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Dating App Experiment
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The Dating App Experiment

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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!

new resolutions group event with Events & Adventures
Vancouver

New Resolutions with Events & Adventures Vancouver

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It’s 2017, and a new year always brings new resolutions, goals, and visions to life.  But we should remember and celebrate the year that is behind us.  We had so many adventures and made so many new friends, and little by little we went out of our comfort zones to experience so many new things that we have never done before.

Even as event manager for Events & Adventures Vancouver, it was a year of many firsts.  In 2016, I experienced white water rafting, paddle boarding, and snorkeling with seals all for the first time, as well as my first salsa cruise, my first swing dance lesson, and my first camping experience in the US.  More importantly, there were many firsts for our great members.  Here are some of their favourite memories of 2016:

“My favourite activity this year was the camping trip at Concrete in May. There was a great group of people and great food. I couldn’t have asked for more—except to do that every weekend, since I’m hooked! There is not enough time to do everything, but 2017 is already off with a bang!” – JoAnne (member since May 2016)

“I can’t choose between the camping trip from the long weekend in September or the New Year’s party in Parksville. Both were amazing events. Overnights are the best because you get to socialize with people for longer periods of time and get to know them on a better level than the weekday events. I got to reconnect with people I know, as well as meet new members. The memories you create will last a life time. I’m looking forward to all the fun 2017 has to offer!” – Samantha (member since December 2015)

“One of my favourite events was Oktoberfest; I visited Munich long time ago and it has the same feel of being in Germany. I love beer and mingling with people so it’s a perfect night for me.” – Chantal (Member since August 2015)

So Let’s Welcome 2017 with New Resolutions!

It is a chapter that has yet to be written, a year full of things that yet to be experienced.  As the Event Manager in Vancouver, my new resolutions for 2017 are to create more events that you may have never heard of or done before, to create a bigger community through our Events & Adventures family, and to not look back at 2017 saying, “I wish”. I want to make everyone who walks into our home feel the sense of comfort and ease and experience a sense of adventure in their everyday lives.  Events & Adventures may be a singles club, but we are way more than that, as well.

Helen Keller once said, “Life is either a great adventure or nothing”, and I believe there is so much truth in that. My hope for you in 2017 is that you live, laugh, and experience many new things in the 12 chapters that make up 2017. Contact Events & Adventures if you want to learn how we do it!

~ Michelle, Event Manager for Events & Adventures Vancouver

Just another day at the office with Events and Adventures Vancouver….Kayaking!

September 11, 2014
vancouver singles kayaking

Just another day at the office with Events and Adventures at a truly amazing kayaking event at a little lake in the middle of Vancouver.  Despite major traffic and transit delays somehow every single member always has a great attitude and can’t wait to kayak to the middle of the lake and sit and chat for an hour.  Of course we have little races and get some exercise but it is really about the chats and companionship no matter how hard the day was.  We laugh and joke and then go out for some more at a nearby pub. It was a beautiful day and a splendid way to end it..with all of our E&A friends. 

 

 

Have You Ever Been Paragliding?

August 12, 2014
Paragliding with Events and Adventures

Last Sunday marked a milestone for a small group of member’s from our Events and Adventures Vancouver when we went Paragliding.  Despite waiting for the clouds to dissipate while building anticipation, we all got to run off a perfectly good mountain, to soar like eagles.  It’s pretty amazing getting to see people burst through personal boundaries and see them do things they never thought they would ever be able to.  Standing atop Mt Woodside on the weekend, and waiting for those perfect winds, we all did just that.  The last two flights of the day weren’t the most perfect landings, but we made it, and flying over the Fraser river and taking in the sights, even doing some crazy aerobatics, made the day all worth it.  I can’t wait to fly again with my single friends at Events and Adventures! 

Another Beautiful Singles Hike in Vancouver!

July 30, 2014
Another Beautiful Hike!

Just last weekend some of our Events and Adventures Singles got a beautiful Hiking bug up to the top of Chief Mountain in Squamish. They braved the giant granite rock and even a downpour of rain but the views at the top were a remarkable reward for the time investment. The fun part starts about halfway to the peak when some of them stopped having to huff and puff.  Looking around at the beautiful surroundings of the beautiful forest only took their breath away again.  They ended up about 4 hour round trip with quite a few photo stops and a pretty solid lunch break on the top of the peak, just a  great time spent with friends to make you realize how amazing our Province really is. Beautiful BC!

Crazy Chilliwack Weekend Rafting with our Vancouver and Seattle Clubs!

July 22, 2014
Crazy Chilliwack Weekend

Ready to ramp it up Vancouver and Seattle Singles!!! Our overnight camping along the Chilliwack river was fun. Enjoying tasty meals, campfire and camaraderie was terrific . On the Chilliwack Classic , you always have the option to walk around the biggest rapids. The Chilliwack Canyon is 14 km of nonstop Mild action ( Classic ) or the Extreme rafters with its monster rapid waves for hard core rafters. So many ways to get wet and have fun. Of course we needed to camp overnight and get our party on after a hard day on the river, so why not have a Toga party?  We weren’t the only ones camping over so there was lots of milling about and great campfires all over the resort …..Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbors noisy party than being there.  Fun had by all on three different rafting trips.  A mild and hard core group on Saturday and another group conquered the class 4 waves on Sunday!!  Amazing as always was the Staff at Chilliwack River Rafting and of course the amazing group of members we had from both the Seattle and Vancouver Clubs

 

 

One Thing You Can Count On Is Always Having Fun At Our Singles Events!

July 19, 2014
Bowling with Events and Adventures

One thing you can count on is always having fun at our singles events here at our Vancouver Club.  Saturday night at the bowling held this true, as we had a tonne of laughs and jokesters as usual.  Making our gutter games more fun was the cheering for everyone when they couldn’t hit a pin, or in most cases, only left one standing.  IT was like a conspiracy all night but the cheers and high fives were always around.  We even went by nicknames all night and that sure made for some interesting conversation, we had Chris the Fritz, & Da Hound, Slick and even Sexyboy, (which by the way he never answered too)  Don’t forget the sub in that we had, who forgot that bowling shoes were needed on the lanes…After playing a few rounds most of us headed out in the rain to grab desert and keep the night rolling a little longer.  Always a blast and can’t wait til the next!!

 

 

 

 

Have You Ever Tried Arial Yoga?

December 22, 2013
yoga

Do you remember your gym class teacher or coach always saying to yourself or teammate when you were younger, not to say you couldn’t do it, because chances are you could. Well, the saying of the night at our Ariel silks class a couple weeks ago, was just that….”I can’t do that?”. And as if that coach was standing right there, we sure could. The night was filled with laughs and things most of us had never tried. Starting with making a simple knot in our silks, to trying an upside down move hanging just from one leg. Jen from Tantra Fitness was amazing, warming us up with some aerobics and then teaching us some mind bending moves. We even got to hang in our own cocoons and relax for a bit when we were finished. Truly an amazing workout and tonnes of fun!! We all went out for a bite to eat afterwards and enjoyed each other’s company for a while longer. Thanks girls for an amazing event.

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

A Gourmet Feast!

December 10, 2013
Cooking Class

Seeing that we have already celebrated Thanksgiving here in Canada, it was fitting that we visited Kitchen Riddles in Burnaby last night and made a gourmet feast of our own.  Getting instruction from Chef Ben and being looked after by owners Antonio and Morgan, we surely dined in style last night!! While some of us do cook and have some chopping skills, not all of us knew the fancy names of certain dicing techniques, nor did we know how easy it was to make our own ricotta, (and cheaper).  We started by dicing and chopping mushrooms, shallots & garlic and added Ricotta to make our very own ravioli stuffing.  Next, getting our pasta thin enough to make ravioli, all kinds of shapes, some stuffed more than others, but all delicious.  Topped with a arugula salad we took our plated upstairs to dine together in candlelight!! Once we were finished our main, we made our way back down to the kitchen to learn how to make a delicious and rich, melting Chocolate Lava cake, of course with hand whipped cream flavoured with Bailey’s.  Now the pictures tell the true story – we are really big goofballs when it comes to cleaning up bowls and spoons with deliciousness all over!! Couldn’t have been tastier or more fun!!  We all left with full tums and a little more knowledge of how easy it is to cook really yummy food…Yum – Yum

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver

An Amazing week in Vanvouver!

December 1, 2013
Vancouver Flying

We’ve had an amazing week in Vancouver, despite it getting dark way to quick and it being a little frosty in the morning, we’ve been having a blast. Friday was a good one – getting to be the only ‘kids’ in Science World, 400 adults got to playing with balls, boats and blocks even some beer goggles and some bean bags. This place is truly a children’s wonderland, and when you put a bunch of adults in front of all the interactive learning games, the fun never ends!! Throw a little challenge in and the laughs are endless too! On Sunday we also took a thrill ride over our country on simulated ride located at Canada Place. Another group of 30+ came out to enjoy the scenes from across our country and then we all spent a lazy afternoon mingling at a local joint nearby. I can never get over the awesome things we get to do day in and day out in this city, and it’s pretty cool sharing the experience with amazing people!!

Ambrea Event Manager Vancouver