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For mothers and sons aged 11–18 | Mandurah WA

He's pulling away. And the more you reach for him, the further he goes.

You haven't lost him. But something between you is changing ... fast ... and nobody gave you a map for this stage.

The Emerging Men Mother-Son Retreat is three days in nature that gives you both something rare: a way back to each other - before adolescence takes him somewhere you can't follow. Held by skilled male mentors and experienced facilitators, this isn't a parenting workshop. It's a shared experience that changes the relationship from the inside out.

UPCOMING DATES

5-7 June 2026 (1 spot left)

Mandurah WA

7-9 October 2026 (Waitlist)

Mandurah, WA

100% of retreat participants rated their experience "Amazing". No commitment required on the call.

You're both struggling, and neither of you knows the other side

Right now, in your house, there are two people going through one of the biggest transitions of their lives — at the exact same time. He doesn't have words for what's happening to him. You don't have a map for who he's becoming.

And without a bridge between you, both of you are navigating it alone.

He's living this...

He doesn't know who he is yet — and that's terrifying. His friends, his body, his emotions are all changing at once.

He pushes back against you because you're safe enough to push back against. What looks like rejection is actually trust.

He's desperate for male mentors to tell him what it means to grow up — but modern life doesn't give him those moments.

He wants your approval more than anything — he just can't say it anymore.

You're living this...

You feel like you're watching him through glass. You can see he's struggling but he won't let you in.

Every argument leaves you wondering if you handled it right. You're exhausted from trying to get it exactly right.

You're watching the world tell him who to be — and you're afraid of who it's making him.

You want your relationship with him to survive adolescence — but nobody showed you how to make sure it does.

LIVE A LIFE BY DESIGN

What you and your son will experience

Set in a stunning natural environment, this three-day adventure invites you to step away from routine and share real, unforgettable moments together.

🔥 Fire & storytelling

Gather around the flames for fire-making, bush cooking, and sharing damper and kangaroo stew under the stars.​

🌾 Bushcraft & survival skills

Learn outdoor skills side by side - from fire-lighting and spear making to archery and navigating the bush.


💪 Team challenges

Work together on playful challenges that build trust, communication, and courage.


🎭 Play & improv

Let go of perfection and rediscover joy through creative, laughter-filled games that reconnect you both.


🧘‍♀️ Embodied connection

Breathwork, play, qi gong, comedy improvisation, ball sports - actions that awaken and surprise.

🌳 Rewilding adventures

Explore the land, craft with your hands, and remember what it feels like to belong in nature.


💬 Sharing & learning

Gentle guided conversations about growing up, identity, and the bond between mother and son.

💗 Rite of passage

Rituals and intentional moments to mark your son’s step toward confident young manhood - and your evolution as his mother.

The Gather Project Group Picture Taking

What’s Included

In a beautiful natural setting, you’ll spend 3 days immersed in meaningful, memory-making experiences:

  • Games that deepen trust and spark joy

  • Bush adventures that build confidence, teamwork, and wonder

  • Rituals of passage that honour this threshold stage of boyhood

  • Hands-on creative sessions for storytelling, symbolism, and shared pride

  • Separate mothers’ and boys’ spaces, each held with warmth and intention

  • Peaceful moments and wildly fun moments, because both are sacred

You don’t need to be outdoorsy. You don’t need to be spiritual. You just need to show up, as you are, and say yes to connection.

This is for you if…

  • You work hard and love hard, but sometimes feel stretched thin and emotionally distant.

  • You want to raise a son who’s emotionally intelligent, grounded, and kind, but don’t always know how.

  • You’re watching your boy change, and you want to honour that shift instead of letting it pass by.

  • You’ve done personal growth work, and you’re ready to apply it to your parenting in a soulful, embodied way.

  • You’re craving quality time without screens, pressure, or distraction.

This isn’t a parenting workshop or a lecture. It’s a shared experience...crafted to help you both come home to yourselves and each other.

What You’ll Take Home

  • A stronger, more open bond with your son - beyond the “fine” and one-word answers.

  • Tools for calmer communication (and fewer arguments) as he grows more independent.

  • Experiences that spark inner change - making the everyday challenges of screens, school, and routines feel lighter

  • A shared adventure that builds confidence, courage, and real memories you’ll both treasure.

  • A reset for your own nervous system - less reactivity, more calm confidence in the hard moments.

  • A deep sense of knowing: I showed up for this - and it mattered.

The cuddles come less often

The conversations are shorter. You catch glimpses of the man he’s becoming ... and sometimes, it takes your breath away.

But between work deadlines, school runs, and the endless to-do list, the connection you both crave can quietly slip through the cracks.

This retreat is your circuit-breaker.

A weekend carved out of the rush… to come home to each other.

You’re not here to “fix” your son

You’re here to meet him again…in the space between childhood and adolescence. To see him with fresh eyes. To be seen, not just as Mum, the organiser, the driver, or the disciplinarian, but as his safe place. His steady base. His home.

This retreat is designed for mothers and their sons aged 10-18, offering a rare opportunity: a deeply nurturing, yet lightly structured space where connection, courage, and presence can flourish.

The Emerging Men Mother-Son Retreat is a three-day adventure in nature to hit pause on busy life and spend real, quality time together – no phones, no pressure, just adventure, stories, and fun. It’s a space to reconnect, understand each other more deeply, and strengthen the bond that will carry you both into the next chapter.

PICTURE GALLERY

Play, firelight, nature, and connection… everything childhood is meant to be

Because you can’t pour from an empty cup… and yours deserves a refill.

HELLO FROM US

Meet your hosts

Jo O'Dell

Jo is a father, men’s work facilitator, and space-holder devoted to reconnecting men and families with the sacred roots of life. As the founder of The Warrior’s Heart and Father-Hood, Jo creates transformational spaces for men and boys to reclaim emotional expression, grounded presence, and heart-led strength.

Having worked with hundreds of men across Australia, Jo brings a deeply embodied approach to rites of passage, combining somatic release, cultural reverence, and sacred play. He has trained in ceremony, trauma-informed practice, and firekeeping, and was adopted into a Yolŋu family during his own spiritual pilgrimage — an experience that deepened his connection to land, lineage, and fatherhood.

Daniela Englmayr

A mum of four (including three teen!), Daniela brings warmth, depth, and grounded joy to every retreat.

Over the past decade, she has guided dozens of families and hosted close to a dozen retreats, helping parents and young people reconnect in ways that last long after the weekend ends.

Daniela is a trauma-informed counsellor, somatic coach and lifelong adventurer. Her work blends movement, storytelling, and psychology to create experiences where genuine connection and transformation happen naturally. Beyond her retreat work, Daniela has mentored dozens of women and men in both corporate and community settings, supporting them to find balance, purpose, and self-trust. She has worked alongside women and children in crisis, including refugees, survivors of family and domestic violence, and as a counsellor for teenagers struggling within mainstream schooling.

Drawing from her own journey - from stressed and anxious to deeply grounded, playful, and (mostly!) present - Daniela now helps others rediscover what it means to live with presence, pleasure, and purpose.

Kali Balint

A father of three adult children (two sons!) and lifelong adventurer, Kali brings a rare blend of heart, humor, and grounded wisdom.

With more than 25 years of experience working alongside Aboriginal communities across Australia, Kali is known for his innovative and empowering approach to creating long-term change. His work focuses on helping people design and lead strategies that strengthen connection, purpose, and community from the inside out.

When he’s not consulting, you’ll find Kali outdoors - hiking, building, inventing, and sharing his love of nature, practical skills, and meaningful conversation.

At each retreat, Kali brings these same qualities to create an environment where boys and their mothers can rediscover what it means to belong - to the land, to each other, and to themselves.

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

Set into 15 acres of bush just an hour south of Perth...

A hidden pocket of nature close enough to reach easily… yet far enough to feel like a true escape. Where the city noise disappears and the bush wraps around you like a deep exhale. Wake to birdsong, soft morning light, and the kind of stillness your nervous system has been craving.

Testimonials

What our clients say

According to survey results, a whopping 100% of our retreat participants have rated their experience as ‘AMAZING’. Here is what some of our participants have had to say:

Retreat Testimonials

Book YOUR RETREAT

Extremely limited places - book now

Early Bird Pricing: Save $300! Our Western Australian retreats have all sold out. Get in quickly to secure your spot.

$2,290

Full Investment

(Early Bird Price. Regular price is $2,590)

$350

Payment Plan

$350 deposit + 12 fortnightly payments of $162

LEARN MORE

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faqs

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a refund after I register?

We do not provide refunds if you decide not to come or cannot make it after you register. You may transfer registration to another family, provided they pass our application process. Please consider this risk and commitment before registering. By booking, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions.

Can I take more than one child to a retreat?

We recommend attending with one child at a time to allow for deeper connection and more focused bonding. If you’re interested in bringing more than one child, please contact us to discuss options.

Can a mother figure take my child?

Yes. Absolutely! We think of Mother as a Verb, not a noun.

What if I come after arrival time or leave early? Is there flexibility to come and go?

Sorry, but no. You’re in for the whole deal. Once we’re on retreat, we’re there to stay – unless there’s some unforeseen emergency. Leaving disrupts the experience for you and others.

What do I need to bring?

Once you’re signed up, we’ll send you a full list. But the short version is: toiletries and clothes.

Is it true? No mobile phones?

Very true. And even if it sounds painful, it’s probably going to become a huge gift. We will have staff with cameras and promise to share the pictures. Just grab them and ask to have a picture taken.

Is this a spiritual retreat?

No specific faith or belief system is promoted. Our approach is grounded, heart-centered, and inclusive – drawing on mindfulness, ritual and modern psychology. The tone is gentle, respectful, and appropriate for a wide range of beliefs.

What if my child is nervous or shy?

That’s completely okay – and very common! Our facilitators create a safe, welcoming environment where every participant can move at their own pace. Many children leave feeling more confident and connected than they ever imagined.

What happens after the retreat?

You’ll leave with practical tools and shared language to continue the connection and growth at home. So far all of our groups have organised to stay in touch and support each other beyond the retreat – we encourage this! We also offer ongoing mentoring and programs to support you beyond your retreat experience.

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