A Father’s Retreat
Leading from the Heart
Mandala Springs Center Northern California
September 18-22, 2025
“Fatherhood is an opportunity to become the person I always wanted to be”.
The Reason
This retreat will guide us toward engaging the whole man in our journey as fathers - head, heart, and hands. In this retreat we will be encouraged to recalibrate our approach to fatherhood by reflecting on how we are being thoughtfully present, emotionally connected, and intentionally participating with our children.
Many of us find ourselves reacting by default with our kids in ways that our own fathers did. We will explore ways to become a “Transitional Character” through consciously striving to be a generational change maker. How? By learning to lead more from our hearts than our heads. Most men have been rewarded for their intellectual/business acumen, and less for their socio-emotional intelligence.
If it’s time to begin living your life by what we call “eulogy values” rather than “resume values”, then join us in the rolling hills of Northern California to hit “re-set” in your striving to be the best dad you can be. We can reclaim a healthy masculinity embracing confidence, adventure, authority, and discipline with our children through heart-centered leadership.
The Content
Themes in Roland’s upcoming book, “Field Guide for Fatherhood, Leading from the Heart” will permeate this retreat.
They include topics of:
Confidence - Cowboys & Horses
Adventure & Spontaneity - Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid
Know Thyself - Excalibur; The Sword & the Stone
Building Character -The Pilates of Principles
Breaking the Chain - Beowulf vs Grendel
Balance - Zen and the Mastery of Emotions
Humor - The Power of Laughter
Nature - The Great Antidote
Language - Speaking & Listening Skills
Less is More - The Minimalist Father
Friendship - The Power of the Tribe
Love - There is no Substitute.
Join us for a transformative retreat inspired by Roland’s upcoming book, Field Guide for Fatherhood: Leading from the Heart. This retreat is a space built around trust, where fathers can reflect, evolve, and be inspired, while also being nurtured by some of the world’s most pristine natural surroundings, and the camaraderie of a strong tribe.
The Location: Mandala Springs Center
14117 BOTTLE ROCK RD
COBB, CA 95426
Dates: September 18-22, 2025 (Thursday Dinner through Monday Breakfast)
Price: US $1,950 Double-room / US $2,350 Single-room (payment plans available email us at realworks95@gmail.com to learn more)
Location: 14117 Bottle Rock Road, Cobb, CA, 95426
*This will be a small and intimate retreat with 8-16 men.
Included:
• Morning guided meditation
• Morning yoga practice
• 4 nights accommodation
• Chef catered delicious 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 2 dinners
• Daily workshop activities
• Spatial Dynamics movement exercises
Not Included:
• Costs to travel to retreat.
Payment plans available email Realworks95@gmail.com to learn more
Watch testimonial video here
Make it count
The role of a father is one of life’s most significant and impactful responsibilities. The precious time you have with your children is fleeting, making it all the more important to seize every opportunity to grow and connect. In this video, fathers share how attending a Fathers Group has helped them navigate the challenges of parenthood, build stronger relationships, and make the most of their irreplaceable role in their children’s lives.
The Testimonials
-
“I can say unequivocally that Roland’s work provided much needed parenting support. He is a skilled and passionate group leader who is equally adept at providing didactic training, facilitating group process and leading instructive movement exercises. Roland’s groups served a very valuable purpose for my family.”
- Doug Silberstein, MFT
-
Roland’s fathers’ group made it possible for me to have a much more enriching engagement with my family at home.
- Jeff Everage; former NAVY SEAL
-
Participating in Roland’s fathers’ group will be a gift to your children.”
- John Reighard; PR for Jack Canfield, author of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books
-
I cannot put a value on the positive effects that Roland has brought to my family and the parenting of my children. I appreciate his facilitation style which honors the masculine impulse.
- Dustin Deason; General Contractor
-
I’ve enjoyed five years in Roland’s fathers’ groups, where discussions range from light-hearted to intense and vulnerable in a way that is supported by the trust and integrity within the group.
- Simon Littler, Entrepreneur
About Roland Baril
Roland has been an educator for the past 33 years, as a class teacher and faculty chair in numerous NY and CA Waldorf Schools. He served for five years as the Leadership Council Rep for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and as an administrator and Dean of Ed in Marin and Sonoma county schools. He earned his master’s degree from Sunbridge College, NY via SUNY, and is a graduate of Spatial Dynamics training in NY.
Roland has been leading fathers’ groups for the past 16 years, and works with fathers individually in his Life Coaching practice. He is a devoted father to his two sons and lives with his wife, Michele, founder of Iris&Romeo, and their horse, dog, and cat in the wine country of Sonoma County. He also enjoys performing as the frontman in his Americana/Outlaw Country band, Redwood Highway Ramblers.
Arrival and Departure
Check in is 3pm on the 18th September 2025 and there will be a welcome gathering later that day followed by a delicious dinner.
Check out is 10am on 22nd September 2025 after breakfast.
There will be one afternoon/evening in the week that no activities are offered, giving you the time to have an extended day to
yourself to potentially explore the surrounding area, and two dinners will be out in town.
Typical Daily Schedule
7:30am Guided Meditation
8-8:45am Yoga Practice
9:00am Breakfast/Break
10-11:45am Fatherhood Workshop Activities
12pm Lunch/Break
1:30-3:15pm Fatherhood Workshop Activities
3:30-5:30pm Restorative Recreation E. G. Swimming/paddle boarding/hiking/athletic activities/games
6:15pm Dinner/Reflection/Journaling
7:30pm Personal Time/Bonfire
The Logistics & Schedule
Payment plans available email Realworks95@gmail.com to learn more
“To her, the name of father was another name for love.”
Let’s Do This!
Reserve your spot today for a life-changing retreat in Northern California, where immersive workshops and powerful activities will equip you with the tools to become the best father you can be in today’s world.
FAQ
-
Mandala Springs offers comfortable accommodations. We have double and single rooms with Queen and Full size beds. If you would like to have a cabin all by yourself please let us know we will try our best to accommodate you.
-
Our three daily delicious vegetarian meals will be prepared by a local chef and use seasonal and organic produce. When filling up our form you will have an opportunity to tel us about any food sensitive or allergies.
-
A $500 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit is required to secure your participation in this retreat.
The final balance payment is due by May 20, 2025, and all payments are non-refundable after this date. However, if you decide not to participate or can not participate you can transfer your reservation to another father.
-
This is your time to rejuvenate and restore yourself. While we highly recommend you to stay with the activities you may choose to sit one out.
-
Once you have registered, we will send you a suggestion for a packing list, as well as a form to fill out giving us more information about food allergies and other comments to help us prepare for your arrival. If you have opted to share a room, we will send you a survey to find a suitable roommate.