In a show of solidarity for our six City Dads Group members walking across England to aid a camp for the children of cancer patients, three of our chapters are holding local fundraising walks July 12.

Our Chicago, Detroit and New York City outposts are rallying fathers in their areas to help with the $1,000 contribution City Dads Group has pledged that day as a sponsor of the week-long Dads4Kesem hike in the UK. That walk aims to raise $40,000 for Camp Kesem, a nonprofit that offer free summer camps and other events for the 3 million children nationwide affected by a parent battling cancer.

Twelve dad bloggers are walking along northern England’s Hadrian’s Wall, a 84-mile fortification built in the first century A.D. that once marked the northernmost point of the Roman Empire. The goal of the July 10-16 journey is raise money to open a Camp Kesem chapter on the campus at the University of Maryland, which is near the home of fellow dad blogger Oren Miller.

Miller, a University of Maryland grad who died from lung cancer last year, chronicled his life as a stay-at-home dad online, using the platform to take on fatherhood stereotypes and pushing for fathers to be viewed as equal parental partners.

The six City Dads participating in the July 10-16 walk are:

• Chris Routly, Portland Dads Group, of The Full Routly
• Michael Moebes, Atlanta Dads Group, of Dadcation
• Whit Honea, L.A. Dads Group and City Dads Group columnist, of Dads4Change
• Jim Higley, Chicago Dads Group, of Bobblehead Dad. He is also the chief development and marketing officer for Camp Kesem.
• Jason Greene, NYC Dads Group, of One Good Dad
• Jeff Bogle, Philly Dads Group, of Out With the Kids

They will be joined by:

• Brent Almond of Designer Daddy
• Phil Corless of Idaho Dad
• Doug French of Dad 2.0 Summit
• Josh Misner of Mindful Dad
• John Pacini of Dad 2.0 Summit
• Brian Reasoner of Southern Bella’s Big Daddy

We asked some of our City Dads Group members to reflect on what they took away from attending the recent fifth annual Dad 2.0 Summit in Washington, D.C. Here are a few of their thoughts: 

Kevin “Spike” Zelenka, Las Vegas Dads Group

I’ve been to dad conventions, and I’ve been to blog conferences. The Dad 2.0 Summit was the first event I’ve ever attended that really met the need of who I am: a blogger and a parent. I can’t stop talking about the opening and closing keynotes. They both really spoke to me as a father, and in different ways. The other programming I attended had a blog focus, and I learned a ton that I couldn’t wait to implement once I returned home. The fact that they have found such a magical combination in only five years existence is incredible, and I’ve already bought my ticket for next year.

Adam Gertsacov, Chicago Dads Group

There were lots of … great things, and lots of great content, but for me, the No. 1 reason I keep on coming is the community. Being in a community of these great dads (many of whom are also great writers and raconteurs) is just plain exhilarating. As a dad, you have your wife as a person to talk with, but she’s your wife. You are related to her.

Having colleagues — work friends, if you will — with whom I can just hang out with for a few days, talk about parenting, and comic books, and make slightly obscure references to obscurer movies and books, and even on occasion talk about our hopes and dreams — this is why I want to come back to Dad 2.0

— Read Adam’s complete thoughts on his blog, Dadapalooza

Niel Vuolo, NYC Dads Group

Dad 2.0 — Was about connecting dads with brands. … about fellowship, community and trying new things. … about meeting new friends and reconnecting with old ones (even old friends who ended up getting carded at the bar!). … It was also about sharing ideas and inspiration. I can’t wait to attack this year and be more extraordinary when I get to Dad 2.0 in 2017.

— Read Niel’s complete thoughts on his blog, Great Moments in Bad Parenting

Jay Wisniewski, Detroit Dads Group

Honesty. It flows throughout the halls and ballrooms once the summit has taken up its residency. At times you will feel more comfortable talking to a random group of dads that you’ve stumbled upon than you’ve felt talking to your friend back home. It almost comes naturally because somewhere in its five years of life the creators of the Dad 2.0 Summit have fostered the growth of a collective of fathers that celebrates the successes of one another, provides wisdom through their struggles and failures, but most of all, never falters on their dedication to honesty. There are no perfect dads and when you spend your days and nights with these men, you come realize that’s totally OK.

— Read Jay’s complete thoughts on his blog, Inked Up Dad

Creed Anthony, Indianapolis Dads Group

Editor’s Note: Creed wrote this as a letter to the late Oren Miller.

I imagined you watching and listening as so many new voices were added to the collective voice. Men who weren’t shy about their love and involvement with their children. Women who supported the cause and played a role in helping to change the image of modern fatherhood.

I imagined you roaming the streets of D.C. with some of us, with your chin high, and that kind, gentle grin you always wore and realizing that the power of change isn’t simply found in the offices of the elected, but in the blogs, playrooms, kitchens, and carpools of the men and women in attendance.

— Read Creed’s complete thoughts on his blog, Tales From the Poop Deck

Victor Aragon, Chicago Dads Group

This was my second time going to Dad 2.0 and as much as it felt like my second home, I still felt out of place. I felt like the little brother that was trying to hang out with his bigger brothers and was accepted by all. I had a few people pull me to the side and ask me about my family and about post I wrote. It felt good to know that someone, other than myself, was reading my stuff and that it actually moved them.

Lance Somerfeld, NYC Dads Group

The fifth annual Dad 2.0 Summit was my favorite one yet. Dad 2.0 is a ripe opportunity for dads and dad bloggers to escape from hiding behind their computers and meet talented and caring dads face-to-face. A highlight for me was hosting a City Dads Group team meeting (photo at top) and being surrounded by over 40 organizers, active members and blog contributors. Community, family, friendship and beyond!

Another highlight for me was taking advantage of a little “me time” which is rare since the birth of our daughter 10 months ago. Strolling through the Capitol at night with a few good friends and admiring the world-renowned landmarks was a magnificent experience as was relaxing in a barber’s chair and receiving a professional shave in the Dove Men+Care suite.

Dave Lesser, NYC Dads Group

A lot Dad 2.016 recaps will probably mention the inaugural DadSLAM, a Moth-style public reading of blog posts. My roommate John Kinnear hosted the event to high acclaim. John read a hilarious article about his kid pooping in the McDonald’s ball pit and another guy read a different hilarious story about poop. Some stories left the room in nods and tears and not all of the essays were about accidental defecation. I don’t think. I’m actually not sure, since I didn’t go. It was an after-hours event and I went down to the room where it was being held to make sure someone showed up for John. The room, packed with attendees, was stuffy and warm, and there was no booze, so I quietly left. What can I say, sometimes I’m too big an asshole to let the transcendent moments happen.

— Read Dave’s complete thoughts on his blog, Amateur Idiot/Professional Dad

Scott Posey, Baltimore Dads Group

The Dad 2.0 conference is … a meeting of minds to discuss modern fatherhood as it is portrayed in the media and in everyday life. This conversation takes place with a lot of the big movers and shakers of the entertainment [and retail] worlds and has the power to truly initiate change. There were big brand names here like Lego, Dove Men+Care, Kia, Esquire, and Lee (among others). These are brands that see a passion for fatherhood being championed across all corners of the web and are coming out to say that they not only agree, but support our movement. Panels were held to discuss the ever changing role of fatherhood as it corresponds to the workplace (something I’m very passionate about) and how people are fighting the good fight daily to ensure that parental leave is not only a right but one that is taken without fear of career suicide. Everywhere you looked this weekend, you could see this desire to better oneself as a father but also on a larger scale for all fathers across the world.

The other reason I wanted to attend the conference was to meet all of the fellow dads who I have talked with, shared stories with, and grew with as a father [online]. … It was amazing seeing and talking to these guys whose work I have read and been affected by since having my son. …  Attending a summit to help advance fatherhood is a great reason to attend, but hanging out with your friends and forming relationships in person is a close second.

— Read Scott’s complete thoughts on his blog, Father Nerds Best

 Carter Gaddis, City Dads Group columnist

I found a large, passionate, talented group of men and women who shared my interests and — incredibly, to me — seemed to care what I thought and wrote. The Dad 2.0 mission of bringing brands together with fathers of the Internet is great, of course. It’s been a privilege to work with companies that understand the importance of shattering the tired stereotype of the aloof, goofball dad so often portrayed in ads, movies and TV shows over the years. The networking is great, but I will always go back to the Dad 2.0 Summit because of the sense of renewal it provides. It is a reunion with my “tribe,” a chance to rejuvenate, a source of energy throughout the rest of the year. I’ve been to other social media conferences, and they were great. This one? This one is home.

— Read Carter’s complete thoughts on his blog, Carter Gaddis, Writer

Nick Browne and Benjamin Muller, Philadelphia Dads Group

This weekend, we spent four days in Washington, D.C. for the Dad 2.0 Summit. And in a few words: IT WAS AMAZING. Honestly, so many great people came together to put together a truly inspiring event. For details, listen to their Poppin’ Bottles podcast.

Want more? Read what our New York City members had to say on the NYC Dads Group blog. 

Detroit has become the 18th and latest metropolitan area to join the City Dads Group network of social and support groups for fathers of all walks of life.

At the helm of our Motor City outpost are area residents Brian Manninen and Nick Edwards.

Matt Schneider, co-founder of City Dads Group, said, “Many dads have inquired about a group in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area, so I’m glad we have some guys who have stepped up. Nick and Brian are going to make a great team as they create a diverse community of dads, online and off.”

Find the Detroit Dads Group on:

• Meetup (go here to join)
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

Manninen, 35, a father of two boys ages 3 and 6, comes from a family of educators. “I’m a teacher and the extended time off was a factor when choosing my career so I could be an active dad …  when my ‘hoped for children’ would be off for their school vacations,” he said.

“I’ve spent enough summers isolated from other adults so a few months ago I took serious action to see what I could plan ahead for. All of that research lead me to City Dads,” Manninen said, adding he looked  forward to connecting with other dads who have similar extended time with their children during the summer weekdays.

Edwards, 31, is father to two daughters ages 2 and 8 months. He a full-time controls engineer who uses his blog The Dadcade to review editorials and new offerings from the gaming and tech industry from a father’s perspective.

“We have (focused on gaming issues) like screen time, what video games can teach you, and violence and misogyny,” Edwards said.

City Dads Group is a dynamic and diverse community of fathers redefining, by example, what it means to be a dad in the 21st century. The year-old organization has group based in and around 18 major metropolitan U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Dallas and San Francisco.

Founded in November 2008 in New York City as a way a handful of fathers could arrange playdates and outings with their children, the organization went national in 2014. City Dads Group nearly 4,000 members who bond over their children and a desire to change the face of modern fatherhood through word, deed, and example.