The Story of How This Group Got Started
This group started when my daughter was about 6 months old and I was feeling very isolated. My friends didn't have kids, and while they enjoyed my daughter, online message boards and high school friends on Facebook were my only link to other parents. As the wife of a sloper, the isolation was that much more obvious when I was alone with just my sweety pie girl for two weeks at a time. We both needed to interact withour peer group.

After not having great success with other meetup groups in the area, I figured I'd start my own and see what happened. Within weeks we had members and were meeting up. It was amazing how quickly the group took off, which really shows how many other parents were feeling isolated and needed something like this.

The Challenges of Being a New Parent in Alaska
Alaska is such an amazing place to live, but it can be hard to make new friends here. Many people come to Alaska from somewhere else, move often, move seasonally or just have their own interests that keep them within a small group. Also, in the cold winter months, it's not as appealing to get out and try to meet people. Anchorage is a very transient town.

What I love about this group is that we get out, we meet up, and we socialize multiple times a week. It's not a lot of pressure and it's not something that only happens on one day or at one time. There are LOTS of meetups with this group because there are lots of different schedules. Naps, work, classes, playdates, Dr. appointments, etc, can get in the way of a monthly meetup, but with this group there are events daily.

I encourage anyone who joins this group to really take advantage. Don't just join and then make excuses to miss out on meetups, get out and meet other parents. The parents and kids in the group are some amazing people with such different experiences and lifestyels. There really is "something for everyone" with this group- and if there isn't, I always encourage members to take on a hosting duty and host the event that fits your needs.

Other Resources:
We have had two amazing outdoor groups formed within our meetup, Taiga Trekkers and Skedaddle All Weather Playgroup. Tiaga Trekkers has moved on to The Outdoor Families Network, which you should join if you are an outdoor family or interested in becoming one (I know I have seen much more of the state thanks to Taiga Trekkers).