Walking With You Through Life’s Transitions

Our Purpose

Animate Mentoring guides individuals and families so they can navigate life's transitions intentionally with wisdom and courage.

Mentorship has always been at the heart of Dan Davis’ work.

After three decades of leading in the professional camping industry, Dan developed a keen sense of how important the relationship with a trusted mentor is. He saw firsthand how our modern society neglects mentoring through life’s most significant transitions, leaving many people lost and isolated.

In 2020, Dan took a leap and launched Animate Mentoring so he and other team members can serve as guides through the stages of adolescence, parenthood, and mid-life passage, and provide direction and support so relationships can flourish as life changes over time.

Read Our Story

How We Walk Through Life Transitions

  • Compass Representing Men's Work Mentorship

    Men's Mentorship

    We facilitate mentorship for men ages 22 to 94.

    Through intentional connection and a structured program, men who are part of our mentorship offerings gain greater clarity, deepen relationships, and reorient their lives toward what is most important.

    Some of our Men’s Work offerings include: One on One Mentorship, Overnight Wilderness Walks, Mid-Life Passage, and Book Study/Backpacking Groups.

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  • Backpack Icon Representing Adolescence Mentoring

    Adolescence

    Is your son or daughter entering adolescence and asking the question, “Is this really what life is all about?”

    We begin our work with adolescents with a strengths assessment to help them better understand their identity and foundation, as well as recognizing what is no longer working for them. We clarify goals together, formulate a set of disciplines, and meet regularly as those disciplines are practiced.

    By communicating the successes and failures along the way, we work together to develop healthy habits and an intentional way forward into adulthood.

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  • Fire Icon Representing Parent Mentoring

    Parenthood

    Parenting can bring out the best, and possibly the worst, in us all.

    Birthing a child into the world taps into some of our deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities. In the midst of the whirlwind parenting often becomes, we remind parents of who they are and who they are created to be, so they can lead their families with intention.

    We equip parents with practical strategies for better family communication, and we provide guidance on how to develop healthy rhythms as a family.

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Our Process

  • If you are in a time of transition and sense the need to walk with someone on the journey, meet with an Animate mentor to determine whether or not we are a good fit to walk with you. We conduct a needs assessment to identify goals and design a process that is hopeful, clear, and has a beginning and an end.

  • Through a structured process, Animate walks with you through the transition. We conduct a strengths and challenges assessment, and then create a productive routine to focus the process of the work. We offer support as you integrate new insights and patterns into your life, keeping you on track toward reaching your goals.

  • All of life’s transitions come to an end. When you complete the transition, we honor that moment, reflect on the journey, and celebrate together.

  • Once you accomplish a task or complete a quest, the next question should always be, “How is this good news not only for you, but for your community as well?” Animate will help to answer that question and be an encouraging voice in making it happen.

Testimonials

  • “To have Dan as a mentor and guide on your personal journey is to have one of the rare few who truly understand how to navigate the challenges and triumphs of self-discovery and growth.”

    KIM AYCOCK

  • “Dan is a gifted storyteller and uses the power of story to illustrate new ideas, share a different perspective, or gently guide one to a spiritual insight. Dan has a listening ear and the gift of being present, which encourages us all to share our stories.”

    RALEIGH LANGLEY

  • “Dan understands the challenges men face in this demanding culture. His ability to passionately communicate through gospel story, music, and authentic words encourages me, inspires me, and even tests me.”

    TIMOTHY ROBERTS

  • “Dan Davis has been a fantastic mentor in my own Christian journey. Through our relationship I have discovered values that are true to who I am. He has shown me how I can make faith part of my life every day.”

    WILL CAMPBELL

  • “As a retreat leader, Dan is a creative and flexible thinker. He has a passion for learning and personal growth. He is one of those rare individuals who can integrate knowledge with humor, personal life experience, and the arts.”

    ST. FRANCIS EPISOPAL CHURCH, LOUISVILLE, KY

  • “Dan Davis has an amazing ability for connecting with people in an individual or group setting. He teaches with compassion, humor, and charisma while delivering a powerful message that brilliantly resonates as timely and spot-on.”

    MENTORING CLIENT

  • “Animate Mentoring has been integral to supporting our teenage son on his journey to manhood. Dan Davis is truly an inspirational leader - sharing biblical wisdom and guiding the discussion to help the participants be their best selves. He also gives each participant the opportunity to lead discussions - building leadership skills and allowing them to shine in an online format that is here to stay. We saw huge growth in the two years our son has been in the program - his confidence as well as his drive to succeed have grown exponentially. We look forward to seeing how he continues to mature and grow in these last two years in high school. Thank you, Dan."

    -Tracy Wallingford

Let’s Walk Together

If you are in a season of transition and want to explore what having a mentor could look like for you, reach out to us! We would be honored to walk with you.