Sportsmen's Getaway
October 23-30, 2026
Cascade Lodge | Durango, CO
Come Join Us!
Master Plan Ministries' Sportsmen's Getaway is a week-long Christian men's getaway in the San Juan Mountains just north of Durango, Colorado. We have been hosting this event for decades as our Cascade Lodge is the perfect location to get into the mountains to connect with God and other men.
About This Event
Connect with God and other like-minded Christian men from all over the country.
Each year there is a mix of men with no hunting experience, to those who are experts. We are all in this together to share and encourage the new guys, and help each other on the adventure.
Each evening we'll gather for about 45 minutes of sharing and Bible discussion, focusing on the most important things in life. This element has historically been a highlight for men who have come to our Sportsmen's Getaway.
Each day will have plenty of scheduled recreation time. While men can choose any sport or leisure activity to pursue, we planned this event to coincide with the 2nd big game rifle hunting season, and elk hunting has historically been the go-to activity.
Important: Master Plan is not an outfitter and as such is not responsible for supplying any hunting supplies or equipment.
Driving Note: 4-wheel drive will give you access to more places, but is not necessary.
Getaway Cost: $750
Master Plan Ministries has been around since 1985. MPM's mission statement is preparing others to reach and influence the world for Christ. By coming to this event, you are helping Master Plan Ministries make an impact for eternity. Any proceeds from this event, will go to one of our Great Commission oriented ministry initiatives.
Included
- Lodging
- Food
Not Included
- Hunting / fishing licenses
Save your spot with a $200 online deposit. The remainder is due on arrival. See discount options below.
Early Bird Specials
- If your deposit is received by end of June -- Total Registration Cost: $650
- If your deposit is received between July 1 and the end of August -- Total Registration Cost: $700
- If your deposit is received after September 1 -- Total Registration Cost: $750
Your balance is due upon arrival in cash or check. This is not a donation, but fees for an event.
Volunteer Discounts
- If you volunteer at our Cascade Lodge Volunteer Week in May, or Ranch Volunteer Week in June or at another ministry event during the same year as the Sportsmen's Getaway, we will credit you $50 per day volunteered to apply to the Sportsman's Getaway!
- New Discount This Year - We are looking for a dedicated man to be our daily kitchen cook/manager. Some cooking experience is necessary. Free room and board this year, and while this volunteer must plan to NOT hunt big game in order to prioritize the kitchen schedule, next year's getaway would be complementary and FREE! Call Austin to discuss details (contact info at the bottom of the page).
Important Details
Arrival
- Please schedule your arrival at Cascade Lodge anytime on Friday October 23rd. Be sure to settle in before our wild game kick off dinner at 6PM, group photo, and important Getaway orientation meeting.
- Optional Early Arrival - You may plan to arrive a day early on Thursday October 22nd after 1PM for extra time to settle in, scout, and acclimate. We'll have something hot for dinner around dusk.
- If Arriving by Plane - Durango / La Plata County has a full-service airport. Let us know your flight plans at least one week before your arrival, and we can pick you up. Cascade Lodge is a 45 minute drive to the airport.
Departure
- Please plan your departure on or by Friday, October 30th at 10AM. You can leave earlier if you need to, but we hope you will stay for the whole time.
- Possible Late Departure - The 2nd Rifle Season may run through the following weekend after we finish. You can inquire about staying at the Lodge longer, but this in on a case-by-case basis and is only available with MPM staff approval.
Preparation
- Physically: Expect to be challenged by the mountains and the altitude.
- Mentally: Expect your comfort zones to be challenged and expanded.
- Spiritually: God will do more than you expect!
Recent Trail Photos
Packing List
Essentials:
- Bible
- If you don't have a Bible, we would love to give you one! Just let a staff member know you would like one.
- Sleeping Bag or Sheets & Blanket (all beds are singles)
- Pillow
- Soap / Shampoo
- Shower Towel
- Personal Meds / Tylenol / Advil
- Small / Personal First-Aid Kit
- Journal / Notebook
- Pen / Pencil
- One or Two 32 oz. water bottles (or equivalent water bladder)
Hunting / Fishing:
- Guns / Ammo / Hunting License
(required if hunting)
- OnX Hunt (with maps downloaded)
- Hiking Boots (leather or nylon, broken in, waterproofed)
- Second pair of warm lightweight shoes
- Blaze orange hat & vest for outdoor activity visibility by hunters.
- While hunting, CO law states you must wear both.
- Rod or Spin-Cast Rod & Tackle (if fishing)
- Fly tying kit (if fishing and if you have one)
- Waders (if fishing or crossing rivers while hunting)
- Winter Coat / Snow Pants / Winter Gloves
- It may snow...
Optional:
- Rain Gear
(large poncho with hood is best - a rain jacket / suit works too)
- Lightweight Daypack or large-capacity fanny pack
- Flashlight / Headlamp
(spare batteries recommended)
- Light winter gloves
- Binoculars
- GPS
- Hunting Knife / Sharpener
- Lighter
- Survival Gear (in case you get lost while in the wilderness)
- e-Bike
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Master Plan Ministries an outfitter?
No, we are not.
The cost to attend the Getaway covers only MPM’s costs involved in conducting the Getaway with no MPM staff receiving any compensation from the funds paid for or raised at this event. The hunting and fishing activities are self-directed at each participant’s discretion. MPM is not a licensed “Outfitter” as defined by Colorado law and cannot engage in, nor be compensated for, guiding or supervising hunting and fishing activities nor providing gear for such activities.
What is the cancellation policy?
The "Decision Deadline" is 28 days before the Getaway start date.
If you need to cancel for any reason up to the Decision Deadline, we will refund your deposit minus the transaction fee charged by Eventbrite (approximately 7%).
If there are not 6 Getaway deposits made by the Decision Deadline, MPM reserves the right to cancel the event due to lack of interest, and we would notify men immediately and refund your deposit in a timely manner. Further, we will also notify you that we are confirming the Sportsmen’s Getaway on the day following the Decision Deadline.
If you cancel after the Decision Deadline, we will NOT plan to refund your deposit. However, under unique circumstances, and solely at our discretion, we may offer a refund.
What is Master Plan Ministries?
Master Plan Ministries is a non-denominational, evangelical, Christian ministry that exists to glorify God by helping fulfill the great commission.
What does the schedule look like?
Example Schedule
Note: Dates are fixed, but schedule times are subject to change.
Thursday - Optional Early Arrival
1-6:00PM - Arrive, settle in, relax, scout, sight in your gun, acclimate to the altitude, etc.
6:30PM - Dinner
7:30PM - Potential Bible Discussion
Friday - Formal Arrival Day
Arrive anytime before dinner
8:00AM - Breakfast
10:00AM - Free Time
12:00PM - Lunch
1-5:00PM - Tree Time (Sight in guns, do some scouting, etc.)
6:30PM - Group Photo and Wild Game Kick Off Dinner
7:30PM - Orientation Meeting
9:00PM - Make Sack Lunches for next day
Saturday - Recreation (opening Day of 2nd Rifle Season)
Early as you want - Breakfast
All Day - Free Time
6:30PM - Dinner
7:30PM - Stories from the Field and Bible Discussion
9:00PM - Make Sack Lunches for next day
Sunday through Thursday
(See Saturday's schedule)
Friday - Departure
Depart (anytime in the AM)
What is the hunting style?
Usually at this time the weather is getting colder and the elk are bugling less and less. There is a lot of intrigue in calling correctly to see if a bull or cow will come in to the call. Stalking along game trails and using the wind correctly can also produce some great surprises and some good shots. The elk are usually active, walking around and grazing from first light to around 10AM. Then, they lay down until around 4PM. So in the middle of the day, a wise hunter sits down and watches open areas where elk may be pushed by other hunters.
Is there a range for sighting in guns?
Yes
We will have a natural 100yd shooting range with targets to check your gun sights and take some practice shots.
Is there fishing?
Yes!
At this time, fishing is good. Usually after 2-3 days of climbing mountains, fishing for a day can be a good break. There are a lot of good fishing places. The Kokanee Salmon snagging season may still be ongoing.
What temperatures are expected?
Bring Layers
It will likely be cold in the early morning and warm in the afternoon. Temps could range from 10-75 degrees.
Can I come if I am not a committed Christian or have never been to an MPM event like this before?
Yes!
We think that any natural born man would really enjoy this retreat. It will also help if you are open minded to the claims of Jesus, and are willing to listen to several men share stories about how God changed their lives and willing to listen to engaging messages from the Bible. Please note that there will be no alcohol at the Cascade Lodge and we are aiming to cultivate a God honoring environment.
Do I have to go to the Bible study?
Yes
We recommend that you hunt closer to the lodge if you want to hunt as late as possible in the evening so that you can be back for dinner at 6:30PM. We want all the men who come to value the Bible discussion at 7:30PM, even if they are eating with dinner on their lap. If you miss a Bible discussion due to a close encounter with an elk, or a harder than expected hike out, it's not going to hurt our feelings. However if you plan to skip all the Bible discussions, this getaway is likely not a good fit for you. We are working to encourage an environment of real Christian fellowship. This is a big way to honor the Lord who is the giver of every good gift, including successful hunts.
Is this event for men only?
Yes, biologically speaking.
We are trying to give men a chance to escape the typical daily routines, and be authentic and real with each other. While we love our wives and are thankful for women, this is a "men's getaway". Master Plan does host other women's only and co-ed events.
Can I bring my ATV, boat, or RV?
Yes, but...
We need to be sure that we have enough space to park them. Please call Russ or Austin to confirm.
Can I bring my son?
Yes...
We think that a young man age 11 and older can have a lot of fun and meaningful time at this getaway. We expect them to participate in the evening Bible studies, and if the discussions are PG-13 due to the seriousness of life, you will be responsible to debrief with your son about the content to help him process becoming a man. There may be a youth sportsmen discount this year - contact Austin for details. Small game such as rabbits, grouse, and squirrels abound in the area.
PG-13
Who are the hosts?
Russ & Austin
Russ Akins is a co-founder of Master Plan Ministries and grew up in this part of Colorado as an outdoorsman. He founded Master Plan Ministries in 1985, and has conducted dozens of men's retreats in this area over those 30 years. Russ has been hunting elk in this area since he was a teenager.
Austin is the President of MPM. He came to Durango from PA in 1997 and has been climbing mountains, chasing elk, and enjoying the CO outdoors since then. Austin has been serving on staff with MPM for since 2002 and has been hunting in SW Colorado for just as long.
Can I come late or leave early?
Yes
Just let us know your plans.
I heard that you bring horses and butcher animals that are harvested on site. Is that true?
Historically, yes...
While Russ has brought his horse and mule, a meat grinder, and cutting boards, etc., past history is not a promise or guarantee of any future Sportsmen's Getaway. We are not an outfitter or official guides. All outdoor activities are officially self guided. Contact Russ with any questions.
Can we smoke and drink beer?
No
While we strongly disagree with smoking, if you need to smoke you may go for a walk outside.
There is a "no-alcohol" policy at Cascade Lodge.
Still Have Questions?
Contact Austin or Russ
Austin Krokos -
MPM President
Austin.Krokos@mpmstaff.com
970-749-7873
Russ Akins -
MPM Founder | President Emeritus | Mountain Ministry Venues Lead
Russ.Akins@mpmstaff.com
970-259-5768
