October 2-4, 2026
(Friday Afternoon - Sunday Morning)
You're invited to a weekend of fire, food, friendship, and thoughtful conversation.
We're twin dads and long-time enthusiasts for creating space for conversations and connections.
In a world increasingly shaped by screens and speed, we're gathering around campfires instead.
We'll cook together.
Wander together.
Play together.
Ask better questions.
Imagine a future worth building.
And practice the kind of life we'd like to live more often.
Why don't you join us?
Where will it be?
📍 William O'Brien State Park
16821 O'Brien Trail North
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
Beautiful secluded state park less than an hour from the MSP airport.
We can help coordinate/provide transportation!
Who will be there?
Hopefully you!
Our local estuary group* will anchor our gathering but anyone looking to find a group of friendly conversationalists looking to slow down, lean in, and enjoy the great outdoors is welcome.
We have enough space for up to 50 at the group campsite.
We're aiming for a gathering size of 10-30.
Will there be food?
Yes, we'll provide the fixin's for meals:
• Dinner Friday
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Saturday
• and Breakfast Sunday
They'll be thoughtful meals planned by our kitchen host and largely cooked collectively. Come hungry.
What do I need to bring?
We can supply basic camping gear:
Tents, Sleeping Bags, Pads, Pillows.
Layers. It'll be fall in Minnesota. 🍂
Perfect for low bugs, enjoying fires, and being active.
Average temps range from 65° high and 45° low.
Curiosity.
Journal.
Favorite pocket knife.
Swim gear.
Imagination.
Flash light.
Participatory explosiveness.
What will we do?
We’ll provide a loose schedule with plenty of time for offshoot adventure. Our focus will be on cultivating the type of community we'd like to live in more often, but if you need some solo space for reflection, you are free to take it.
Our goal is to enjoy the time together in nature and walk away enlivened.
How can I contact you?
Please use the contact form at the bottom of the page to express your interest!
Or email: estuarymn@gmail.com
F.A.Q.
Contact us and
Contribute what makes sense:
We invite you to contribute what feels right for your circumstances, between $75 and $200.
The True Cost of the weekend is approximately $125 per person, and that's the amount we recommend if it's within your means.
If you're able to contribute more, your generosity helps make the weekend accessible to others. If $75 is what makes sense right now, we're simply glad you're coming.
Your contribution helps cover:
Campsite reservation
Firewood
Shared meals
Cooking supplies
Gift for our kitchen host
Coffee, snacks, and camp essentials
Shared equipment
Web-related stuffs
Anything left over will support other MN Estuary endeavors!
Registration
Contact Us:
The Source of "Estuary"
This gathering grew out of friendships formed through This Little Corner of the Internet and the wider Estuary community. We want to be part of seeing what happens when conversations move from comment sections to campfires - from VNA to IRL.
Everyone is welcome, whether you've been lurking for years or have never heard of any of those things before.
