The Forge @ The Outpost
2026-01-16 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Outpost, 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN, United States
What is The Forge?

The Forge is our winter season Blueprint for Men gathering at the Men’s Outpost. The Outpost is an old warehouse, near a little airstrip, tucked into the oaks and pines. We meet around a big campfire out back or, if the weather is bad, we hangout inside the shop.
It’s a man code evening complete with good food, good music, good fellowship, and maybe even a little bit of forging! At every Forge event we watch and discuss a Christian movie so sometimes we stay a little late but…
if you’re looking for fellowship you’ll find it at The Forge!
If you’d like to join us, here are the details…

Time – From 6-9 pm
Location – 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN
Reservation – None needed, just show up!
Bring – Campfire food, camp chairs, music instruments, and friends.

Movie Line-Up

October 24 – War Room

November 21 – I Can Only Imagine

December 19 – The Ultimate Gift

January 16 – The Jesus Revolution

February 20 – The Heart of a Man

Questions?

Contact – Marty Miller at 423-322-8491

Pictures from a recent Forge event…

Men’s Prayer Breakfast
2026-02-01 08:30 - 10:00 | Collegedale Church, 4829 College Dr E, Collegedale, TN, 37315, United States
MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
Collegedale Church Fellowship Hall
Sunday, February 1
8:30-10:00 am
Gentlemen,
You are invited to attend our annual Collegedale Church Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Sunday, February 1 at 8:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. Men and boys of all ages are encouraged to attend. Breakfast is free.
Our theme this year is “Men of Courage” and our focus verse is…

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

If there’s ever been a time when God needs men to lead with courage it is now. Are you ready to take action and lead? If so, join us for this outstanding event.
Our time together will feature a hearty man-style breakfast, inspirational music, and powerful message brought to us by Pastor Kris Eckenroth.
Our menu will feature breakfast burritos and more! Vegan and gluten-free options available upon registration.
Join us as we “gird up” for action in 2026!
Marty Miller, Tony Dahlberg, and Phillip Pfeifer
Collegedale Church Men’s Ministry Leaders
Questions?
Call or text Tony Dahlberg at 423-618-7362
REGISTER HERE

MAIN SPEAKER
Pastor Kris Eckenroth

ROCK CLIMBING @ SAND ROCK
2026-04-26 08:00 - 18:00 | WY
Intro to Rock Climbing
Sunday, April 26, 2026
8:00 am – 6:00 pm ET

Overview:
God created men to embrace life in the great outdoors. It’s a place where we often experience a closeness to God that can’t be found in our day-to-day world. That’s why we at Blueprint for Men are seeking to provide an increasing number of outdoor experiences for men like you!
If you’ve ever wanted to experience rock climbing with your family but needed someone to show you the ropes, this is the perfect opportunity. We will provide you with the equipment, training, and guidance to climb some easy sport routes at some sandstone crags.
The day will consist of a nice balance of instruction, involvement, and interaction. We will have a selection of climbing opportunities for varying levels of ability. The day will be targeted for first time climbers who want to see if this is something they might enjoy.
Registration:
Registration deadline is April 24
REGISTER HERE

Climbing Location:
Cherokee Rock Village (Sand Rock), Alabama

Overview:

Sand Rock is an excellent destination for climbers at any skill level. Its free-standing pinnacles offer an amazing variety of climbing, ranging from easy toprope jugfests, to crimpy face routes, to fine crack lines. Sport routes run side-by-side with tough trad climbs. Beginners can get easy access to set up topropes, and there’s a plethora of good bouldering problems. And the many different areas are spread out enough that you can almost always find a place that isn’t crowded. The approach is one of the shortest and easiest in the south — walk about 100 feet from your car and you’ll find yourself at the Pinnacle or Holiday Block.

Details:

Mountain Project webpage info HERE

Schedule:
Note – All times are in Eastern Time
8:00 am – Meet-Up

Meet at The Outpost (Blueprint for Men Headquarters)
Address is 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN
Orientation, introductions, and short devotional

8:30 am – Driving

Drive/Carpool to Cherokee Rock Village (Sand Rock), Alabama
Address is 2000 County Rd 70, Leesburg, AL
Location is in the Central Time Zone

10:30 am – Climbing

Short hike to the cliffs and climbing routes.
Climbing basics, gear use, safety, etc. Start climbing!
We will set-up several climbs from very easy to more challenging.
When not climbing you are free to explore and boulder… but be careful.
Close out the climbing day with a debrief and prayer of blessing.

4:00 pm – Driving
6:00 pm – Home

Waiver
All climbers must complete and submit the online waiver to be able to climb. Parents can fill out a waiver for minors.

Trip Leaders
Doug Brown, Ph.D.
Doug is a seasoned outdoorsman who has a long resume of climbing, whitewater, and backcountry adventures throughout the United States and beyond. He is a certified rock climbing instructor with the American Mountain Guide Association and a Wilderness First Responder.
Jeremiah Curda
Jeremiah is an avid outdoorsman whose resume includes everything from rock climbing to skydiving instructor. With a background of over 15 years of 911 EMS experience including, ground transport, critical care transport and flight paramedic he brings a high level of expertise and skills.
Contact: 817-298-1520
Alex Swafford
Alex has been climbing the sandstone crags of Tennessee and Alabama since his teenage years and is passionate about sharing his love of climbing with beginners.
Contact: 932-698-0278

Climbing Gear

Provided

Shared climbing gear such as ropes, anchors, belay devices, etc.
Individual harnesses, helmets, and rock shoes in limited sizes.
If you can borrow or buys rock climbing shoes that would be great!

Personal Items

Small Backpack
Clothing – weather appropriate clothing and trail shoes
Energy – sack lunch, snacks
Hydration – 2-3 L of water
Small first-aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, cap
Attitude – bring your positive adventurous attitude!

Pretrip Meeting

Prior to our departure to Sand Rock we will have a required pre-trip meeting at The Outpost. Our goal is to answer all your questions and prepare you to be comfortable with being uncomfortable!

Consent Form

All participants must complete and sign this consent form. Bring this to our pre-trip meeting.
Download HERE

Cost
Although there is no charge for this trip please consider making a donation to this ministry. Thank you!
DONATE HERE

ROCK CLIMBING @ FOSTER FALLS
2026-05-17 08:00 - 18:00 | WY
Rock Climbing @ Foster Falls
Sunday, May 17, 2026
8:00 am – 4:00 pm ET

Overview:
God created men to embrace life in the great outdoors. It’s a place where we often experience a closeness to God that can’t be found in our day-to-day world. That’s why we at Blueprint for Men are seeking to provide an increasing number of outdoor experiences for men like you!
If you’ve ever wanted to experience rock climbing with your family but needed someone to show you the ropes, this is the perfect opportunity. We will provide you with the equipment, training, and guidance to climb some easy sport routes at some sandstone crags.
The day will consist of a nice balance of instruction, involvement, and interaction. We will have a selection of climbing opportunities for varying levels of ability. The day will be targeted for first time climbers who want to see if this is something they might enjoy.

Climbing Location:
Foster Falls, Tennessee

Overview:

Foster Falls is a major destination for sport climbing in the south. Near the town of Jasper (just west of Chattanooga), it features high-quality sandstone and challenging climbing in a pleasant locale. Though you might want to stay away in the hottest or coldest seasons, Foster’s season is pretty much year-round.

Details:

Mountain Project webpage info HERE

Schedule:
Note – All times are in Eastern Time
8:00 am – Meet-Up

Meet at The Outpost (Blueprint for Men Headquarters)
Address is 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN
Orientation, introductions, and short devotional

8:30 am – Driving

Drive/Carpool to Foster Falls
Address is 498 Foster Falls Rd, Sequatchie, TN
Location is in the Central Time Zone

9:30 am – Climbing

Short hike to the cliffs and climbing routes.
Climbing basics, gear use, safety, etc. Start climbing!
We will set-up several climbs from very easy to more challenging.
When not climbing you are free to explore and boulder… but be careful.
Close out the climbing day with a debrief and prayer of blessing.

3:00 pm – Driving
4:00 pm – Home

Register Here

Forms
All climbers must complete and submit the online waiver to be able to climb. Parents can fill out a waiver for minors.

Trip Leaders
Doug Brown, Ph.D.
Doug is a seasoned outdoorsman who has a long resume of climbing, whitewater, and backcountry adventures throughout the United States and beyond. He is a certified rock climbing instructor with the American Mountain Guide Association and a Wilderness First Responder.
Jeremiah Curda
Jeremiah is an avid outdoorsman whose resume includes everything from rock climbing to skydiving instructor. With a background of over 15 years of 911 EMS experience including, ground transport, critical care transport and flight paramedic he brings a high level of expertise and skills.
Alex Swafford
Alex has been climbing the sandstone crags of Tennessee and Alabama since his teenage years and is passionate about sharing his love of climbing with beginners.
Contact: 932-698-0278

Climbing Gear

Provided

Shared climbing gear such as ropes, anchors, belay devices, etc.
Individual harnesses, helmets, and rock shoes in limited sizes.

Personal Items

Small Backpack
Clothing – weather appropriate clothing and trail shoes
Energy – sack lunch, snacks
Hydration – 2-3 L of water
Small first-aid kit, sunscreen, sunglasses, cap
Attitude – bring your positive adventurous attitude!

Cost
Although there is no charge for this trip please consider making a donation to this ministry. Thank you!
DONATE HERE

ROCK CLIMBING/ Sunset Rock
2026-06-14 09:00 - 17:00 | The Outpost, 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN, United States
Sunset Rock Climbing Adventure | Lookout Mountain
Ready for an unforgettable day of adventure, challenge, fellowship, and incredible views? Join us for another amazing rock climbing outing at the legendary Sunset Rock overlooking the Chattanooga valley.
Whether you’ve never touched a climbing rope before or you’re an experienced trad climber looking for a classic challenge, Sunset Rock has something for everyone. From beginner-friendly routes like One-Ten to technical test pieces like Jennifer’s World, this area offers some of the best traditional climbing in the Southeast. There’s also plenty of top-rope climbing available for those who are new to leading or simply want to enjoy the experience safely.
What to Expect

Guided and coached climbing experience
Beginner-friendly instruction and safety orientation
Devotional and group icebreaker before climbing
Incredible mountain views and outdoor fellowship
Opportunities for both first-timers and experienced climbers

No experience is necessary. We provide all appropriate safety gear and coaching throughout the day. We do have a limited number of climbing shoes available to borrow, but we highly recommend bringing your own if possible.
Important Information

Meet Location: The Outpost 5050 Layton Lane Apison TN 37302
Meet Time: 9:00 AM Eastern Time
End Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Transportation: We will complete waivers and carpool to the climbing site together
What to Bring: Snacks, hydration, comfortable outdoor clothing, shoes for hiking and climbing shoes if you have them

Please note:Sunset Rock is a traditional climbing area with a strict ban on fixed protection, so there is no sport climbing available at this location.
Registration Required
TO REGISTER PLEASE CLICK HERE

We’re looking forward to another great day outdoors filled with adventure, encouragement, and good company. Come push your limits, learn new skills, and enjoy one of the best climbing views in Tennessee.
MOUNTAIN PROJECT INFO
Rock Climbing in Sunset Rock, Sunset Park
MEET YOUR TRIP LEADERS

Doug Brown, Ph.D.
Doug is a seasoned outdoorsman who has a long resume of climbing, whitewater, and backcountry adventures throughout the United States and beyond. He is a certified rock climbing instructor with the American Mountain Guide Association and a Wilderness First Responder.
Jeremiah Curda
Jeremiah is an avid outdoorsman whose resume includes everything from rock climbing to skydiving instructor. With a background of over 15 years of 911 EMS experience including, ground transport, critical care transport and flight paramedic he brings a high level of expertise and skills.
Alex Swafford
Alex has been climbing the sandstone crags of Tennessee and Alabama since his teenage years and is passionate about sharing his love of climbing with beginners.

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Paddling the South Chickamauga Creek
2026-06-27 | 5050 Layton, 5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN, 37302-9513, United States
Step away from the noise and get out into God’s creation with a group of men committed to growth, challenge, and brotherhood.

BRIEFING:

We’ll kick things off with a short devotional, followed by a mandatory safety and logistics briefing. Then we gear up, load out, and roll at 2:15 PM sharp to the put-in location.
Once we launch, expect a ~4-hour paddle through scenic waterways surrounded by local wildlife and natural beauty. This isn’t just a float—it’s time to reset, sharpen your mindset, and build real connections with other men.
We operate as a team, and every man needs to be prepared and aligned before we hit the water. Put-in and take-out locations will be shared during the briefing.
No briefing = no paddle

ITINERARY:

1:30 pm Trip Briefing @ The Outpost (5050 Layton Lane, Apison, TN)

Devotional
Safety
Logistics

2:15 pm Drive to Boat Launch
3:00 pm Boat Launch
7:00 pm Take Out & Head Home
8:00 pm Arrive back Home

WHAT TO BRING:

Kayak, Paddles, PFD (life jacket) – these are provided!
Sunscreen
Hat
Towel
Snacks
Phone (waterproof bag)

RSVP:

Text either of the trip leaders to reserve your spot! Space is limited to 10 people so don’t delay.

Jeremiah Curda (817) 298 1520
Jacob Carvalho (707) 490 5313

MORE INFO:

Paddle South Chickamauga Creek – Chattanooga Audubon Society

Father-Son Rite of Passage
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-26 | Wind River Range, WY, Boulder, WY, 82923, United States
The Father-Son Rite of Passage is a 7-day backpacking trip in one of the most stunning sections of the Rocky Mountains, the Wind River Range of Wyoming. The purpose of this trek is not to see how fast we can go but how deep we can go, so most days are fairly short in distance but long in meaningful experiences. During our time together you will not only strengthen your outdoor skills and nature knowledge but you will also be challenged to go deeper with God, yourself, and others. Plus you will have a special bonding experience with your son(s) that will last a life-time. Be prepared to be stretched in every way… but we’ll have fun doing it!

OVERVIEW

WHEN: July 19-26, 2026
WHO: Fathers and their sons (ages 13+)
WHAT: Backpacking, nature study, outdoor leadership, walking with God
WHERE: Big Sandy Trailhead, Wind River Range, WY
PROVIDED: Trip leadership, naturalist education, spiritual guidance, etc.
BRING: You are responsible for your own camping equipment
COST: $300 per dad. This helps cover our shared expenses.
SIGN-UP DEADLINE: April 30, 2026 or until filled!

REGISTER HERE

ITINERARY

Sun, July 19 – Travel Day
Mon, July 20 – Hike from trailhead to Big Sandy Lake
Tue, July 21 – Day hike to Cirque of the Towers
Wed, July 22 – Hike to Clear Lake
Thu, July 23 – Climb Haystack Mountain
Fri, July 24 – Climb East Temple Peak
Sat, July 25 – Rest and Renewal
Sun, July 26 – Exit Wilderness & Ceremony
Mon, July 27 – Travel Day

TIMELINE

Now – Register
Now – Acquire gear
Now – Begin physical training
Now – Read “Manhood Rites and Blessings”
Now – Begin the “Adulting Challenge Blueprint”
May 12 – Zoom Meeting #1 @ 8:00 pm ET – link
June 2 – Zoom Meeting #2 @ 8:00 pm ET – link
July 6 – Zoom Meeting #3 @ 8:00 pm ET – link

LEADERSHIP

Marty Miller, M.S. Ed.
Marty is gifted at discovering and sharing spiritual lessons from nature, God’s second book, as modeled by Jesus Christ, the master educator. He is an experienced outdoorsman with skills and certifications that include WMI/NOLS Wilderness First Responder, ACA Swift Water Rescue, and AIARE Avalanche Safety. Marty and his wife Gale have two adult children and 6 grandchildren. Life is good!

Email – marty@blueprintformen.org
Phone – 423-322-8491

Jeremiah Curda, CCP/FPC
Jeremiah is an avid outdoorsman whose resume includes everything from rock climbing to skydiving instructor. With a background of over 15 years of 911 EMS experience including, ground transport, critical care transport and flight paramedic he brings a high level of expertise and skills to our outdoor leadership team. Jeremiah is passionate about sharing his love for God through community outreach, homeless ministry, and outdoor adventure. His high energy and skills are indispensable to the success of our expedition!

TRIP PREPARATION

Info Packet: 2026 Rite of Passage Expedition

SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES

Manhood Rites and Blessings
The Adulting Challenge Blueprint
