Servicing Ann Arbor , Pinckney, Saline, and the surrounding areas
TEXT TO BOOK +1.7345464040
The Retreat
JULY 10 -12, 2026
CPL CERTIFICATION, COMBAT AND WEAPONS TRAINING, SURVIVAL SKILLS
Step away from the noise and into a fully immersive training experience designed to sharpen your awareness, elevate your skillset, and reconnect you with the fundamentals of survival, movement, and self-reliance. The Great Lakes Combatives Retreat is a 3-day intensive set in the natural landscape of Northern Michigan, where modern self-defense meets primal skill development. This is not a casual getaway—it’s a deliberate environment built to challenge you physically, mentally, and tactically. Throughout the weekend, you will train across multiple domains of real-world preparedness:
- Tracking & Foraging – Develop environmental awareness and learn to read terrain, movement, and natural resources. Close Quarters Combat (CQC) – Apply reality-based self-defense principles rooted in efficiency and control.
- Knife Training – Understand offensive and defensive blade dynamics in close-range encounters.
- Michigan CPL Certification (Classroom + Range) – Gain critical firearms knowledge and practical application under professional instruction.
- Live Range Training– Build confidence, accuracy, and responsible weapon handling under real conditions.
Between training blocks, you’ll reset and connect through shared meals, fireside conversations, and live music—creating a balance between intensity and recovery. This retreat is designed for individuals who want more than just training. It’s for those who want to develop capability, confidence, and clarity under pressure. Whether you’re new to self-defense or looking to deepen your existing skills, you’ll leave with practical tools, refined awareness, and a stronger sense of personal agency. Train hard. Reset your mind. Build real capability.
The base cost for the three days is $300 with camping. Renting a yurt is first come first serve! They sleep 3 and bringing your own bedding is required.
The weekend schedule :
FRIDAY
4pm set-up/meet and greet
5pm-6pm tracking or foraging
6:15pm-Dinner around the fire /music
SATURDAY
7am-9am Breakfast available
9am-12pm classroom CPL with 20min break
12pm-1pm Lunch
1pm-2:30pm classroom CPL
2:45-3:45 tracking or foraging
4-5:30- knife training
5:45-6:45 dinner
7pm-8pm CQC
8pm-10pm music around the fire
SUNDAY
7am-9am breakfast available
9am-11:30 Range practice
12pm-1pm Lunch
1:30-3:30 Range practice
Things to bring :
Camping/sleeping equipment
Bug spray
Sun screen
Towels
Swimsuit
Water containers
Musical instruments
Something to takes notes with
Keep checking this list for updates!
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PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
(payment plans available)
MEAL PLANS ARE SOLD SEPERATELY
MEET YOUR TEAM
Taqqee Khabir
Taqqee Khabir
Taqqee Khabir
MARTIAL ARTS AND CPL INSTUCTOR
Taqqee Khabir is an esteemed international speaker, educator, instructor, life coach, and martial artist dedicated to empowering individuals through integrative movement, mobility, and mindfulness. With over a decade of experience, he is a respected authority in his field. Instructing through a trauma inform
MARTIAL ARTS AND CPL INSTUCTOR
Taqqee Khabir is an esteemed international speaker, educator, instructor, life coach, and martial artist dedicated to empowering individuals through integrative movement, mobility, and mindfulness. With over a decade of experience, he is a respected authority in his field. Instructing through a trauma informed lens, Taqqee utilizes martial arts and movement to uplift and heal students of all backgrounds.
As Michigan’s foremost certified Satria Silat Instructor and head coach of the United States Silat Association, (usasportsilat) Taqqee draws from a diverse background in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Hapkido, Silat, and Kali. Taqqee has facilitated enlightening self-defense workshops and speaking engagements for notable organizations, such as; Concordia University, Toyota, Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, U of M, EMU, Pengicon, and The Barre Code. These transformative experiences allow him to share his profound knowledge and practical expertise, equipping individuals with the essential skills to protect themselves and cultivate resilience in mind, body, and spirit, while promoting overall well-being.
Taqqee guides students in enhancing their self-defense capabilities while integrating martial arts and Satria Yoga postures. His approach fosters the healing of both physical and emotional bodies. With a strong commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment, Taqqee passionately inspires his students to embrace personal growth and empowerment.
Leah Kasle
Taqqee Khabir
Taqqee Khabir
EVENT COORDINATOR AND CATERER
Leah has been involved with catering and event planning her whole life. She has helped run her family's restaurants, The Kerry Town Bistro and Mercy's At The Belltower, along with planning several local events and fundraisers. Leah has experience cooking for groups of up to 100. With her cultural backgroun
EVENT COORDINATOR AND CATERER
Leah has been involved with catering and event planning her whole life. She has helped run her family's restaurants, The Kerry Town Bistro and Mercy's At The Belltower, along with planning several local events and fundraisers. Leah has experience cooking for groups of up to 100. With her cultural background being Burmese she brings a unique flair to most of her dishes. Leah also has over two decades of experience in therapeutic massage.
Her clinical experience includes working at the University of Michigan Spine Clinic, where she collaborated with physicians and rehabilitation specialists to support patients recovering from injury and chronic pain. Leah has provided therapeutic care to a wide range of clients—from professional athletes to individuals navigating post-surgical recovery.
James Burge
Taqqee Khabir
James Burge
TRACKER
James Burge has more than 40 years of experience bieng a martial artist and tracker. He studied tracking and wilderness survival for more than a decade under renowned tracker Tom Brown Jr. at The tracker school in New Jersey, where he completed the standard class all the way to expert Scout with awareness based philosophies in Apa
TRACKER
James Burge has more than 40 years of experience bieng a martial artist and tracker. He studied tracking and wilderness survival for more than a decade under renowned tracker Tom Brown Jr. at The tracker school in New Jersey, where he completed the standard class all the way to expert Scout with awareness based philosophies in Apache art of survival. As an instructor, James emphasized awareness, adaptability, and real word applications. His teaching bridges the world's combative and environmental understanding, empowering students to sharpen their preception, build confidence, and respond effectively under pressure. James is also a 4th degree black belt in Hakko Denshi Ryu and has 12 years of training and teaching experience in this style. He also trained and taught for 5 years at Brown's Institute of Martial Arts and 5 years training in Itte Tenshin Ryu sowrdsmanship. He also trained with Dan Inosanto (Eskrima and Jeet Kune Do) and with Maul Mornie (Silat Suffian Bela Diri) through seminars.
Ethan Conn
Naya Loftus
James Burge
FORAGING GUIDE
Ethan graduated from Michigan State University in Environmental Biology and Zoology. He is a naturalist at heart and a former biology and chemistry teacher, but his passion for 30 years has been botany. Ethan's extensive garden is used to feed himself and his family throughout the year. Whether it is a rental balcony or
FORAGING GUIDE
Ethan graduated from Michigan State University in Environmental Biology and Zoology. He is a naturalist at heart and a former biology and chemistry teacher, but his passion for 30 years has been botany. Ethan's extensive garden is used to feed himself and his family throughout the year. Whether it is a rental balcony or his own yard, Ethan finds a way to make it produce for his kitchen. He has worked at MSU in plant pathology and also fisheries and wildlife, identifying plants and birds in the field.
Naya Loftus
Naya Loftus
Naya Loftus
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Naya Loftus has been practicing music since the age of 3. Classically taught by her grandmother, Naya branched out to play rock, blues, and jazz. Her bands include Perfect Average and Let's Pretend. Naya plays the piano, trumpet, bass, guitar, and ukele. She started music and art clubs in highschool as well as starting
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Naya Loftus has been practicing music since the age of 3. Classically taught by her grandmother, Naya branched out to play rock, blues, and jazz. Her bands include Perfect Average and Let's Pretend. Naya plays the piano, trumpet, bass, guitar, and ukele. She started music and art clubs in highschool as well as starting Skyline's annual talent show. She preforms at local events such as Dexter Days, Chelsea Sights and Sounds, The Ann Arbor Art Fair, The Lavender Fest, and various neighborhood street parties. You can catch her at Zal Gaz Grotto and other local venues on a regular basis. Naya is currently studying at WCC for event planning.
Where you'll be staying
The Yurts
Hotels/Motels
The Yurts
There are three yurts on the property with one twin bed and two bunk beds in each. Bringing your own bedding is required. You can rent the whole thing for $85 per night or share with friends! If you would like to share but don't know anyone, let us know and will try to connect you with someone who would like to do the same! Go to this site for more pics and info!
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/45516545?source_impression_id=p3_1776014218_P3LX6iBOeNtnaZVw
Camping
Hotels/Motels
The Yurts
Bring your own tent and camping equipment for no extra cost.
Hotels/Motels
Hotels/Motels
Hotels/Motels
There are a few hotels 15 mins from the yurt camp. Check them out for a comfier stay!
We suggest https://tahquamenonsuites.com/
But there are several others in the area which start at about $150/night
you can bring your own food or purchase a meal plan
Meat Eaters Meal Plan $135
All meals can accommodate food allergies so please be sure to notify us in an email when registering.
Vegetarian Meal Plan $120
Please let us know of any food allergies by email when registering!