Exploring the Timeless Charms of Galena Country

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of northwest Illinois lies Galena Country, a destination steeped in history, natural beauty, and small-town charm. From its well-preserved 19th-century buildings to its panoramic views of rolling hills and farmland, Galena Country offers a journey back in time, where every cobblestone street tells a story and every vista inspires wonder.

Begin your adventure by strolling through the historic streets of Galena, where you’ll encounter architectural marvels like the 1826 Dowling House and the Italianate Ulysses S. Grant Home, a testament to the town’s storied past. Venture to the outskirts, and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of three states from the vantage point of Horseshoe Mound, a serene spot steeped in ancient mystery.

But Galena Country is more than just a glimpse into the past; it’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and culture aficionados alike. Explore the rugged beauty of the Mississippi River, where you can embark on a variety of adventures, from kayaking and canoeing to birdwatching and fishing. Indulge your palate with the rich flavours of local cuisine, browse endless boutiques and shops featuring exquisite works of art from local artists, or soar the skies in a hot air balloon for a birds-eye view of the breathtaking landscape below.

No matter the season, Galena Country promises a year-round adventure, where every visit is an opportunity to create lasting memories and forge new connections. So pack your bags, hit the road, and embark on a journey into the heart of Galena Country, where the past meets the present, and every moment is filled with possibility. Head to visitgalena.org for more!

Embark on a Journey of Connection at Tacktics Galena

Tucked away amidst the rolling hills of Galena Country lies Tacktics Galena, a sanctuary for those seeking to deepen their connection with nature and themselves. Founded by Cathy and CJ, a dynamic mother-daughter duo, Tacktics Galena offers a transformative experience where horses become catalysts for personal growth and self-discovery.

Set against the backdrop of Cathy’s family farm, with its century-old barns and stunning views of the surrounding countryside, Tacktics Galena exudes a rustic charm that sets the perfect stage for unplugging and reconnecting with the natural world. Step into the arena, and you’ll be greeted by Cathy and CJ’s warm, friendly demeanour, instantly putting you at ease as you embark on a journey of exploration and self-discovery.

At Tacktics Galena, horses are more than just animals; they’re guides and companions on a journey of personal growth and self-awareness. Whether you’re interacting with the gentle 300lb minis or the majestic 1200lb Quarter Horses, each encounter offers a unique opportunity to forge a deeper connection with these magnificent creatures and, in turn, with yourself.

Through a series of curated events and activities, Cathy and CJ guide participants on a journey of self-discovery, using an international building block curriculum designed to foster personal growth and enhance life skills. Whether you’re joining an event in the corral with the minis, tackling a challenge, or participating in a team-building session, Tacktics Galena promises an experience unlike any other.

Your partnership as a mother-daughter duo is at the heart of Tacktics Galena. How does your familial bond influence the atmosphere and experience you create for guests at the retreat?

We’re definitely blessed to have the bond we do, and it really does enhance our business. A mother-daughter bond is special and unique to begin with but to be able to have that translate to being in business together is where it truly sparks.

As soon as you step onto Tacktics’ property, you’ll feel as though you’re being welcomed home. There’s an immediate sense of camaraderie and a feeling of familiarity. We share a sense of pride for the business, and a desire to share a remarkable experience with anyone who visits us.

We’re able to communicate and read each other easier and faster than just co-workers. This allows our operations to run smoothly and efficiently. It’s not just a job for us, it’s something we’ve built together and we work hard to create our vision for it every day!

Your location, nestled in the Driftless Region alongside the historic charm of Galena and the stunning vistas of the Mississippi River bluffs, undoubtedly adds a unique dimension to the Tacktics experience. How do you believe the natural surroundings enhance the impact and effectiveness of your retreats and events?

We absolutely love where we are located. Galena, Illinois, is a paradise in the Midwest USA. Shopping, historic charm, and an abundance of scenic outdoor activities give choices to our guests for what they can do outside of Tacktics. But, Tacktics itself is nestled on our private 200-acre property from which you can see the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Our exclusive location sets the foundation for growth. It fosters tranquility, mindfulness and awareness, and promotes the lost feelings of being unplugged, connected, and grounded. All of this is beneficial in delivering our retreats and events to their highest standard.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) has gained global recognition for its efficacy in personal and professional development. Can you elaborate on this methodology and how you incorporate it into the Tacktics Galena experience?

The EAL methodology bridges the parallels between people and horses. This applies to the perspective of individuals as well as groups. When we look at how horses naturally function in a healthy herd dynamic, we can apply certain aspects of it to ourselves and our groups/teams.

Safety for our people and our horses is always at the top of our priority, and through our skilful facilitation, we utilize obstacle courses to help the horses highlight specific objectives with the people. Thus, resulting in our guests always successfully meeting outcomes with lasting results, and having lots of fun in the process. This methodology is laced through all of our activities and events. It allows people to interact with horses at a very personalized level.

Cathy, as someone who grew up on the family farm, and CJ, having lived abroad for nearly two decades, how do your individual backgrounds and experiences complement each other in shaping the vision and direction of Tacktics Galena?

We’ve come full circle! The family farm in Galena has always been a special place, even while we were all living overseas in New Zealand and travelling to multiple places around the world. Since moving back to Galena, we have shared an appreciation for the beauty, history, and unique culture of this area. Our individual backgrounds collide in familiarity and familial respect.

Coming back and settling into the family roots of the farm has allowed us to truly appreciate the many cultures, countries, and life experiences we are blessed to have and inject them into our business today. In shaping the vision for Tacktics, we lean into this by creating a business that is dynamic, embracing each person’s uniqueness that walks onto our property, while our individual pasts continue to inspire us to preserve the rich history and unique beauty of our farm.

The stories of your 15 horses, all with their own journey of rescue and renewal, add a deeply personal touch to the Tacktics experience. How do you see these equine companions enriching the connection and relation between your guests and the retreat environment?

Connection and relationships are foundational in life, and it’s no secret horses are incredibly sentinel and emotional beings. Therefore, people will naturally identify with them and their stories. This undeniable horse/human connection that sparks at our retreats aids in enriching the guest’s experience on multiple levels. Through their bond, they form a trust and a partnership.

Pair this with our facilitation, and we have created a special environment in which our guests are comfortable to relax, focus on themselves, and grow. This is done in a unique, non-confrontational style by working alongside the equine companions at our beautiful location.

The name “Tacktics” cleverly combines “tack” and “tactics,” emphasizing the importance of both equipment and strategy in reaching success. How do you integrate this philosophy into the programs and workshops offered at Tacktics Galena, particularly in fostering emotional intelligence and mental tactics?

When people talk about “tactics”, the most common interpretation is one of physical training, strength training, weapons training, etc. While this is true, tactics by definition is an action or strategies planned to achieve a specific end. Each and every one of us has our default mental tactics, our strategy on how to communicate, problem solve, lead people, etc.

What we do is skills training. We take your toolkit of soft skills and challenge them in real time. Working alongside your equine partner, you will be able to utilize your default tactics, reevaluate them, adapt them, and proceed in order to reach success. We call this your emotional intelligence toolkit. We all have one that we use every day, in every interaction. Tacktics Galena offers an opportunity to redesign this toolkit and take it to the next level by using our certifications in Equine Assisted Learning and Emotional Intelligence coaching.

The upcoming “Golden Hooves” program for individuals aged 55+ sounds like a wonderful opportunity for self-reflection and growth. How do you tailor your programs to cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of different age groups and demographics?

Tailoring programs and retreats is where we can really express our certification and creativity in meeting objectives. We always start with the end goal in mind; what is the objective for the training, and who will be attending. Then, we work our way backwards as to how we can deliver this most effectively while creating a fun environment for the guests as well. The biggest difference is in the delivery of the courses on the day.

Our specialized facilitators are able to guide the guests and brief them in a way that applies to them specifically. Whether we are curating a program or retreat for the public or tailoring a custom one for a private group, we take all aspects into consideration in order to deliver a truly impactful experience for all attending.

Could you share with us how the combination of equine-assisted learning and insights from a global leadership coach & consultant come together to create a transformative experience for participants at the Lasting Leadership Retreat?

The Lasting Leadership Retreat follows a highly effective training structure of “Learn + Execute” Patrick R. Powaser, PhD (Founder & President of Gradient Coaching & Consulting), offers valuable insights on concepts and techniques in your leadership. Participants will attend his classroom training and complete specialized assessments and coaching. After the learn module, retreat participants proceed to the arena to execute.

Taking these abstract classroom theories of leadership, attendees join Tacktics in the arena with the horses to make the theories concrete. Guests will work to complete a course with their equine counterparts that will challenge them to utilize their leadership tactics and practice what was taught in the classroom. Set against the tranquil backdrop of nature, participants explore the complexities of effective leadership through these immersive experiences. The Lasting Leadership Retreat is a dynamic training retreat specifically created to promote lasting growth.

With corporate training courses becoming increasingly popular, how do you ensure that your equine-assisted programs offer a truly unique and impactful experience for companies seeking to enhance team dynamics and leadership skills?

Tacktics Galena stands out in our field due to our unique training style. We offer non-confrontational training to all members of your team. However, each member will have to be fully involved and present throughout the course, no matter what the objective. This alone will immediately impact a team’s dynamic.

When you arrive at Tacktics, your job title, your salary, and your workplace hierarchy, all dissipate. Although they will work in teams, our training directly enhances each individual’s skills, sharpening their mental tactics to better themselves and their team’s performance. This training style ensures an impactful experience that sparks growth at the moment and will continue to evolve once the team returns to their office. While horses are the catalyst of our training courses, you do not need to have any horse experience or knowledge to attend.

The Mini Experiences at Tacktics Galena offer a delightful opportunity for visitors to interact with your miniature horse herd. How do you see these experiences fostering a sense of connection and joy among participants of all ages?

The Mini Experiences are offered daily and are special interactions between guests and the miniature horse herd, including the miniature donkeys. It is very organic and authentic and is a rare opportunity for most. Guests enter into a small pasture where the minis live and can groom them as the mini horses roam and graze.

Our miniature horse herd welcomes everyone into the pasture. They are gentle creatures that love attention and are curious about people. Their non-threatening presence, affection, and friendly personality make any activity among them joyful. Like their larger counterparts, they too seek to connect with people in a very individual way with their overflowing personalities and affection.

As Tacktics Galena continues to grow and evolve, what exciting developments or expansions do you envision for the retreat in the coming years?

Tacktics will remain a dynamic and fluid business as we grow and develop. Being a mere 8-minute drive from downtown Galena, Tacktics will continue to run out of our historic family farm. We aim to expand our facility to accommodate simultaneous training courses around our property We also envision a larger team of certified facilitators, and would like to have a selection of on-site breakout options for retreat groups, in addition to our current offerings. We passionately believe Tacktics Galena has a bright future with our local, national, and global guests – all coming to a gem of a destination, that is Galena, Illinois, USA.

Visit tacktics-galena.com for more!