Mainely Men 88 — Fall 2025
MM88 was held October 10-13, 2025
Click here for what to expect at Mainely Men gatherings
Scroll down for workshop information, our rate structure, and the weekend schedule.
We are pleased that Ed Valentine was our pinky!
The theme was Grounded Masculinity versus Performative Masculinity.
We see a lot of performative manhood in DC. Call it Massive Manhood. We at MM exemplify manhood with much more depth and substance. There is a crisis of manhood amongst young men, so what essentials of manhood can we inculcate or pass on to them?
Workshops Related to Our Theme
Performative vs. Fundamental Masculinity – Participants wrote down traits they viewed as fundamentally masculine and discussed whether those qualities applied across genders. Led by Ed V.
“Masculinity Is Not a Pathology,” Of Boys and Men – We explored themes from Richard Reeves’s book Of Boys and Men and discussed modern research on masculinity. Led by Ed V.
Additional Workshops
Caregiving – A discussion about the challenges of caregiving, especially for loved ones with dementia, and the value of shared experience. Led by Mike N.
Discovering Delicious Modal Jazz! – An introduction to modal jazz, its sound, and its major artists, with plenty of listening and discussion. Led by Eric A.
Men Singing Together – A workshop on breath, pitch, and emotional connection through group singing, with the option to perform at the cultural event. Led by Tim C.
Moral Bingo – A lively, introspective game using bingo cards to explore moral instincts and personal boundaries. Led by Rudy N.
Navigating Sexual Identity, Gender, and Orientation – An overview of models of human sexuality, helping participants reflect on identity, orientation, and authentic expression. Led by Muncie M.
Otroverts (the sense of feeling other) – A discussion for those who often feel “other” or outside the group, exploring the concept of otroversion. Led by Chris N.
Philosophical Questions: Sharpen Your Mind with Big Questions – Participants tackled challenging philosophical questions to deepen critical thinking. Led by Steve C.
Poems of Love and Friendship – An informal reading of poems from ancient Greece to modern times, including work by Mainely Men founder Dodd Roberts. Led by Tim C.
Redirecting the Story of Our Lives (Getting Unstuck) – A workshop using story‑shape models from Vonnegut and Joseph Campbell to explore personal change. Led by Chris N.
Searching for the Lost Trail to Manhood – A discussion of traditional rites of passage and modern equivalents for boys becoming men. Led by Steven M.
These Old Pipes: Aging and Sexual and Urinary Health – An open conversation about changes in sexual and urinary function, and how they affect identity and relationships. Led by Jon H.
Past Workshops
- See our past workshops
Weekend Schedule
Friday
3:00–5:45 – Greeting and Registration
6:00–7:00 – Dinner
6:30 – Camp Director Info / Board Introductions / Pinky Announcements
7:00–7:30 – Newcomer orientation
7:30–9:00 – Procession & Smoke Cleansing / Opening Circle
9:00–9:30 – Heart Groups
10:00 – Quiet Time
Saturday
7:00–8:00 – Breakfast
8:00–9:30 – Workshop Session 1
10:00–11:30 – Workshop Session 2
12:00–12:45 – Lunch
12:45–1:15 – Group Photo
1:15–2:15 – Board Round Table
2:30–4:00 – Workshop Session 3
4:30–6:00 – Workshop Session 4
6:00–7:00 – Dinner
7:30–8:00 – Heart Groups
8:00 – Personal Time / Fire Pit / Music Circle
10:00 – Quiet Time
Sunday
7:00–8:00 – Breakfast
8:00–9:30 – Workshop Session 5
10:00–11:30 – Workshop Session 6
12:00–1:00 – Lunch
1:00–5:00 – Affinity Groups / Free Time
3:30–5:00 – Angel Walk
5:15–5:45 – Heart Groups
6:00–7:00 – Dinner
7:30–9:00 – Cultural Event
9:00 – Personal Time / Fire Pit / Music Circle
10:00 – Quiet Time
Monday
7:00–8:00 – Breakfast
8:15–9:30 – Closing Circle
10:00–11:30 – Workshop Session 7
12:00–1:00 – Lunch
1:00 – Cleanup of lodge