welcome
I’m truly honored to have such a great group of men joining for the weekend, and I’m excited for the experiences we’ll share together. Please take a moment to review the following page for important details to ensure we all have a smooth and memorable time. Looking forward to an amazing weekend ahead!
weather and activities
The current forecast for the weekend is partly cloudy, with temperatures ranging from the high 50s at night to the mid-70s during the day. It’s ideal weather for hiking, though it might be a bit cool for river rafting. Please pack appropriately. Remember, all activities are optional, and participation is at your own risk.
ground rules
At our men's retreat, we ask everyone to arrive on time and be fully present throughout the weekend. Respect for others is key—listen actively and support your fellow participants. Please also take care of the house we're staying in by keeping communal spaces clean and treating it as your own. Let's create a supportive, mindful environment together.
Please remember to respect everyone’s privacy by keeping what’s shared within the group confidential. Only post photos to social media if everyone in the picture has given their approval.
Departure Meeting Location and Time
Let’s meet at 555 West 43rd Street, NY, New York between 12:30 -12:45p for a 1:00p departure.
The House
Address: 61 Laird Road, Swan Lake, NY 12783
KEY - There is a lockbox in front of the front entrance next to the glass garage door. The code is 0227. There are two sets of keys. Please make sure to leave the keys in the lockbox when you leave the house and lock the lockbox. To lock the doors you must pull the doorhandles up sharply until you hear a click, then lock. Same with the glass doors if you lock them from the inside.
WIFI: The WIFI router is in the basement behind the dry wall at the bottom of the stairs Login: 61Laird Password: Catskills1
Please NO SHOES INSIDE THE HOUSE You can leave muddy boots outside the front door and all shoes under the mudroom bench or in the coat closet. -
FIREPLACE - firewood for your first evening at Casa Nera is complimentary but we ask guests to either bring their own firewood which you can purchase at Peck's in Callicoon or at the gas station thereafter. Should you want to use more wood provided we ask for a $45 contribution for restocking and stacking. Before using the fireplace please make sure the hood is open!!!! You will find a fire starter and matches there. Please keep the metal curtain closed when the fire is on to avoid sparks from flying out and close the glass doors at night when you go to sleep.
GRILL - Please rub grill grates down after each use with the metal brush provided.
WATER - There is a reverse Osmosis filter for drinking water, it's the small brass faucet by the sink. The water is well water and can on occasion when a lot of people use the well turn a little pink. This is normal, no reason to worry and fine to shower or bathe in. You may see some deposit in the toilets, this is not dirt but from the well water.
KITCHEN - Please note that the wood countertops in the kitchen are NOT BUTCHERBLOCK! Please only cut on designated cutting boards and keep the wood countertops dry by mopping up any standing water immediately. There are coffee, tea, salt, pepper, sugar, vinegar, spices, toilet paper and paper towels. Please replace anything you've used up completely. There are placemats in the drawer of the dining table. Please separate the trash, recyclable goes into the bin in the back (glass, aluminium, plastic, paper, carton) and regular trash into the bin in the front.
The trash bins are in the garage. Before you leave please tie up the trash bags and place them in the garbage cans in the garage. Do not place loose bottles or items in the bin and don't leave any trash outside of trash bin as that will attract rodents.
BATHROOMS - Upstairs bathroom - please leave the shower house inside the bathtub while showering to avoid dripping on the floor. Also please make sure the shower curtain is inside the tub. Downstairs bathroom - when you turn on the light there is an annoying buzz which. You can turn that off by pressing the button on the mirror.
What to Pack:
I’ll supply insect repellent, a cooler for the river, yoga mats and blocks, bug spray, a reusable aluminum water bottle, and a lightweight, water-resistant ripstop backpack for everyone.
waterproof windbreaker (for the river experience)
shoes with good tread / shoes that can get wet (for rafting and hiking)
yoga mat if you’d like to bring your own, otherwise I’ll pack mats.
athletic wear for hiking / rafting
sunscreen
The Food Situation
Here’s a rough outline of meal ideas for the weekend, and I’m open to any suggestions! The only expenses not covered for the weekend are food, fuel, and house-related costs (like firewood), which we’ll split among the group at the end. If you're planning to prepare meals or bring something to share, please keep your receipts so we can manage expenses.
I’ll bring some of the main food items (like chicken, turkey, salmon, and other essentials), and the plan is to stop at farm stands or farmers markets to pick up fresh produce, eggs, greens, and seasonal ingredients.