Taking the Wisdom Journey Home!

Waukesha, Wisconsin | September 28 – October 1, 2026

Our world, including Crucible, needs servant elders – those who model and share their godly character and serve willingly and intentionally. It’s time for us to shift out of our first half of life’s “heroic journey”- that which got us where we are – to the second half of life’s “wisdom journey”, where we bring openhanded grace to share what we have learned with wisdom and humility. It’s easy to become old without maturity, to be opinionated without understanding, and wanting respect without having earned it. This retreat will initiate us on our elder journey together to grow as men of character, acceptance, and understanding. This retreat will help us bring our eldership with purpose and intentionality into our worlds.

New for 2026 – an Elder Retreat Alumni Track

If you’ve attended a TCP Elder Retreat but would like to continue your elder journey, we will have a separate track for you. It will include new teaching content, different processes, and council group(s) for returning elders.

You will have the opportunity to mingle with those who are doing their initial elder retreat as well as with your peers doing the alumni retreat track. There will be some shared activities during the weekend, as well as shared morning sit and meal times for all men. Location and arrival/departure times and cost are the same for both weekends.

To apply for this retreat, fill out the application form below. Cost for alumni is $650.

 

 When: Monday, Sept. 28 – 5:30-5:45 pm to Thursday, Oct. 1 – 3:00 pm 

 

Where: Waukesha, WI (30 min from Milwaukee, WI; 2 hrs 15 minutes from O’Hare). Carpool from O’Hare can be arranged with local Crucible men.

 

Cost for first time participants: $750

 

Retreat Eligibility for first time participants:

  1. TCP Elder Council Members/Lead Elders, or
  2. TCP Lead Elder Candidates, or
  3. Men committed to living out eldership in their communities.

For those fitting eligibility criteria #3 above, priority will be given to TCP men aged 60+, who are active in their own soul work through groups or staffing and who have a heart for serving their world by bringing elder energy.

Retreat Eligibility for alumni participants:

You must have attended a previous Crucible Elder Retreat.

About both retreats (what to expect):

  • The retreat will be at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center in Waukesha, WI. They will provide private motel-like bedrooms which have a Jack & Jill bath between adjoining rooms, meeting rooms, food services, and grounds of the retreat center.
  • For first time participants, this weekend will have an initiatory arc while also having the energy of second level weekends where we all form the weekend container as initiated men. It will not be an ordeal. Food and sleep should be more than adequate.
  • For alumni, this weekend will build on the concepts discussed on the first elder retreat and introduce additional life skills and character development for giving not only our life away, but also our death.
  • Like all TCP retreats there will be a combination of large group, small group, individual exercises, and solo time for work and contemplation.
  • We will be located in a rural setting. There will be time to walk the retreat grounds, do journaling or contemplative exercises outdoors, and in the evening, sitting outside around a fire, etc. It’s late September in WI. It could be rainy, warm or it could be cold. Pack accordingly.
  • For those flying to the retreat, this is close to Milwaukee, WI. Drivers from Chicago can assist men flying into Chicago or Milwaukee, WI.
  • More retreat site info: Retreat Building and Grounds | Schoenstatt Movement


Application Form (click here)


Applications will be reviewed within 2 weeks of submission and you will receive an email inviting you to a conversation with a retreat staff member. With input from the information on the application, the conversation will be to ascertain your understanding and readiness for this retreat. Acceptance will be confirmed following the conversation and you may secure your spot with a deposit. First come, first served. A waiting list will be established when the retreat is full.


 $350 Deposit is due upon acceptance. Balance will be due by Sept. 1, 2026.


Expect to receive pre-retreat assignments, packing list, and directions to the facility upon acceptance and payment.