MROP 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
PROGRAM BEGINS
Wednesday September 16, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Important—Participants should check in between 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
PROGRAM ENDS
Sunday September 20, 2020at 3:00 pm
It is extremely important that you stay for the entirety of the program so that you are able to give yourself to—and reap the benefits of—the full experience of reflections and continued self-development that the MROP offers.
VENUE
Johnsonburg Retreat Center
822 Country Rd 519
Johnsonburg, NJ, 07825 US
Phone: (908) 852-2349
TRAVEL AND LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Click here for driving directions to Shrine Mont Retreat and Conference Center.
The nearest airport is Newark International Airport (EWR) which is 54 miles (about one hour driving time) to Johnsonburg.
In order to participate in the entire event, please schedule your arrival time for registration between 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm on Wednesday September 16, 2026, and to accommodate your departure from Johnsonburg after 3:00 pm on Sunday September 20, 2026.
Depending on the number of men who need ground transportation from the airport and back, we can help arrange transportation for you, which may include coordinating a rendezvous time/place and car rental carpool with other men who will be arriving/departing from Dulles, or arranging for a local man to meet you at the airport. You will be expected to contribute your share to the cost of rental and gas.
ACCOMMODATIONS
The MROP is, in part, a wilderness experience. The Johnsonburg Retreat Center accommodations are cabins that hold 6-10 men. All accommodations are rustic, but have electric and nearby access to water, showers, and toilets. Participants are expected to provide their own sleeping bag, pillow and personal linens (washcloth, towel, sheets, etc.).
WHAT IS WEATHER LIKE AT Shrine mont in september?
Johnsonburg Retreat Center is located in northwestern New Jersey. September weather typically averages mid-70s in the day and mid to high-50s at night, but can be a little lower and higher during the day. Plan accordingly. You will need a jacket, long pants, and perhaps a sweatshirt or heavy sweater.
PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS
You will be given a window of approximately 12 hours for a solo experience (Saturday early-morning to Saturday early-evening), during which time, you will be asked to fast (unless medical conditions preclude it).
ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATION
The total fee is $850.00 which will help to cover the cost of the core MROP expenses.
A deposit of $250 is required with your registration, with the balance by August 15, 2024. The deposit will be returned if you are not accepted. Limited scholarship assistance is available on request. You can request a scholarship online. Contact John Ball, 240-434-2998, or johnball0450@gmail.com, if you have questions about scholarships.
You can make your deposit online using secure credit card processing or by check payable to ILLUMAN DC in the amount of $250 and sent to Post Office Box 68, Hyattsville, MD 20781.
APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE
You will be asked to fill out an Application Form, a Confidential Health Questionnaire, a Medical Emergency Contact Form, and a Participant Release Agreement, and a Payment/Transportation Form. Your application will be reviewed by our registration team, and a team member will contact you by email to set up a day/time for a Zoom or FaceTime video call interview. The purpose of the interview is to review your application, clarify your expectation and ours, and to answer any questions your may have regarding the MROP. Our leadership team will notify all applicants, and men whose applications are accepted and will be provided with additional information to help prepare for the MROP event.
QUESTIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact John Ball at 240-434-2998 or johnball0450@gmail.com.