It’s a great example of how a retreat can combine activities men enjoy with opportunities to spend meaningful time together.
Think about what a weekend like that offers.
Some men might be excited about getting out on the golf course. Others would rather spend the morning fishing in the Gulf. And for some, the best part might simply be sitting down to dinner with friends they don’t see often enough.
“A few hours on a fishing boat or golf course gives men time to talk without the pressure of a formal discussion. By the time everyone gathers for an evening session, they’ve already spent time together and gotten more comfortable with one another.”
A few hours on a fishing boat or golf course gives men time to talk without the pressure of a formal discussion. By the time everyone gathers for an evening session, they’ve already spent time together and gotten more comfortable with one another.
That’s one of the advantages of building a retreat around shared experiences instead of filling every hour with scheduled programming.
Give Men a Reason to Look Forward to the Weekend
When you’re inviting men to a retreat, think about what will make them want to put it on their calendars.
The purpose of the retreat matters, whether that’s strengthening friendships, encouraging spiritual growth, or simply giving men time away from their everyday responsibilities.
But the activities can be what gets someone interested in the first place.
Instead of leading your invitation with a schedule of breakout sessions, tell the men about the fishing trip, the golf outing, or the shrimp boil you’re planning.
Make it easy for them to picture the weekend.
“A man who isn’t particularly excited about attending several group sessions might feel differently about a weekend that includes fishing with friends, good food, and time at the beach.”
A man who isn’t particularly excited about attending several group sessions might feel differently about a weekend that includes fishing with friends, good food, and time at the beach.
That doesn’t make the sessions less important. It simply gives men more reasons to attend.
A practical tip: Share the full weekend schedule before asking for a commitment. Include activity costs, session times, and a clear registration deadline. If you’re planning golf or fishing, you’ll need an accurate headcount to reserve tee times and charter boats.
Plan Activities That Bring Men Together
Golf and Deep Sea Fishing
Golf and fishing are great options for a Saturday morning or afternoon.
Golf courses usually book tee times for up to four players, so split your group into foursomes. A group of 24 men, for example, would need six tee times. Reserving tee times in advance helps keep everyone on schedule.
For deep sea fishing, local charter companies can help determine how many boats you’ll need based on your group size.
Both activities give smaller groups several hours together, making them especially valuable when your retreat includes men who don’t know one another particularly well.
Your group can arrange these outings directly with local golf courses and fishing charters.
Bring Everyone Together for a Shrimp Boil
After a day of activities, there’s something especially enjoyable about gathering everyone for a big meal.
A shrimp boil is a natural fit for a Gulf Coast retreat. It’s casual, works well for large groups, and gives everyone a chance to catch up on the day’s adventures.
“Each side of Gulf Shores Beach Retreat has a fully equipped commercial kitchen and two charcoal grills, giving your cooking crew space to prepare meals.”
Each side of Gulf Shores Beach Retreat has a fully equipped commercial kitchen and two charcoal grills, giving your cooking crew space to prepare meals.
You can even involve the men in cooking, setting tables, and cleaning up. Sometimes, preparing and sharing a meal together creates just as many opportunities for conversation as a planned activity.
Add Some Friendly Competition
A little competition can bring plenty of energy to the afternoon.
Your group has access to a private pool and sand volleyball court, so you can organize a volleyball tournament or water volleyball game.
Divide everyone into teams, create a simple bracket, and offer a small prize to the winners. First place in the dinner line might be all the motivation they need!
For something different, Sandcastle University, a local company, offers group sand-sculpting lessons on the beach. You can arrange those directly with them.
And for men who prefer something less active, bring along cornhole boards, giant Jenga, or other yard games.
Don’t Overschedule the Weekend
It’s tempting to fill every hour, especially when you’ve worked hard to get everyone together.
But after a busy week, some men may appreciate an hour by the pool, a walk on the beach, or simply sitting outside talking with a friend.
Leave room for those moments.
You can also end the evening with s’mores around the charcoal grills or let everyone hang out on the pool deck after dinner.
Not every meaningful conversation needs to happen during a scheduled session.
Make the Breakout Sessions Worth Attending
Activities may get men excited about the retreat, but group sessions are an opportunity to give the weekend a deeper purpose.
Think about the men attending. What are they dealing with in their everyday lives? What conversations would be valuable?
For a church men’s group, that might mean discussing faith, marriage, fatherhood, friendships, or balancing work and family.
Rather than covering too many topics, choose one or two themes that connect to your retreat’s purpose.
You could begin with a larger group session and then divide into smaller groups where everyone has more opportunities to participate.
Some men are comfortable speaking in front of a room. Others are more likely to open up when they’re sitting with five or six people they know.
Another idea is to invite one or two older men to share their experiences during a Saturday evening session. Hearing someone speak openly about challenges they’ve faced or lessons they’ve learned can encourage others to reflect on their own lives.
You don’t necessarily need a professional speaker or an elaborate presentation.
Sometimes, a thoughtful conversation led by someone the group knows and respects can be more meaningful.
Our 1,600-square-foot upstairs meeting room provides space for these gatherings. Both sides of the retreat share the room, and it’s reserved for your group during your booked times.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, arrange chairs in a circle or take a smaller discussion outside to the pool deck.
What Could Your Weekend Look Like?
You don’t have to choose between a fun weekend and a meaningful one. With a little planning, you can make room for both.
Here’s one possible schedule:
Friday Evening: Arrive, settle into the property, and enjoy dinner together. Hold a short welcome session to introduce the weekend’s theme and schedule.
Saturday Morning: Head out for golf or deep sea fishing. Give everyone time to enjoy their activities without rushing.
Saturday Afternoon: Return to the retreat for lunch, volleyball, swimming, or some downtime. Gather for a breakout session later in the afternoon.
Saturday Evening: Prepare a shrimp boil, enjoy dinner together, and finish the evening with a group conversation or personal stories.
Sunday Morning: Share breakfast and a final session before everyone heads home.
The right schedule will depend on your group’s interests and goals. The important thing is to leave enough time for both activities and conversations without making the weekend feel rushed.
Keep the Logistics Simple
Planning a retreat for 20, 40, or even 80 men involves plenty of moving parts.
You need enough beds, space for meals, somewhere to gather, and activities that work for a larger group.
At Gulf Shores Beach Retreat, each side of the property accommodates up to 80 guests, and your group has its side to itself.
Each side includes four bunk rooms, two leader rooms with queen beds and private bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, two charcoal grills, a private pool, a sand volleyball court, and a basketball goal.
There’s also parking for buses, vans, and cars, making it easy to organize carpools or bring everyone together on a church bus.
“Having accommodations, meals, and recreational spaces in one location means less time coordinating logistics and more time enjoying the weekend.”
Having accommodations, meals, and recreational spaces in one location means less time coordinating logistics and more time enjoying the weekend.
Let’s Plan a Weekend Your Men Will Look Forward To
For many men, everyday life doesn’t leave much room for long conversations with friends, building new relationships, or stepping away from responsibilities.
A retreat creates that opportunity.
The golf outing, fishing trip, and shrimp boil give everyone something to look forward to. The shared experiences and thoughtful conversations give the weekend a purpose beyond simply getting away.
Whether you’re bringing 20 men or organizing a larger group, we’d love to help you plan a weekend at Gulf Shores Beach Retreat.
Send us your preferred dates and approximately how many men you’re expecting, and we’ll let you know which weekends are available.
