Chiang Mai Family Rite of Passage Bootcamp
- When
- Where
- Village Green Wellness Retreat, Chiang Mai235 Moo 2, Mae Pong, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, ThailandView on map
A son does not become a man simply because he grows older.
He needs meaningful challenges, trusted adults, honest conversations and moments that communicate:
“I see you. I believe in you. I am walking with you.”
The Family Rite of Passage Retreat is a private 3-day, 2-night experience in the Chiang Mai countryside. It is centred around a father and son journeying together, with a parallel programme that allows the mother, daughters and whole family to participate meaningfully.
26–28 November 2026
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Central focus: Father and son
Parallel experiences available for the family
THE FATHER–SON JOURNEY
Through physical challenges, practical skills and intentional conversations, fathers and sons will have opportunities to build trust, strengthen their relationship and mark an important stage of growing up.
The journey may include:
Martial arts and practical self-defence
Controlled, age-appropriate challenges
Guided outdoor adventure
Facilitated father–son conversations
Fireside reflection, affirmation and blessing
THE MOTHER-AND-DAUGHTERS JOURNEY
While the father–son experience remains at the heart of the retreat, mothers and daughters may participate through a thoughtfully designed parallel programme featuring:
Restorative wellness experiences
Creative and therapeutic activities
Whole-family self-defence training
Time to slow down and soak in nature
A guided outdoor family adventure
Shared fireside and closing moments
This is not a military bootcamp or an extreme survival challenge.
Every physical activity is adapted to the participants’ ages, experience, health and comfort. It is a guided family experience built around courage, responsibility, connection and the transition towards greater maturity.
The private family programme includes:
• Two nights’ accommodation
• Meals throughout the retreat
• Guided activities and facilitation
• Programme-related transport
• Two-way Chiang Mai airport transfers
• Father–son, mother–daughter and whole-family experiences
Each group retreat is intentionally kept small (maximum 3 sets of families) and personalised so that the journey remains safe, meaningful and relevant to the family.
To enquire about arranging a private rite-of-passage experience for your family, contact Coach Joe Chan.
Retreat Highlights:
https://youtu.be/DCyhQBVZ0q8?si=-SsXC0aIDx62lfnc
Email at [email protected] to receive the full Family Retreat Information Pack.
Because boys don't become men by accident. They need a journey, a guide, and a community to walk with them.
Frequently asked questions
Can the journey include more than one son?
Yes. The experience can be scoped around the number and ages of the boys participating.
Can mothers or other family members participate?
Yes. Mothers or other children can take part in selected reflections, parent sessions, family meals and the reintegration circle while father and son complete certain activities together. Concurrent activities can be planned and proposed for mothers and daughters if they are open to it.
How long is the family journey?
Three days and two nights is the usual starting point. The journey can be lengthened according to the family’s needs. The final duration and itinerary depend on the family’s travel plans, participants, activities and desired outcomes.
What does the family journey cost?
The journey starts from SGD 1,100 for one parent and one son for 3D2N in a group format. The final fee is adjusted according to the number of participating or accompanying family members, accommodation requirements, duration and selected activities.
Does my son need martial arts experience?
Activities are suitable for all levels and customised according to readiness, physical condition and relevant health considerations.
What is included?
Accommodation, Chiang Mai airport transfers, all meals, programme facilitation and selected activities are included. International flights, travel insurance and personal expenses are excluded.
Can this help repair a difficult father–son relationship?
The journey can create space for reconnection and more honest communication, but it is not family therapy. The discovery call helps determine whether the experience is appropriate for your family’s current situation. Depending on the family’s needs, preparatory coaching or other forms of professional support may be recommended before the journey.
Who is Coach Joe Chan and what is his background?
Coach Joe Chan is a ex social worker with over 20 years of experience working with at risk youths and families in Singapore. To find out more about him, please visit https://www.apply.coachjoechan.com/about-me
Organised by
Walking With Boys Towards Manhood I work primarily with boys and young men navigating identity, motivation, emotional resilience, responsibility and the transition towards adulthood. As a Singaporean Youth and Manhood Coach, ICF PCC, former social worker and father of two boys, I bring more than 20 years of experience supporting youths and families. I understand the pressures parents face today—academic expectations, emotional wellbeing concerns, digital distractions and the quiet worry about whether their sons are developing the resilience and character they will need for adulthood. More about me at https://www.apply.coachjoechan.com/about-me