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Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

As a single staff member of one of the Events & Adventures clubhouses, I decided to do a bit of an experiment with myself. Like a lot of people, I’m a dating app user; as a person dating in the 21st century it often feels like there aren’t many other options. As a simultaneous member of Events & Adventures, I started to compare and contrast my experiences with my online relationships and the ones I was seeing develop at Events & Adventures.

I’ve been on the classic apps like Tinder and Bumble and have tried some of the more obscure apps like Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel. They each have different layouts and specialties that make them seem like lights at the end of a tunnel filled with fellow singles. In the end, each app seems to turn out to have a similar end: possible dates and little connection.

 

The Findings

Dating apps turned the very real and emotional experience of dating into a very numb and robotic game. I’ve found myself mindlessly swiping through people without even looking at them. The sensation of matching with someone seems to create more of an endorphin boost than an actual opportunity for a true connection.

I’ll never forget when I matched with a guy and mentioned meeting up for dinner with him pretty quickly, trying to bypass the small talk and make something out of a match that seemed promising. He agreed, we set a time and location. The next morning, he was gone. He deleted our match and seeing as that was the only form of contact I had with him, there was no way of getting in touch to see what happened.

The experience stung, but a part of me accepted it because we hadn’t even met. How could I hold this guy accountable when he was only a picture on a screen?

I’ve gone on my fair share of actual dates through these apps too. I’ve even been in short-term relationships with some of the men I’ve meet. The large majority of the time the connection I thought I had with these guys online didn’t come through in person. If we did actually have something in common, there seemed to be a pressure to put a definition on whatever we had right away, which ended up scaring one of us away. When you make dating the primary focus of any activity, there’s an expectation of trust and vulnerability almost instantly. How can you put that kind of pressure on someone you barely know?

Having heard friends express similar frustrations, I know I’m not alone in my dating app woes. I even hear us wondering aloud if there is something wrong with us because of our lack of success.

 

The Solution

Having experienced Events & Adventures for the last six months, I honestly believe it’s not us but the online dating system that’s to blame. Unlike the forced nature of online dating, Events & Adventures creates an organic environment for members to have fun being themselves.

Are you filled with random facts or a board game connoisseur? You can guarantee there’s a trivia or game night coming up with Events & Adventures. More of a sports fan? Every club has at least one viewing party or pickup game on the books. Are you a whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, or adrenaline junkie—or do you want to be? Events & Adventures has you covered there, too.

And the best part? Other people are doing all of these things with you. You’ll be able to build connections with people that have similar interests and have the opportunity to see these same people on a weekly, or even daily basis, without having to plan the get togethers yourself.

All of the romantic relationships I’ve seen develop between Events & Adventures members have come out of the weeks and months they have spent together at Events & Adventures events. When people have the chance to develop friendships, those friendships turn into trust, and that trust can very easily blossom into something more substantial like commitment and love.

Our members have the chance to cultivate relationships with each other without having to worry about defining their experiences, romantic or otherwise, because that’s not what Events & Adventures is about. Our goal is to help people live a life they love, and that definition is different for everyone.

As a self-proclaimed wallflower, I’ve really had the chance to soak up all of the wonderful benefits Events & Adventures provides its members. In a world so fueled by instant gratification, Events & Adventures slows things down and gives its members the change to enjoy their lives with friends, new and old. So why keep staring at a dating app filled with what-ifs and maybes and come have some promised fun with Events and Adventures? You never know where it might lead until you give it a try!

Minneapolis Singles Tackling the High Ropes Course

Tackling the Ropes Course with Events & Adventures Minneapolis

Testing our wits is something we get to do almost every day, whether it’s being a new member of Events and Adventures and going to our first event or tackling a high ropes course, which is what we did this past weekend!  Climbing ropes, walking across a single rope as we balance and focus on the platform ahead, rope ladders and swings HIGH above the ground… and as we ziplined off our last platform, we were relieved that we had finished and proud of what we accomplished!  Plus, we could finally “look down” without freaking out a bit!  Always an adventure with this group of singles!

 

Hiking To Beautiful Place With Events and Adventures Minneapolis!

Hiking

I love Saturday mornings when spending them with friends, enjoying the summer weather and what we have left of it!  We hiked in Taylor Falls Park today… well, hiked AND climbed I should say.  Most of the trails bring us to a boulder or two to climb up on and over to keep going on with our journey.  We even discovered things we haven’t seen before on the trails… devil’s cave, natural potholes carved into the rocks, and so much more.  We tried new trails, and even “off-roaded” a little… we crossed the border and went over to the Wisconsin side of the river and took in the views and trails from that side… most people we happy to cross back over to the Minnesota side… especially after seeing some Packer fans hiking as well.  So our “Welcome to Minnesota” sign pictures, were truly a relief (to some… I’m a Packer fan… SHHH don’t tell!)  After we crossed back over, we headed to this old-fashioned ice cream shop and rewarded ourselves for our accomplishments that morning!  We conquered our fears and met some new people… as we do every day as a part of E&A!

We Tried The New Sport of Foot Golf In Minneapolis!

Minneapolis singles playing Foot Golf

Events and Adventures Minneapolis had our first outing of Foot Golf this past weekend, the new sport that is “sweeping the nation”!  As we were waiting in the club house waiting for everyone to arrive, we were debating on if it’s still called a “tee time” or if it should be a “kick off” or “punt time”… as we split into teams and sent the first one off, we were figuring out our strategies and anxious to see what was in store for us.  The first group “kicked off” and we watched as they made their way closer to the 21 inch cup… We heard some cheers as a surprising kick went in along with some “Ahhhhh’s” when the ball didn’t go in… then it was our turn to try!  We each placed our ball on the tee box as it was out turn and made a running kick, much like the “Happy Gillmore” in the movie, just without a club!  And as we made our way through the course and laughed and cheered each other on, we realized at the end of the round, that it doesn’t matter what we do because we get to do it with friends!  AND something we normally wouldn’t have tried!  We can’t wait until our next round of Foot Golf!  FORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tackling the Rapids on the St Louis River!

Events and Adventures White Water Rafting

We had a chance to tackle the rapids on the St Louis River this past weekend!  We carpooled up north on 35W, just 15 miles shy of Duluth, and all met at our launch location in Cloquet.  We each had our own little adventures on the way up in anticipation of the big ones we would have in just a couple hours… when it was time to go, we all got our life jackets and a paddle and went to our assigned rafts… on the grass… hmmm what??  Ok, I guess they had to explain a few things before we went out on the water… probably a good thing!  Ha!  Then we finally got to set our rafts in the water and paddle out… practicing our together-ness with each stroke and getting the teamwork thing down.  When we finally got to the rapids, it was a shock of how warm the water actually was compared to the 68 degree air!  Some of us got soaked… ok, ALL of us got soaked with the waves spilling into and over our rafts, filling our rafts up to our seats with water… it’s like we were sitting in a pool!  But as soon as we paddled through that last rapid, it was all smiles and laughter and an accomplishment of no one actually falling OUT of their raft!  Anyone up for singing some “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in a round?  Good times as always with Events and Adventures!

We Made the Best of a Little Rain!

Singles playing in the Rain

What do you know Minneapolis Singles? It’s raining when we are supposed to have an outdoor event… but guess what?!  We at Events and Adventures make the best of it!  Instead of our “Outdoor Music In The Park” event tonight, we had to change it to a mingle at a local hangout instead due to rain… We can’t complain too much because the All-Star Home Run Derby was tonight as well… in the open stadium!  But as we hung out at Tugg’s on the Riverfront, watching the home-run derby inside out of the rain, we laughed and made some new friends!  And when it cleared up a little, we grabbed our umbrellas, put up our hoods and took a walk in the sprinkles along the Riverfront… splashing in puddles, ducking under someone else’s umbrella for some relief, and smiling for pictures by the Mississippi River dam despite the rain… and to top it off, we had a rainbow appear over our heads with one end landing in the water… we didn’t see a pot of gold, but we did have a fun adventure even if it wasn’t exactly what we had planned!  Another great night with E&A friends!

A Thanksgiving Potluck!

minneapolis thanksgiving

In preparation for the upcoming holiday, we have a pre-Thanksgiving potluck dinner. Each year I make not only a turkey, but also a ham (even though I’m not much of a ham fan), but most people are! We gather at the office and start snacking on the appetizers that were assigned per each members last names. Last year, we were lacking stuffing AND mashed potatoes, so I made sure this year that they were covered! We had some wonderful salads and awesome desserts to accompany our potluck meal! And the best part about it was the “together-ness” of sitting around a large dinner table all decorated up for the Thanksgiving Holiday, and toasting our friends to another great time together. I think for this Thanksgiving, we should be thankful that we have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends through E&A!

Cheers!

Megan Event Manager Minneapolis

Have You Ever Been Rock Climbing?

For me, this is only my second time, but it is one of the coolest things I’ve been able to try with E&A!  Our most recent event was cosmic style where we climbed to the beats of our favorite songs with glow-in-the-dark rocks and colors changing all around us.  Imagine this… strapping on your shoes and then tightening the straps on your harness, and walking up to the glowing rock wall… looking up… while the beat of the music is matching the beat of your pulsing nerves.  A 30 foot wall?  Looks like no big deal… until you get halfway up and you realize you’re officially off the ground… JUST DON’T LOOK DOWN!  And it’s not that I have a great fear of heights, it’s just something that I’m not used to!  Much like it is meeting new people… but once you control your breathing and focus on one step at a time, you are calm again.  And before you know it, you are at the top and rapelling down… You touch the ground and smile to yourself in victory!  This is something I never would have tried if it hadn’t been for E&A… I’m slowly getting over my fears of trying new things, but each time I do, I’m one step closer to finding myself, and who I truly am!  Now onto the 60 foot walls… NEXT TIME!!

Megan Event Manager Minneapolis

All Bundled Up For a Hayride!

Even after our first snowfall just a few days ago, our fall season is still upon us.  It’s kind of backwards, actually, the leaves are falling off of the trees on top of the snow on the ground.  But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the beautiful autumn weather for a hayride!  We climbed aboard the wagon all bundled up with our hats and mittens to brave the chill of the air.  The hot cocoa and cider definitely aided in our warming up as we rode along the trails.  All we could hear was the sound of the horses hooves hitting the ground as they walked and the slight breeze rustling through the trees.  We saw some deer that were definitely not afraid of us, as they just looked up and stared, then went back to munching on the tall grass along the trails.  We talked, we laughed, we huddled up for warmth… all as we took in the views of this beautiful clear night!  We arrived back at the stables just as the sun was setting and just in time for a bonfire!  Roasting smores and hot dogs was an added treat as we filled up our cups again with something hot!  Definitely a night to remember with our fellow E&A friends!

Megan Event Manager Minneapolis

Halloween Bash in Minneapolis

 Imagine walking into a room, full of dressed up fellow E&A members, whether it is your first event or your fiftieth… it has got to put a smile on your face!  From super original to super heroes, from scary to humorous, and everything in between!  Some had masks where you had to guess who it was, but eventually they would laugh or say something, and you’d have it figured out!  If this is your first event, it might take you a little longer, but that is what’s great about these big parties that E&A has every year… it’s an ice breaker in itself!  You all have something in common tonight… you’re all dressed up as someone other than yourself!  Tonight… you can be anyone you want to be!  This is a night where “nerds” get along with Gangsters, and flappers get along with ghosts, and a devil can sit on an angel’s lap… tonight… anything goes!  So whether you met someone new (or will have to re-meet them again, when they are out of costume) or got to catch up with someone you already knew, then mission accomplished!  All of you super heroes did your job and saved the night!  Especially on the dance floor!  Two words:  DANCE-OFF!  So until next year….

Megan Event Manager Minneapolis