Rooted in the Land: A Men's Writing Retreat
A men's writing retreat inspired by Wendell Berry. Join us for a weekend of reflection, fraternity and renewal, as we write our way toward a deeper rootedness and belonging.
This year, our gathering draws on the poetry and agrarian wisdom of Wendell Berry. Together, we'll explore stillness, nature, and the sacredness of everyday life, looking closely at our relationship with the land beneath our feet. Through writing, we will work to rediscover the divine presence in our own stories.
Wendell Berry died on August 31, 2026, in Port Royal, Kentucky, at the age of 92. We gather this January in gratitude for his life, his work, and the reverence he held for the land.
🗓️ Registration Is Open
Friday, January 15 – Sunday, January 17, 2027
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. Friday, rooms are ready by 5:00, dinner is at 6:00, and our first session begins around 7:00. We close after lunch on Sunday.
$350 through December 1, 2026 · $400 after that
Your own room and every meal are included. Space is limited to 50 men.
Is This Writing Retreat for Me?
You don't have to think of yourself as a poet or a writer to greatly benefit from this weekend. You can write poetry, a series of journal entries, or some combination of the two. The focus is the spiritual journey, not the craft.
This retreat is for you, even if:
- You have never written a poem in your life, or you've been publishing for years and want some new inspiration.
- You prefer journaling over writing verse, or you write a poem every day.
- You'd rather not read your work aloud, or you regularly do poetry slams.
- You know nothing about Wendell Berry, or you wrote your dissertation on Wendell Berry.
The Flow of the Retreat
Throughout the weekend, we'll gather for multiple writing sessions designed to spark your own reflection. While we often draw on Wendell Berry's poetry or essays to introduce a guided prompt, the real focus is on introspection and the writing that follows.
A core part of the experience happens in our council groups. These are small circles of six or seven men that stay together for the entire retreat. Councils offer a dedicated space where you can share what you've written, though reading your work is always entirely voluntary. Additionally, each of us will get the chance to pair off with one other person to share a freshly written page. For those who want to share with the larger group, Saturday evening also features an open mic where anyone can step up and read their favorite pieces from the weekend.
Just as important as the writing is the space between the sessions. The schedule includes downtime so the weekend doesn't feel overly rushed. You will have time for rest, quiet contemplation, and wandering outside to simply be in nature. Some sessions are optional, so if you don't have the energy, you don't have to attend.
This retreat is designed to give people a chance to breathe. It happens at the start of the new year so that you can let go of what has passed and take in what is now in front of you. We start our day with an optional morning prayer or meditation, or you can use your downtime to wander outdoors or simply catch up on rest inside. The evenings are left open for a relaxed social time with no agenda — although, for those interested in a later night session, we will offer an optional 2 a.m. chapel writing experience.
The Venue & Logistics
Location: Bergamo Center for Lifelong Learning, 4400 Shakertown Road, Dayton, OH 45430
The retreat is hosted on the quiet, 150-acre campus of Mount Saint John. Founded in 1967 by the Marianist order, the center welcomes guests of all traditions, and offers a peaceful, fully staffed environment dedicated to hospitality and spiritual renewal.
- Your own room — single occupancy, with a private bathroom. Every room is on the ground floor.
- Every meal, from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Dietary needs are accommodated; tell us when you register.
- 150 acres of forest, fields and a pond, made for quiet walking.
Flying in? Bergamo is about a half hour from the Dayton airport. Share your flight times when you register and we may be able to arrange a volunteer to meet you, bring you to the retreat site, and get you back to the airport on Sunday. That depends on your arriving shortly before the retreat begins and leaving after it finishes, and we can't guarantee it. Uber and other ride shares are an easy option too, and they accommodate any schedule.
If the Fee Is a Barrier
We would rather have you here. If the cost is prohibitive, enter one of these codes when you register — no explanation is needed, and no one will ask: ROOTED300 (registration becomes $300) or ROOTED250 (registration becomes $250). If even the reduced rate is out of reach, write to us before you register.
If you're able to give beyond your registration, the form also offers a gift to the Scholarship & Support Fund, which brings men who could not otherwise afford the weekend.
If Your Plans Change
Through December 1, 2026, we refund in full less a $35 administrative fee. From December 2 to January 4, half. After January 4 the Bergamo Center bills us for your room and meals either way, so we cannot refund — but write to us if something serious happens.
Your Retreat Guides
Brian Mueller is a graphic designer, presence guide, and poet with twelve self-published collections. He has co-guided this retreat for a decade.
Tom Sparough is a freelance content editor whose own writing spans seven eclectic books and a full-length play.
Questions?
Please reach out if you'd like to join us but need more information first. Either of us is glad to talk it through — send us a note, or read more on the retreat page.
$350 through December 1, 2026 · $400 after · about five minutes · you pay by card on Stripe's secure page
Rooted in the Land is an Illuman sponsored event. This retreat is inspired by and celebrates the work of Wendell Berry; permission to use excerpts from his work has been graciously granted by his publisher, Counterpoint Press. Mr. Berry did not endorse or sponsor this event. Registration is processed by B:Drive Communications, LLC on behalf of Illuman.