Group Update (2022 ~ 2045)

Hello Fellow Hikers/Friends,

Here are some updates and a roadmap of this group for your information.

1. Membership and RSVP
Please check "What we're about" of this group for the membership rules and RSVP policy if you didn't read them yet. You will also figure out what kind of group we are.

2. Donations
I made this group for people who may want to explore the nature, make friends, and contribute our community. I don't do any business with this Meetup, but fee ($198/year) is required to maintain this group. So, I need your support for that.

Donations are volunteering and I do prefer an old style (face to face) rather than one click of smartphone to transfer just a number ($). If you prefer online, Zelle is also available. We will have some featured events every year and I will bring a transparent jar. If you consider to donate, please bring cash no more than $10. All donated money will be used for only Meetup fee and let you know the process transparently.

2022

• Members (including myself) donated $123 during one weekend events.

2023

• Members donated $177.63 ($100 in-person, $10 online, $67.63 camping).

2024

• Members donated $90 ($29 in-person, $41 online, $20 camping) as of June 7th.

Thank you so much to support this group!

2.5. Group Photo
We do have a group photo time during the event. It doesn't happen every event, but be aware if you don't want to show yourself on the public. It's up to you whether you join or not. No one will force you or give a sign for that. Also, I will update the main photo of this group 2~3 times every year and I will pick up donation event photo in most cases.

3. Group T-Shirt
We may make group t-shirts in the future for members who may want. I am not familiar with t-shirt design or making of clothes, so please send me DM if you're familiar or know any connection. We can discuss about that later.

4. Event/Assistant Organizers
It's been less than one year since I started this group and I still spend a lot of my time for new events. I plan to assign some people as organizers this year. I believe these people are all decent and have integrity.

5. Group Vision
Current goal is to have up to 1,000 members and at least 80% of the members are active. It's not necessary people join the event every week, but they're involved in the group and interacting with others. This means that I will remove some people from this group based on the membership rules and RSVP policy.

6. Roadmap (2022-2045)

• Phase I (2022-2025)

2022: Start Group, Assign Organizers, Local Hiking/Events, Initiate to Remove Inactive Members.
➡️ Completed! 👍👍👍

2023: Initiate Camping (Gears + Warming-Up), Local Hiking/Events.
➡️ Completed! 👍👍👍

2024: Expand Camping (Mid-West & South). Local Hiking/Events.
➡️ In Progress

2025: Camping (East & West), Initiate Backpacking, Jin Plans to Step Down Organizer.
➡️ Initiated!

• Phase II (2026-2029)

2026: Camping/Backpacking (National Parks), Initiate Oversee Trips.
2027: America (North & South)
2028: Europe I (Central)
2029: Europe II (Scandinavia)

• Phase III (2030-2035)

2030: Asia I (South Korea & Japan)
2031: Asia II
2032: Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)
2033: Africa
2034: Antarctica (TBD)
2035: Annapurna (Nepal)

• Phase IV (2036-2040)

2036: Ice Age Trail
2037: Potomac Heritage Trail
2038: Appalachian Trail
2039: Continental Divide Trail
2040: Pacific Crest Trail

• Phase V (2041-2045)

2041: Road Trip 50 States I
2042: Road Trip 50 States II
2043: Road Trip 50 States III
2044: Zero Gravity Experience
2045: Total Solar Eclipse

Phase II might be flexible since it's still 3~4 years away. Phase III, IV, and V are TBD. Some hiking/camping sites for 2024-2025 will be Mammoth Cave (KY), Mark Twain National Forest (MO), Rock Island State Park (WI), Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH), Porcupine Mountains (MI), Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD), Niagara Falls (Canada), Shawnee National Forest (IL), etc.

Please feel free to send me any suggestions. Thank you!

Jin